Hey! Need your help.
I'm applying for the Fashion Business Management (MA) and I want to get your tips about my personal statement.
I am from Eastern Europe, where you never apply with essays or interviews, only with grades, so I'm quite new to application-letters. So please, give me any constructive critique you have!
P.S. my english is quite poor...
THANKS IN ADVANCE! :)
I never wanted to become better - I always wanted to become the best! As a teenager I started to think seriously about my carrier. I wanted a speciality related to business that would reveal my creative potential. I agree with Richard Branson that business has to be attractive, joyful, and that it should awaken one's creative instincts. I have tried myself in a number of different business areas. I was comfortable with all of them; however, I have always felt a lack of stylistic and aesthetic elements. The fashion business is interlaced with art and it does not constrain creativity, therefore this field interests me the most. Even as a child I used to pay a lot of attention to the image. The image in a broad sense - not only the clothing, but also the surrounding environment. Exquisite visual expressions give me satisfaction, which is why I always have great curiosity to examine shop window displays, fashion shows, TV commercials and video clips. In my opinion, every one of them tells a unique story and enriches one's aesthetic experience. I do not want to be a mere fashion admirer, I want to live in fashion and be a part of it. That is why I want to study in an MA course of Fashion Business Management at the University of XXX.
Unfortunately, there is no institution of higher education in XXX that would offer even a similar field of study. My decision to study in the University of XXX is based on the fact that it is one of the worlds's leading centres of Fashion. Therefore, I have no doubt that studying in this university will provide me with profound knowledge of high-level fashion management and its peculiarities. In addition, the international experience, the broader outlook and the new contacts will undoubtedly be helpful in future to develop a personal business or to get employed in the field of fashion.
As a secondary school student I actively participated in a program called "XXX Junior Achievement", which was intended for the young people to cultivate the entrepreneur qualities. I have worked at a company of practical training and I have undergone an international apprenticeship in the field of business in Poland. Furthermore, I have been developing my computer skills in XXX University of Technology and I have been certified in "Small and E-Business Organization". These complementary activities have been an opportunity for me to improve my communication skills, they have taught me consistency and determination as well as organization and time planning.
I am a graduate of Bachelor studies of Economics at the University of XXX. During the first year of my studies, I underwent six-month apprenticeship training in the SEB bank in order to apply the theoretical knowledge in practice. Later I engaged in a small business and established relations with suppliers in China. I have offered a new product for the XXX youth market - a LED belt buckle. I have gained invaluable experience due to this undertaking, which allowed me to develop in the art of negotiation, to understand the stages of business development, the peculiarities of the product promotion and realization.
This year I will earn a master's degree in Marketing and Trade Management at the University of XXX. Due to the master's studies my approach to fashion has changed. Fascination with fashion as an object of aesthetics and beauty has grown into an interest in fashion as a matter of business. My course work consisted of extensive analysis of the global trademarks in various contexts of marketing, such as branding, consumer behaviour, sales management, and development of marketing strategies. I could say that the business of fashion is very intense and unstable, but flavoured with creativity and style. This fascinates me the most.
In addition, I have 6 years of qualified work experience in marketing, project management, areas of sales and customer services. Since the 3rd level of my Bachelor studies I have been working at the largest trading network in the Baltic States for construction, repair and household goods - "XXX". I work hard, and I demand the same from others. I am active, persistent and motivated. These qualities are the likely reason why I have been promoted already 4 times. At present, I am an Executive Manager of Wholesale Department. I am responsible for the development of the conceptions of loyalty programs, as well as campaign organization and sales promotion; I initiate the marketing actions, the image campaigns, the competitor research and other projects at the Wholesale Department. This job enabled me to look at business from various angles. However, the politics of corporate management highly constrains my self-realization and the creative potential, thus I seek professional change and I am ready to continue the studies for personal improvement.
Since 2010 I have been developing an e-commerce business of the beauty products, which participated in the national TV program "XXX" ("The Money Generation") and was recognized as the most successful start-up project. I also collaborate regularly with the local art galleries and fashion boutiques - I renovate their interior and consult them on issues of promotion and e-commerce.
I adore challenges and I am determined to try myself in new spheres of business. My aim is to specialize in fashion management and to become a professional in this field. I know very well the fundamental principles of business management and marketing, but I lack knowledge of how to apply them in the fashion industry. But I am creative, sensitive to details; I feel a great need for tasteful expression of a visual image and the aesthetics. I would also like to emphasize that in the Eastern Europe, and especially in the Baltic countries, there are very few highly qualified fashion managers conducting retail fashion business in a professional manner. Therefore, the Fashion Business Management MA would allow me to enter the retail fashion industry not only in the market of XXX, but also on the international level, especially now that the major retail fashion networks and the high fashion trademarks are rapidly expanding its activities in the region of Eastern Europe. But most importantly, due to these studies I will be able to realize myself by creating harmony between hobby, lifestyle and work.
I believe that my education, skills and personal qualities will meet the standards of the University of XXX and will allow me to be not only a perfect student, but also a professional in the field of fashion business. Thank you for your time considering my candidacy. Please find attached the employer's and the academic recommendations. I will be happy to provide further information about myself by e-mail or by telephone.
