Search results for 'tag:Articles tag:Personal statements' matching tags 'Articles' and 'Personal statements'

Re: Please help me with my motivation letter , please its urgent

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:17:50 GMT

Hi,

I think the best way to approach this is to break it into 3 sections; why this subject; why you; and are you interesting and unique. So, I'd definitely expand on what you've got - I'd probably aim to write 1 - 2 pages of properly spaced A4. The most important thing to remember is that this may be your only opportunity to sell yourself to the admissions tutor. And it's also worth bearing in mind that itâs a double edged sword â while a great supporting statement will impress, a poor personal statement will damage your chances of success.

Why this subject? Ideally you should sum up your feelings for a subject in a short, snappy sentence. You need to really capture the reason why you are interested in the subject.

Why you? You will need to show that you would be a good student and are suited to the subject you have chosen.

Are you interesting? What experiences have you had that would bring something extra to the university community

This is just a brief answer to your question. Check out this interesting article on writing university supporting statements.

---
Daniel

Re: Please help me with my motivation letter , please its urgent

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:49:27 GMT

Need some help please. - University application(s)

LawStudent — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:55:14 GMT

Hi,

I've literally signed up in the last 5 minutes and I know it may be a bit cheeky to ask for help in my first post, but I really am desperate.

I need to finish off with a few lines for my closing statement, so any tips you can give me for that would go down excellent.

Well, I am applying for a law degree at Universities and I'm not sure whether my personal statement is up to scratch. Here it is and I welcome any suggestions/constructive criticism. I appreciate any kind of reply.

Thanks.

(Oh, im from the UK)
_______
I have always been interested in legal comprehension. I'm fascinated by how legalities control every step in life. About 5 years ago I came across a law book which my father had kept. This book prompted me to find out more about the compelling subject. As the years have gone on I've learnt considerably more but I know that there is still a lot to learn.

In A-Level law I have enjoyed studying strict liability, the homicide act and murder cases because these are very intriguing areas, with the complexity of cases and various law's adding to the enjoyment to these sectors of law. I keep up to date with current affairs and I am a frequent reader of various broadsheets. I find it compelling to read about precedents set in law for previous cases and comparing it to more recent ones. I spend two hours a week in a debate class at my local youth center where we argue about controversial topics in world news. I believe this has increased my confidence and allows me to get my viewpoint across to others in a clear and concise manner.

In July 2005 I attended work experience at Vauxhall Motors in Leicester. Here I shadowed administrative staff to learn the in's and out's of the office. What I gathered from this experience was invaluable. I learnt how to manage time to reach strict deadlines and targets by capitalising on existing strengths to my full potential. I improved my communication skills by talking to other staff in a professional manner and I learnt how to conduct myself in meetings. I learnt valuable skills which Iâm already finding useful. Last term I spent two weeks at a solicitors firm. I shadowed a solicitor and I gained knowledge on how to approach people needing legal advice in a professional way.

Academically I am a self motivated student and have a competitive drive therefore I know a law degree would be most suitable and the consequent stepping stone in my ambition to practice law as a career. I am a dedicated and very hardworking student. By going to university I will be able to explore the areas of law that I havenât yet come across. The ability to work in a group and independently is a skill I possess. I am able to carry out extensive research and identify the relevant information. University has a lot to offer, with one of the main ones being the all-encompassing career prospects after the completion of the degree.

After completing my degree I want to become a solicitor. Iâve already researched the career and have clear ideas about where I want to go after I have obtained a degree. I have researched about what a solicitor is expected to do, what qualities a solicitor might have and also information about the sort of salary that a solicitor would get.

Writing articles on the British legal system is a great passion of mine. I have set up a website whereby users can subscribe and receive a weekly newsletter and general information about the legislative process, policing powers, various case law and many other similar topics. I feel that Research in and out of college has helped me set up this website. I am a regular snooker player and I partake in regular voluntary work by teaching basic snooker training to children aged 10-14. Chess is a hobby and I enjoy playing with family. The level-headedness and patience involved has definitely developed my analytical skills.

