Sample SOP - 3 for MBA

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

About self:

I, John (maiden name – John) had completed post graduate degrees in three fields, English Literature (MA), Human Resources Management (MHRM) and Computer Applications (MCA). Prior to this I did my under graduation in Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) with Botany, Zoology and Chemistry as optional subjects from Osmania University, Delhi and Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) from Bureau of Data Processing Systems, Delhi.

My Goal:

My goal is intellectual enrichment and put to good use my knowledge to help those in need. The experiences in my life have made me to appreciate the value of this goal, and I am bound to get the impetus to strive ceaselessly to attain my cherished goals in the new millennium. I am convinced that my study at your esteemed institute which has a long term record of academic excellence, backed by expert faculty and very good research facilities would be a meaningful and rewarding experience. I earnestly look forward to being a part of your academic community.

Work Experience:

My career commenced as a Computer Faculty in SOFTLAB (P) LTD. Later I joined the prestigious “International Crops Research institute for Semi-Arid Tropics” (ICRISAT) and continuing as an Executive (IT-Helpdesk) in the Information Systems Unit (ISU).

My major job responsibilities are:

1. Helpdesk team member – troubleshooting and maintaining a network of more than 600 PCs across the institute.
2. Software Development on need basis
3. IT Training and Project Guidance for MCA and M.Sc students.
4. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) activities.

Other activities:

• As an individual with good leadership qualities, am a responsible Gender and Diversity Associate, participating actively in the Gender Diversity Program (a program initiated by the CGIAR Group).
• Have been serving as one of the Directors for the ICRISAT Employees Welfare Co-operative Society.
• An active member of several organizing committees for various events at ICRISAT.
My future aspirations:

Apart from having a strong work experience, wish to promote the goal of pursuing higher education and engage in research with special emphasis in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with the following topics:

1. Promoting Entrepreneurship in Rural youth and women with the help of ICT using E-Commerce.

Knowledge and information is essential for people to respond successfully to the opportunities and challenges of social, economic and technological changes, including those that help to improve agricultural productivity, food security and rural livelihoods. Today, there is a rapid increase in use of information and communication technologies in all fields especially in dissemination of information to the rural audience. But there are no blueprint approaches for ICTs or magic bullet ICTs that will automatically improve rural livelihoods. Developing countries each have location-specific agricultural and rural development constraints and opportunities, and country-specific technological constraints and opportunities. Always the question arises on how these technologies are transforming the rural communities with the use of ICT, which is another mode of communication within the rural areas.

2. Entrepreneurship development and empowerment of rural women through Self-Help Groups and NGOs.

The task of developing entrepreneurship and empowering rural women is challenging and needs in-depth research on how to portray a profile of rural women entrepreneurs and their enterprises in the small scale sector; to explore gender differences in entrepreneurial characteristics; to identify problems unique to rural women in setting up and running their enterprises.

3. Role of ICT in developing leadership qualities in rural entrepreneurs.

Leadership development training programmes on a continuous basis can be effectively organized for effective use of communication technologies. This will embody a culture of empowerment where farmwomen and rural youth learn the life skills of decision-making, leadership, service and self-governance. These engaged and empowered farmwomen and rural youth can transform the world.

Projects and Research work:
Getting the right kind of exposure to an ambience of ICT to dilate my cognizance pragmatically is one of my primary concerns. Since 4 years, I am involved in Development work in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in connecting villages and knowledge sharing with Government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) under the eminent leadership of Dr. V. Balaji, (who is an exponent in the ICT development field).
Publications:
 “Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Human Mind” 2005, published in the Indian Journal for Social Development, Vol. 5, No. 2,
 “Gender Equity, Empowerment and Diversity” 2006, Indian Journal for Development Research and Social Action, Vol. 1; No: 2.
Career Goals:
My rationale to seek a graduate degree in U.S. was a result of my search for a broader, interactive and challenging education with flexibility to choose the versatility of your own programme. As I perceive it, U.S. is the confluence of intellectuals from the various parts of the globe. A society of competitive and enterprising individuals with cosmopolitan outlook attracts students from all over the world. You get to study with international students and learn about different cultures and societies.

Why your university?
I am confident that I possess the required preparation, motivation, intellectual ability and commitment to do justice to a graduate program. I am convinced that my study at your esteemed university be a meaningful and rewarding experience. By graduating from an esteemed program like yours, I wish to gain in-depth practical knowledge of the subjects I have long adored, which I believe would help me to contribute to the technological advancements by learning and working alongside with some of the eminent faculty in the area. I believe this experience to be the cornerstone of my technological career ahead of me. But at the same time, with my strong background and ardor in pursuit of knowledge, I am confident I will be able to contribute to research work at your university and live up to the expectations of your academic standards. I earnestly look forward to being a part of your academic community.


Thank you
Place: Delhi
Date: (. John)