“I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein
I believe the knowledge we acquire in schools and colleges is not education, but a means to it. I am curios towards exploration, with the belief that education is most valuable when it proffers solutions to real-life challenges.
My respect and inclination towards technology drove me to opt for maths, physics and chemistry in my higher secondary education. I am a keen reader of scientific journals, and I love watching TV series on technological developments; the ideas, debates, and discoveries are fascinating. It’s amazing how mankind has expanded understanding of the world we live in. After completing my high school, I pursued a course in Engineering because I knew it would give me the opportunity to learn and explore how the fundamentals of science are applied to create technology for practical and real purposes. My strengths have always been the power of imagination, strong analytical skills and empirical reasoning: which inspired my choice of a discipline that would harness the potentials.
My four-year degree undergraduate course has not only provided me with strong fundamentals but has also encouraged me to acquire more knowledge and continue with research-related activities. I am particularly interested in how Engineering and the application of theoretical ideas to real-life situations have changed the way we live, for example, the advancement in aviation, discovery of new materials with infinite prospects in the areas of technology and medicine, development of clean energy, as well as innovations in artificial intelligence. Having enjoyed real expertise in engineering processes and the theoretical science that lies behind mechanics, I am eager to immerse myself in further academic studies that will maximize my professional skills, expertise and knowledge base. However, before joining the professional world, it is my desire to acquire specialist skills through completing a master’s degree program in Engineering field.
Presently, I am in the final year of my bachelor’s program at Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu, India, where I currently have a cumulative GPA OF 9.97/10. Some of my educational highlights include an award of excellence for ranking first out of a total 6,000 final year students in the university. I also emerged winner at the zonal round of 1,000 participants at India’s Biggest Networking Competition (IBNC) in 2016. In addition, I was awarded Merit certificate for distinctive performance in National Science Olympiad with a rank of 300 out of 50,000 competitors between May 2008 and April 2010.
It’s true that technological proficiency and creative virtuosity are the internal strengths of an enterprise but another determinant of success in competition, in an uncertain world economy, is possession of excellent management skills. Engineering is a process of formulas and theories, while management is a process of practically applying theories, both working towards a greater end. I have completed relevant coursework on Industrial Engineering & Management, Operations Research, and Project Management. In preparation for the challenges of my professional life, I’ve also obtained some effective course-based training with activities and internships.
I successfully completed undergraduate research projects on the following: Impact of Heating Mode of Sintering Techniques on Aluminium Alloys, Machinability Characteristics in Wet Machining of Aluminium Alloys, Microstructural Evolution of Iron-based Alloy Compacts Produced Through Field-assisted Sintering, Crushing Performance of Different Geometrical Structures of Epoxy Composite Tubes, Free Vibration of Damaged and Undamaged Hybrid CFRP/GFRP Composite Laminates, and Machinability Characteristics in Dry Machining of Nimonic 263 Alloy Using Coated Carbide Inserts. My contributions to the development of science and technology can be found in academic works published on the International Journal of
Mechanical Engineering and Technology. As the President of Student Council at VIT University, among other positions in my portfolio, I have applied effective leadership and management skills through conferences and inter-personal relations aimed at making a meaningful impact in the world we live in.
I have striven to achieve a well-defined career goal and develop my attitude towards technology, curiosity, and proficiency in academic subjects to achieve that goal. The master’s program in Management Science & Engineering will be a major step to span the gap between me and my life dream; that is, a renowned techno-commercial entrepreneur at the world stage, especially in India where there are ample opportunities for development of indigenous technology and availability of trained manpower. In furtherance, the MS program will be an opportunity to work with the guidance of learned and experienced professors and to exchange ideas with like-minded international students, which will equip me with the required skills, knowledge and expertise for a real-world adventure.
I look forward to gaining knowledge and skills in courses such as Concepts of Financial Management, Accounting, Management of Engineering Teams, Financial Engineering and Engineering Project Management while keeping up with the developments in the field of technology. I am self-motivated and have the ability to set and achieve realistic goals. I’ve been inspired by the different applications of cutting-edge mechanical engineering development and would feel very privileged to be close in these through completing a master’s degree at your reputable School of Engineering, which is considered among the world’s best.
Columbia, with its esteemed reputation, exceptional faculty, and advantageous location in the hub of the corporate world, would be the perfect fit for someone with my professional aspirations. The discipline of Management Science and Engineering originated in the USA, and the MS&E program offers the ideal platform to take on yearlong consulting engagements for clients in the industry, which will augment my core skills vis-à-vis the tasks and challenges I will face as a consultant. In addition, your program and research initiatives, an interesting blend of technical and business courses, are squarely in my areas of interest.
I look forward to a positive response from the admission committee.