Statement of Purpose in Food Science: correct me plz

Retsiger — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:47:17 GMT

Dear forum

I'm new here, finding this forum while searching for some paraphrases that are used in my Statement of Purpose (SoP), while applying for a PhD in Food Science.

Then, I am lucky to find this forum, and I post my SoP here with the hope that someone, probably with a same interest, may read with me and point out some flaws in my writing. I am not a native speaker so feel free to correct me.

Thanks alot for your time.

===============================================================================

Objective:

Having had opportunity to do research in both academic and industrial institutions, I have acquired the ability to demonstrate strong professionalism, competence, and interest in flavour chemistry, food structure and sensory analysis. Being prepared for further development, I wish to do a thesis in Food Science at the School of â¦.

Scientific background:

After graduation from âXYZ University of Technologyâ, Country X in Food Technology, I pursued the master in Food Science at XYZ, Country Y. Despite the fact that there were some main subjects I had not the opportunity to learn in Country X such as molecular biology and neurology, my performance on the theoretical examination was very satisfactory. Especially, through my diploma work entitled âInfluence of texture on the release of taste compounds while chewing cheese productsâ [1, 2], I have acquired a good knowledge and technical skills on the release of sodium and saltiness perception during food consumption. This work did lead me into the flavour research, a fascinating area which incorporates different aspects, from food ingredients and structure to their interaction with consumers and finally to understand food choice and acceptance.

With a perspective to strengthen my scientific competences, I challenged myself afterward in an industrial research environment, Research Centre ABC where I have been working on an interdisciplinary applied project entitled âMulti-modal mechanisms of fat perceptionâ as a research assistant. The project aims at understanding the principles and rules governing fat perception and covers studies on psychology, physiology and perceptual aspects. I involved into three out of six research themes of the project, including:

(1) Assessing the textural attributes affected byâ¦.. [3]

(2) Investigating whether there is a â¦.. [4, 5]

(3) Characterizing the release of â¦â¦..

From March 2006 to present, I have been focusing on the third theme, in which I have responsibility to do literature research, propose scientific questions, design and run experiments , and finally to delivery results. I have chance not only to reinforce my skills in sensory analysis, but also to take up the most powerful technique to analyze online aroma release, ABCDE (Project name). Besides, studying on different food models, from simple emulsion, isamulsion (a self-assembly structure), double emulsion to applied products, such as MNPQ sauce and mayonnaise, did give me a good understanding on food structure. In this activity, I have obtained very impressing results on isamulsion that may open some applications in food service and culinary. These findings are going to be patented in May 2007 and a scientific article is also under preparation [7].

Furthermore, I attended many scientific seminars, mini-symposiums frequently organized at Research Centre ABC, training courses (Course A, B, C), and particularly Workshop XYZ 2005 . That really helped me to get a larger view on research of Food Science. Finally, the most precious experiences I have actually gained through my time at Research Centre ABC are communication skills, the ability to manage research activity, a practical and critical mind in doing research.

Target project:

I am highly interested in the project entitled âABCDEFGHIKâ proposed by Dr. SomeOne, aiming to develop and demonstrate advanced technologies that allow up to XYZ% salt reduction in processed foods. With good skills in languages including English and French, strong background that meets the needs of project framework, I am confident to be a strong candidate for the position. Together with this personal statement, I enclosed a detailed proposal for this project.

References:

[1] Reference 1 (my paper/report)

[2] Reference 2 (my paper/report)

[3] Reference 3 (my paper/report)

[4] Reference 4 (my paper/report)

[5] Reference 5 (my paper/report)

Reference 6 (my paper/report)

[7] Reference 7 (my paper/report)

Reference 8 (my paper/report)

===============================================================================

Re: CV and mistakes

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 23:57:23 GMT

Brevity can be good but this is just a collection of lists at the moment. You need to make some areas more complete.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

I am a self-motivated and knowledge-hungry IT-Specialist with more than five yearsâ experience in the technical department of an Internet Service Provider. I have excellent communication skills and I am flexible, accurate and service-oriented with the ability to explain complex technical details. I work harmoniously and effectively in a team or alone , even under time pressure. I love challenges.

