personal statement mba

Globalization helps close the gap in cultural understanding and diversity in tradition. While certain aspects of culture like religion, social customs and norms remain untouched at a professional level, capitalism has been an able catalyst for socio-economic change in various nations. Multinational businesses and corporations contribute in overcoming global differences by having people from different ethnic backgrounds work together towards a common goal.

Keeping these things in mind, I look forward to becoming a contributor to, and catalyst of, these changes in the global market. With a degree in Industrial Relations and International Business as part of my professional arsenal, I believe that a higher education will help further hone my skills as an individual and as a professional in the field of Public Relations.

My family owns a multinational manufacturing company that caters to clients all over the world. Even while growing up, I’ve always known that I wanted to be an integral part in the operation of our company. However, I aim to try my hand at the family business only after I have gained the vital education and knowledge that are necessary for me to excel in the field.

It is often said that we can only truly grow if we tackle life’s obstacles head on, and that an individual flourishes the most when she/he emerges triumphantly from adversities and trials. I believe that I have gone through a significant number of trials, and now I am prepared to take everything I learned from those experiences and apply them to even more obstacles that I am now ready to face.

Being an immigrant, one of the obstacles I had to overcome was the language barrier. I struggled to learn the intricacies of the English language as I spent years listening to people talk and use slang and other colloquial terms. I have to admit that this linguistic handicap affected the way I chose the roles that I played in my previous jobs. I always went for the less public roles, and restricted myself to the technical aspects of business because that’s what I was good at.

Eventually, I gained enough confidence to treat the English language as my own. I no longer needed to seek solace in numbers, as accounting and finance are two of the fields I am highly skilled at. I believe that my pursuit of a higher education will help me to put my communication skills to the test, and further push me out of the shell I have built for myself.

I am aware that Public Relations work requires the ability to effectively communicate with people. But I also believe to be an effective businessperson, one also has to be able to listen to clients and be perceptive of their needs. Having played the role of spectator and negotiator, I believe that I have the combination of skills required to do well in the field of Public Relations.

Thank you for your consideration.

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There are no wrong choices, only experiences to be gained. The richness of my life experiences makes it difficult for me to single out an accomplishment that I value above all others. I have realized however, that the achievements I am most proud of are those that somehow contributed to the betterment of society. This realization helped to ultimately shape my decision to make a quantifiable difference in my community by integrating this sense of humanity into the career I plan to pursue.

Self-awareness can only be gained if we keep our eyes and mind open to diverse ideas and worldviews. One of the ways to gain self-awareness is through traveling, and exposure to different cultures. During my trips around the world, I have come across people and places with various traditions and cultural idiosyncrasies that I probably wouldn’t have understood or readily accepted were it not for my parents and the years I spent living in a multi-cultural neighborhood.

This sense of cultural diversity is now more important than ever. Developments in technology and economic trends show that we are now moving towards a highly globalized marketplace. If one is to be highly successful in the realm of business and entrepreneurship, he must take into consideration the different negotiating styles and business approaches and systems that vary across nations. It is no longer enough to reach the globally expansive market; a good businessman must be able to bridge global distances in terms of market development.

Someone once told me that perseverance is the hard work people do after they tire of the hard work they’ve already done. Looking back on my accomplishments, I realize that the ones I value most are those that I achieved by going that extra mile – by not stopping even after I’ve reached the finish line. I believe that people can only grow emotionally and intellectually if they push themselves out of their comfort zones. In my case, pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration is a scary and exhilarating venture. I am aware that an MBA will take a lot of work, and there are no certainties. Yet I feel that my pursuit of an MBA is essential if I am to grow as an individual, and to take me to the next stage in my life.

People say that rewards are directly proportional to the magnitude of the risk taken to reap them. The more we throw ourselves into unfamiliar terrains and unstable situations, the more likely we are to learn about ourselves and from there, make extraordinary changes in the world we live in. An MBA will provide the education and training I need to apply the theoretical concepts of finance, business, and economics as I go out into the world of business and strive to effect changes in the global market.

I thank you for your consideration.

Photo Credit : ToastyKen

A chief is a man who assumes responsibility. He says “I was beaten,” he does not say “My men were beaten.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The nature of politics is that of a constant struggle between self-preservation and unrequited public service. Individuals who venture into this field should be ready and willing to place the needs of others ahead of their own. But like in any other field, the means to get to where you want in the field of politics is often in conflict with the end goals.

The key to causing the least amount of hardship to the people one serves lies in making well-informed decisions in matters of much importance to the nation. And I believe a higher degree in Public Policy will provide me with the knowledge I need to make such decisions should I someday be given the chance to hold public office.

By assessing the works and legacies of powerful world politicians,  I have come to realize that leaders are often burdened with the struggle of accepting that no single decision will ever benefit all of their followers. It is the duty of a public official to devise ways to make decisions that will benefit the many, but to the detriment of very few. This fearlessness of taking risks for the benefit of the many, while working towards progressive political goals, is what makes public service all worthwhile.

Following the completion of my Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration, I experienced holding leadership positions for various corporations and international organizations. The work that I did was constantly subject to critiquing from peers as well as from the general public, but this did not stop me from striving to work for the betterment of others. By focusing on my work’s vision and purpose, I withstood the political pressure I was constantly faced with and turned it into a productive, motivating force behind my actions.

I feel that my business experience is meant to be translated into productive work that would contribute to society. While a lot of business students would opt to venture into corporate entrepreneurship to pursue financial success, I want to focus instead on applying my acquired knowledge in the context of public service. A higher degree in Public Policy will help me gain a clearer understanding of the various socio-economic systems at work that are essential to the realization of my envisioned goals for society.

Most importantly, I believe that a Masters degree in Public Policy will expose me to the  hardships and realities of public service. Experiential learning, coupled with systems theories, will play a vital role as I strive to carve a future as a successful leader. Assuming responsibility and learning to take accountability for my actions are ongoing struggles that I intend to overcome as I go through various trials in my life. With a good educational background and rich experiences in my arsenal, I look forward to serving my country’s people and realizing my nation’s potential to the fullest.

Thank you for your consideration.

Photo Credit : lumaxart