Joining the Krannert Graduate School of Management and Purdue University - Admission/Application Essay Example

I have completed my four-year Bachelor of Business Management Program at the Southern in Louisiana and received in June 2000 my master's degree in Management Information Systems from Golden Gate University. I am presently working for the California Board of Equalization with a strong focus on information systems and software network analysis. In order to further my skills and competences I also recently acquired additional graduate units from CCNA Cisco Academy. I am applying for admission and financial aid to the Ph.D. program in Public Administration at the Krannert Graduate School of Management, Purdue University.

Detailed information about my academic record and my research and other experience is attached to this statement. My undergraduate background in business management and experience in information technology has not only developed in me a certain set of skills but has also helped me determine my fields of interest and my academic strengths and weaknesses. This understanding has made me realize that though IT appeals to me, my strengths lie in the dynamics of public management. In particular, I am interested in the administration of public policy systems.

My past work in the California Department of Veteran Affairs as Associate Governmental Program Analyst has provided me a very good avenue where I could link my IT background to the essentials of government system. The basic aim was to negotiate, write, manage and execute contracts with public agencies, private entities, and small businesses, as well as provide project mentoring and leadership to the staff involved. Part of my work then included developing Interagency Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, and (IFB's) Invitations for Bid and (RFP's) Request for Proposals for the department.

Part of the work includes the verification process that contracts that are completed and check that these are in the best interest of the department. I have also monitored, tracked and provided a status of departmental contracts and bids by utilizing a database software application. Furthermore, I participated in the selection of contractors during the bid process by serving as a lead analyst for the contracting process. Finally, I have also provided input and recommendations to management in an effort to continuously strive to improve the department's contracting and bidding practices.

I believe that I possess the qualities that define a researcher and teacher of exceptional quality. I am attuned to approaching and analyzing issues of practical importance by identifying linkages and relationships involved. This, being able to recognize patterns and relationships that are not obvious to others is perhaps my greatest strength. I believe that this will prove very important since an essential part of being a researcher and teacher is to distinguish between theory and practice, analytical flexibility and logic.

My communication skills are likewise excellent and I am confident in expressing ideas and concepts both in oral and written form - all of which are ideal foundations for the dissemination of knowledge in my chosen field of specialization. I believe that the quality of the faculty and the nature of the doctoral program that the Krannert Graduate School of Management offers will definitely develop my expertise. I would like to reiterate that I possess the background, the ability and the motivation to make a significant contribution to Public Administration.

I hope you will take a favorable decision regarding my admission to the Ph.D. program and I look forward to joining the Krannert Graduate School of Management and Purdue University.