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

*Excellent troubleshooting and technical skills in a Network Operations Centre / Help Desk Support environment based on Service Level Agreements
*Strong knowledge of assembling, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting and upgrades of computer hardware, computer networks, peripheral equipment and systems
*Extensive expertise in installation, configuration, troubleshooting of Windows Server 2000/2003/SQL, desktop clients 95/98/ME/2000/XP and Mac OS X workstations
*Good knowledge of Linux/Unix with use experience of Debian and RedHat / Fedora
*Strong documentation skills including experience reviewing technical documents

WORK EXPERIENCE

Jul 2001 â Present: ISP Technician Company, Germany

My duties include

*1st and 2nd level help desk support, solving computer, server and network problems
*Installation and permanent support of over 100 Windows customer servers
*Responsibility for sourcing, purchasing and inventory of hardware and software
*Testing and evaluating of computer programs and new computer hardware
*Administration of two computer centres with more than 300 computer racks
*Documentation, coordination and scheduling of a 24x7 duty engineer team
*Sales assistance, recommendations regarding hardware and software acquisitions
*Assessing user training needs and training users in effective use of applications
*Writing and maintaining technical process documentations and user manuals
*Selecting and interviewing of IT related job applicants
*Responsibility as health and safety engineer

Sep 1995 â Jan 2001: Communication Engineer Company, Austria

My duties included

*Adapting server rooms, assembling equipment frames, cable ducts and computer racks
*Installation, configuration and repair of DSL telecommunication equipment
*Laying, connecting and running link tests of copper and optical fibre
*Topographic measurement and technical line position plans drawing

EDUCATION (what qualifications did these lead to? It's no good just saying where you studied - you have to say what you studied and the qualification)

Sep 1992 â Aug 1995: Company, Austria
Telecommunication engineering apprenticeship.

Sep 1991 - Jul 1992: Handelsakademie Location, Austria
Equivalent commercial academy ( I don't know what this means)

Jul 1991 â Aug 1991Company, Austria
Technical internship

Sep 1987 â Jul 1991Hauptschule Location, Austria
Secondary school

INTERESTS

I am very interested in computers and enjoy using the internet, web design and computer games. I also do a lot of travelling and have a strong interest in adventurous backpack travelling. I enjoy most outdoor sports, including jogging, cycling and skiing. I also read a lot, especially technical articles and science fiction.

PERSONAL

*Date of Birth: 1st July 1900 are you quite sure about that?
*Nationality: German
*Driving Licence: Full, clean licence
*Health: Excellent health record

LANGUAGES

*I am a native speaker of German. I also speak English fluently to an upper-intermediate level and have a basic knowledge of Spanish.

REFERENCES

Referees available on request.

CV and mistakes

Schubi — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 15:34:50 GMT

Hello!

I wrote my CV in English, but since my mothertongue is German, I fear my CV is far from being perfect. So please who can give me a hand and check out if there are some mistakes?

Thanks beforehand!

Max Mustermann
69 East End · West Town · London A1 2BC
Mobile: (0123) 4567890 · Email: email@address.net

PERSONAL STATEMENT

A self-motivated and knowledge-hungry IT-Specialist with more than five yearsâ experience in the technical area of an Internet Service Provider. Excellent communication skills, flexible, accurate, service oriented, with the ability to explain complex technical details. Can work harmoniously in a team or alone effectively, even under time pressure. Loves challenges.

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

*Excellent troubleshooting and technical skills in a Network Operations Centre / Help Desk Support environment based on Service Level Agreements
*Strong knowledge of assembling, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting and upgrades of computer hardware, computer networks, peripheral equipment and systems
*Extensive expertise in installation, configuration, troubleshooting of Windows Server 2000/2003/SQL, desktop clients 95/98/ME/2000/XP and Mac OS X workstations
*Good knowledge of Linux/Unix with use experience of Debian and RedHat / Fedora
*Strong documentation skills including experience reviewing technical documents

