Personal Statement
Applied Program: MBA

As a professional who graduated from Electrical Engineering Department of Tongji University, I would like to apply for MBA program at your esteemed university. Through this program, I expect to develop myself into an ideal brand of professional with interdisciplinary knowledge, with knowledge both in management and in a particular technical field of specialization.

This determination is the result of my work experience during the past decade. When I first worked at a HongKong company (10 DASCOM) to undertake software development, I experienced the advantages of teamwork. Later, I worked as manager of a sub-project of software development at Suzhou ZhongHao Electronics Company. I became increasingly conscious of the importance of management. I came to discover that in terms of software development, China lacks sound project management and software engineering. During this period, I conducted some practices according to the requirements of software engineering. The result was surprising—not only the efficiency was highly enhanced, the quality of the products was also significantly improved. The number of bugs in the software was greatly reduced. This result significantly aroused my enthusiasm to apply software engineering to the later-phase software development.

Since 1995, I have been working at Suzhou Broadcast & Television Information Network Co., Ltd, a larger-scale company compared to my previous working units. I was wholly devoted to the overall programming of several information systems such as that of charging and office, editing management system. My dedicated efforts finally elevated the comprehensive administration of internal affairs of the company to a higher computer-aided level. After designated as the permanent deputy director of the Office of Technology, I was in full charge of technological planning and complementation in all the aspects. One year later, in virtue of my outstanding work performance, I was promoted to manager of the Department of Technological Development. During my tenure of office, I undertook the construction of new-generation CATV network, which was the largest project in the company’s history with a long-term cycle and a vast number of department personnel. I took an all-round responsibility for this project from the very beginning till it was put into operation, and conducted a series of preparatory tasks, including investigation and study, planning, designing and marketing, which led to the accumulation of my abundant experience.

In 2000, I was mainly engaged in the projects of Digital TV and Access Network, which aimed at providing the users with digital TV and high-speed online services. Since these projects directly affected all the departments in the company, their successful completion could greatly enhance the organizational and managerial abilities of each department. When dealing with the new knowledge required by these projects, I proceeded it from two sides: on one hand, I tried to upgrade my own knowledge structure; on the other hand, I made every endeavor to cultivate and train the talented personnel, recruiting the talents we were in urgent need of and simultaneously training all the already existing technicians. Special efforts were also made to promote the communication and exchange of views between them and implant the concept of market in them. My painstaking and conscientious work finally paid off with an elite technical team. As a reward for my excellent fulfillment of my duty, I was appointed as deputy general engineer in 2001. For several consecutive years in my work, I was awarded the prize of Excellent Worker and Excellent Academic Pacesetter. Apart from that, I issued many articles on the collected works for the company’s exclusive use.

I should ascribe my outstanding achievements in management to my specialty, electrical and electronic technology. Tongji University, one of the top and most prestigious universities in China, enabled me to lay a solid foundation in professional knowledge. My interest was in computer, and I self-studied most of the compulsory courses for students majored in computer by every possible means. I became the computer genius in my department. Though my overall undergraduate GPA was not very high, my consummate computer skills offset this defect and contributed a lot to my later work performance.

My graduation design was Application of Image Processing in the Assembly Line, and I dealt with the part of image processing in this large project. By consulting vast technical literature and pondering deeply over it, I ventured to change the framework fixed by the supervisor, and successfully rendered a perfect and novel plan. I was then highly appraised by my supervisor with my bachelor thesis rated Excellent.

I began my graduate program in Electrical and Information in 1999 at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. With in-depth understanding of the great importance of management science, I reckon I am in urgent want of an overall and systematic study of Management. Pursuing further studies abroad could enable me to grasp the most advanced knowledge of management, have a direct contact with western culture, concepts and way of thinking, and widen my breadth of vision. I showed keen interest in every facet of Management, particularly Tactical Management. The primary goal of my plan was to found a solid theoretic base, including management of business affairs, tactical management, technical management, risk control, and management of human resources. If I could successfully master all the knowledge in the field of management, I would then be back to my present company to put into practice all I have learned.

Edinburgh University is one of the six largest and most prestigious universities with time-honored history in UK. What most fascinats me is its excellent tradition, grave and down-to-earth intellectual atmosphere. My long-cherished dream in my life is to study in a top university like this. Its MBA program enjoys a great reputation in the world. In terms of pedagogical resources, academic achievements, and other conditions, Edinburgh University can be ranked first-class in every aspect. Thus I am determined to devote myself to studies and practice there, and keep myself abreast with the latest developments in my chosen field. Upon completing my degree program, I will return to China to serve my country. Though the road to my academic pursuit in a foreign country is not so smooth and beset with challenges, I am fully convinced that I have already been well prepared and qualified for meeting these challenges with great courage and confidence. Life is just for once for everyone, so in my mind, its true meaning dwells in facing up to the challenges until you eventually come out as a winner.