WORK EXPERIENCES

Jul 2001 â Present ISP TechnicianCompany, Germany

*1st and 2nd level help desk support, solving computer, server and network problems
*Installation and permanent support of over 100 Windows customer servers
*Responsible for sourcing, purchasing and inventory of hardware and software
*Testing and evaluating of computer programs and new computer hardware
*Administration of two computer centres with more than 300 computer racks
*Documentation, coordination and scheduling of a 24x7 duty engineer team
*Sales assistance, recommendations regarding hardware and software acquisitions
*Assessing user training needs and training users in effective use of applications
*Writing and maintaining technical process documentations and user manuals
*Selecting and interviewing of IT related job applicants
*Responsible health and safety engineer

Sep 1995 â Jan 2001Communication EngineerCompany, Austria

*Adapting server rooms, assembling equipment frames, cable ducts and computer racks
*Installation, configuration and repair of DSL telecommunication equipment
*Laying, connecting and running link tests of copper and optical fibre
*Topographic measurement and technical line position plans drawing

EDUCATION

Sep 1992 â Aug 1995Company, Austria
(Telecommunication engineering apprenticeship)

Sep 1991 - Jul 1992Handelsakademie Location, Austria
(Equivalent commercial academy)

Jul 1991 â Aug 1991Company, Austria
(Technical internship)

Sep 1987 â Jul 1991Hauptschule Location, Austria
(Equivalent secondary school)

INTERESTS

*Computers: internet, web design and computer games
*Travelling: strong interest in adventurous backpack travelling
*Sports: outdoor sports like jogging, cycling and skiing
*Reading: especially technical articles and science fiction

PERSONAL

*Date of Birth: 1st July 1900
*Nationality: German
*Driving Licence: Full, clean licence
*Healthiness: Excellent health record

LANGUAGES

*German: Native speaker
*English: Upper-intermediate
*Spanish: Basic knowledge

REFERENCES

Referees available on request.

one more motivation letter...please i need your help!

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 18:52:38 GMT

Hello everybody,

I am Italian and I am applying for a very competitive Graduate Programme in the UK and, as usual, I have to write a personal statement to be attached to the application with my personal motivation. I have been through this forum and found plenty of useful suggestions and information.
Now it's my turn. Can you please check my letter and make comments (the nastier the better), especially about the structure?

Thank you so much!
Paola

Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is â¦â¦â¦.. With this letter, I would like to apply as a graduate student for the Master of Science in Local Economic Development at your School.

I got a degree in Construction Engineer in December 2000 from the University of Tor Vergata in Rome. [I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LINK THIS SENTENCE TO THE REST, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO MENTION MY DEGREE AT THIS POINT BECAUSE IT HELPS UNDERSTANDING WHAT I WRITE BELOW. ANY SUGGESTIONS?]
Ever since I was a young child I have always been extremely interested in knowing new cultures and new languages as a way to widen my mind and my capacity of understanding people. Thatâs why I have always actively researched possibilities to live and study abroad. In fact, both at the High School and at the University I participated in exchange programmes that gave me the possibility to spend a period abroad studying in local educational institutions. When I was 17 years old I spent three months in New Zealand where I had the possibility to attend the high school and be integrated in the local community. Later, during my university studies, I won a scholarship to be an Erasmus student in Paris for a year in one of the Faculties of Architecture in Paris and another scholarship to participate to the Leonardo da Vinci program in an architecture firm. My first year in France had a very strong impact on my ideas about my future career. In a Faculty of Architecture the approach to the world of construction was completely different from the one at the Faculty of Engineering where I was studying. During that year I got exposed to new perspectives and in particular I learnt about the social aspects related to the world of construction. For the first time I realised how designing buildings could affect peopleâs lives and how the correct planning of cities had the power of improving their living conditions. I started realising then that I could give a very strong social and ethical meaning to the rather technical job of engineer. I can trace in that period the birth of my interest for the development as a subject to study and to be involved in.
Therefore in the last period of my studies and at the beginning of my career as a young engineer I tried to build up a parallel personal knowledge on this sector. Through the reading of articles and books on development and cooperation, and through the participation to conferences and public events, I became more and more aware of the fact that this was really the sector that interested me and I tried to reorient my working perspective and move forward.
I realised in fact that working in the field of development would fulfil two important needs I had and still have: to give an ethical dimension to my work and at the same time to satisfy my thirst for travelling and discovering new cultures.
I eventually succeeded to start working for an Italian NGO which was searching for engineers for post-war reconstruction projects in the Balkans. It is four years now that I have been working for that same NGO with increasingly higher responsibilities and positions and I shifted my main area of work from a technical participation to a more strategic one. In particular in the past two and half years I have worked as country representative of my NGO in Eritrea and Egypt.

The fact that my studies are not related to the way my work has shaped up hasn't really affected me nor created major difficulties. On the contrary I think that my degree can be considered a very important point of strength. In fact my studies provided me not only with a specific technical knowledge related to construction and building related issues. In fact, more than anything else, they gave me methodological tools to be used in different fields of research and provided me with a very methodical and systematic mental structure. In particular I developed strong analytical skills and the capacity to elaborate models to study the reality by seizing its most relevant aspects. I also developed a capacity of creating logical links among phenomena that apparently donât bear any relation with one other. Moreover my studies gave me the mental habit to always go into depth of things and not being satisfied with only the superficial evidence that comes out from the first approach.
In my working experience I have had many confirmations that the methodological skills provided by my studies can be a very powerful tool. In fact it was for me relatively easy to get acquainted with the main development-related theories and to learn and internalize in a short time completely new concepts. In a fairly short time I became effective and competent, being able to undertake varied and different responsibilities on different specific sectors of intervention. People I meet for my work are often surprised to discover that I am and engineer and that I didnât attend a specific course in development.

Now, after having worked for a few years in development, in different sectors and with different duties, I feel that I am at a turning point of my career and that it is time for me to move up and forward. In this I am guided by two different needs. On one side I feel the personal need to give a more organic and theoretical ground to the knowledge I acquired on-the-job. On the other side I need to develop more specific skill and I want to specialize in a more specific sector. My goal would be to become an expert in a particular field instead of having only many different unspecialised skills. The field of specialisation I have chosen is local development. In fact in the last year I have been working on projects related to Small and Micro Enterprises and their growth and I have become more and more interested in all the aspects related the local economic development in general.

My experience in an Italian NGO has been a very enriching one from a professional and human view point. I will always be very grateful to all the people I met and worked with. They transmitted to me their passion and dedication and they gave me very precious knowledge and advice. Nonetheless in my position now I have few possibilities to learn new skills or new concepts and I feel that my work has become a unchallenging daily routine. My plans now would be therefore to work for bigger international organisations such as UN agencies or consulting firms with a more stimulating work environment. There I would have the possibility to follow larger programs with a larger impact and work with top professionals.

I am aware that my plan is a very ambitious one and it needs to be carefully prepared. In order to achieve my goals a more solid academic background is absolutely mandatory because the competition is very high and I need to upgrade my skills and competencies. To take a year off from work is also a very challenging and radical decision. It implies a strong financial commitment both because of the actual costs incurred and for the waiver of a year salary. At the same time it entails absence from the working environment with no guarantees about the future possibilities. It requires therefore a very strong motivation and a very careful choice. That's why I think that the only winning decision is to study in a university providing the highest possible quality of academic training and with internationally recognised expertise

This is the reason why I have chosen the London School of Economics, for its international renown as leading institution in the field of development.
The Master of Science in Local Economic Development I have chosen would allow to improve my academic knowledge in the working field and to enhance my possibilities to pursue a career in an International Organisation. In fact the Master would allow me to deepen and widen my knowledge on development in general, to gain a very accurate understanding of local and regional development and to develop new specific skills.
could became a specialist in a sector that not only fascinates me a lot, but that is also growing and taking more and more place in the international agendas and that requires more and more professionals able to cope with the increasing challenges brought about by international situation.

I think I could contribute to this programme for in many ways. I am very tenacious and determined to pursue what I want to achieve and I never give up any challenge. I can bring to the program an overview from my experience in the working field, relating real problems that practitioners in the field of development are asked to tackle in real life and not only on the paper. I am used to studying and working in international environments that require very good communication skills, high tolerance and capacity of understanding different cultural behaviours and different ways to approach and solve problems. I am used to analyse and process large amount of data on complex issues in a quick and effective way in order to find solutions.

I am determined and confident that I make an exceptional candidate for the program. I believe I will not only be able to achieve high results, but to contribute substantially to the London School of Economics as well.

Yours faithfully,

Re: Help with formal letter to a university

Grzesio — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 22:18:02 GMT

Hello again:]

Here comes a behindhanded update:
I'd obtained all necessary info and prepared some background for my UCAS application form I'm working on presently.

I have to write a Personal Statement in which I'll have the chance to explain my reasons for applying. You know how crucial a good PS is and so you'll probably understand why I've chosen to use your mental and lore resources ;p.

Anyway, my space is very limited (template available on www.ucas.com/getting/apply05/ along with some technical instructions) and I have so much to pass on;].

Although the form is up to me the brochure "How to apply" specifically points out what I would want to write about:

* Why do I want to study in the UK?
* What evidence do I have to show that I can complete a higher education course taught in English?
* Have I had a position of authority or used my communication skills in any activity?

* Why I have chosen the courses I've listed?
* What interests me about chosen subjects? ("Include details of what you have read about the subject")
* What career plans I have after I complete my course.
* Any job, work experience, placement or voluntary work I have done, particularly if it is relevant to my subject. ("You may want to give skills and experience you have gained from these activities")
* Any involvement in widening participation schemes such as summer schools or mentoring activities.
* Involvement in master classes or other Gifted and Talented programmes.
* My future plans.
* Any subjects I'm studying that do not have a formal assessment.
* Any sponsorship or placements I have applied for.
* My social, sports or leisure interests.

==============
I have pointed out some of my prior attainments:
1. After one semester in my elementary school I have been promoted to higher class and considered a gifted kid;].
2. I had the best overall average of lower high school grades (5, 4 /6) of my school.
3. In high school I was approached by a newly-created periodical "LOL". I still write articles for them on a regular basis and they consider offering me a post of their younger correspondent from London.
4. I am a creative script-editor for a movie "300 minutes" that currently is being developed by young independent artists connected to milieu of "Lodzka Szkola Filmowa" (the best and most renowned polish drama school)
5. I have been attending summer courses at British Council's school English for You in Hastings where I have obtained second best score;].
6. I was a successful head of the Students Government (in the most difficult term of office in my entire high school history)
7. Now I'm a chairman of the European Club...
8. ...from which I have been awarded a place on an international exchange program with young students from Carcasonne (France) but unfortunately I haven't had a chance to go because I've lost my passport (and it was before Polandâs accession to EU).
9. Alongside my professors and friends I have been a part of a team that obtained a "Szkola z Klasa" title for my school in a social effort to raise the standard of education in Poland. The campaign was held under patronage of "Gazeta Wyborcza" (the most respective polish daily); The Polish-American Freedom Foundation and under honorary patronage of the Polish President.
==============

The thing is - I don't know how to start, with what I should begin? Furthermore: the list I have compiled makes up roughly for the 2/3 of my avaliable space in the template.

I know that it isn't a designed topic for essay writing, however; you know my case quite well. I'm looking forwart to any words of advice;].

Bye,

Re: PinkNails Wants Help with Essay

pinknails — Thu, 25 Nov 2004 00:20:55 GMT

Hi MountainHiker, I made a few changes...what do u think ?

Personal Statement1000 word limit
ESSAY A - Autobiographical Essay:

Give us your best writing. Tell us about yourself. You can include information on your family, significant persons, places and events in your life, what interests you, etc. You have some leeway with the writing format however overly dramatic or comedic writing including poetry or writing in the 3rd person is not encouraged. After reading your autobiographical essay the reader should be both informed and motivated to find out more about you.

Whenever something bothers me, I write about it. I am a literary explorer who has written for small entrepreneurial newspapers to a weather news channel. I have known I wanted to be a writer at the age of eight. My first journalistic experience occurred in 1996 as an active member of Torontoâs Metro Youth Council. I recorded the minutes of formal meetings and assisted facilitators with interactive youth programs addressing issues affecting youth, global concerns, crime, jobs, affordable education and various training programs. My notes formed the final proposal presented at the Conference of Major Metropolisâ in Tokyo, Japan, in 1996.

For the past twenty years I have spent my summerâs visiting my relatives in New York City and have developed an interest in going to school there. I am attracted to Columbia Universityâs magazine journalism program for its impressive alumni who have worked for major publications including GLAMOUR, Rolling Stones and The New York Times Magazine. Attending the Delacorte lectures given by leading editors in the industry will provide me with the information I need to become a writer and editor in the magazine industry. I am particularly interested in the spring workshops where students get the chance to create their own magazine prototypes from start to finish. Enrollment in Columbiaâs graduate program will also make me eligible for a fellowship in the Columbia Journalism Review.

In the future, I plan to work towards creating my own magazine or assist major publications in providing more of a representative voice that blacks can relate to. I have found that there is a lack of homebred magazines in Canada, that give a face to important issues ranging from health and relationships to finance and business and other issues affecting African Americans and African Canadians today. In my opinion, the Canadian and United States magazine, newspaper and television industries are very different. However, Americaâs media industry features far more diverse media outlets and opportunities for research. My goal is to work in a prestigious news, magazine or broadcast organization where I can bring both a Caribbean-Canadian and American perspective to my work.

Throughout my life, my education and work experiences have fuelled my desire to be involved in a professional media environment. My experience as a freelance writer for print and on-line magazines within Toronto has led to my interest in journalism. In October of 2002, I joined Urban Vibez Magazine, a small urban hip-hop magazine in Toronto. As junior editor in chief I edited and directed the preparation of a their materials for publication.
One of the things I loved most about that job was the occasional argument between my co-workers over an ambiguous statement or questionable comma in the work I edited. The adrenaline of staying on top of deadlines and researching communication news for an upcoming issue is what I crave. Working with a small staff enabled me to work closely with their advertising, circulation and promotion departments, which helped me to understand the intricate details involved in publishing a monthly magazine. Overall, my time spent with Urban Vibez magazine helped me to realize the creative writing role I wanted to pursue in the magazine industry.

My love for being in front of or behind the camera further propelled me to intern for The Weather Network in their Marketing and Communications department in 2004. One of my biggest accomplishments was designing, writing and releasing a seasonal newsletter to The Weather Networks Extreme Weather Team. The outcome of this piece received positive responses from Extreme Weather Team members. Aside from assisting with contests and advertising initiatives, my experience with the Weather Network has reinforced my goal of pursuing Masters degree in magazine journalism so that I may assist behind the lens by writing for media magazines.

In 2001, I started a small job recruiting and resume consulting business in which I prepare my clients resumes and portfolios for todayâs job market. After graduating from high school, I stumbled into a five-week contract position with Ingram Micro, an information technology wholesaler, and quickly excelled to a full time marketing role. My experience at Ingram Micro enabled me to visualize how an Undergraduate degree could enhance my performance, communication skills and develop my craft of creative writing. It also helped in the development of my overall administrative skills. I eventually left Ingram Micro to pursue my Undergraduates degree in Communication Studies and Humanities at York University.

Aside from working part time and putting myself through school, my interests primarily involve freelance writing and the completion of my memoir. I have submitted several articles and opinion pages to print and on-line magazines, local newspapers and community bulletins within Toronto. The articles I have written address a variety of topics including health, relationships and child abuse issues as well cultural events and Internet piracy. I also enjoy reading and collecting magazines, acting and interior design. In addition, I have worked as an extra in the film and television industry in Toronto.

I consider my undergraduate education to be my greatest achievement. I paid for it, I struggled for it and I gave up a great deal of my life for it. I also realize that my educational path is not complete. As I approach the completion of my Undergraduate degree, I realize that in order to reach the level of success I have set for myself, I will need to further my education. That is why I am applying to Columbiaâs graduate program in Magazine journalism. My education, experiences and unique perspectives have prepared me for enrollment in Columbiaâs magazine journalism program. By attending Columbiaâs Masters of Journalism program, I will become more marketable as a journalist in Canada. This experience will enhance my understanding of the relationship between Canada and the United States by allowing a cross-cultural and balanced exchange of knowledge with those that I encounter.