A Career to Pursue After Earning a Graduate Degree - Admission/Application Essay Example

1. Describe the career that you would like to pursue after earning a graduate degree. Address issues such as whether you are entering the business world for the first time, changing fields, or advancing in a field or organization where you expect to remain. Why have you chosen this particular career? What specific short term career objectives have you set to assist you in achieving your long term career plans? I am interested in a career in banking and finance and naturally would like to work my way to the top in this sector after completing my graduate study. My interest in this field is not an inherent or a lifelong dream. It is product of a continuing education which cultivated in me a natural curiosity for numbers. I have come to excel in mathematical and analytical skills and I have set my eyes on the direction of international banking and finance management and I am very committed to that goal. I have long recognized that one of the most challenging aspects in my career objective is the fact that I would be entering the business world for the first time. Understandably, I have few significant experiences and so I am taking every opportunity to learn from the best in the field and in broadening my horizon especially in the area of international economics. In the year 2005 I enrolled in a business program in the ICN School of Management in France while continuing an international business degree in Thammasat University in Bangkok. This gave me an opportunity to explore the diversity of international business and how it will shape the movements in the banking and financial industries in the near future. Furthermore, I took time in participating in international conferences being held in my country to further deepen my knowledge on the dynamics of culture and its relationship with work and management. I discovered that in the course of these outings, I acquire skills necessary in cross-cultural teamwork as well as the work ethic that is required in the cultivation of essential leadership skills. These valuable insights and experiences prodded me to further pursue a graduate study abroad. I hope that this short-term goal will establish the tools that I need in surmounting the odds present in my long-term career path. 2. What aspects of your intended path of study made you decide that the program at the McCallum Graduate School was the right one for you? Please be as specific as possible. I believe that the courses offered in McCallum Graduate School satisfies my requirements in terms of strengthening the chances of my goal’s success. In doing some research, I came to the conclusion that the school’s core academic values, course offerings, its faculty and the population of its students suit my needs. I take particular interest on how business technology is incorporated in the business programs. It is in my opinion that in the increasingly global economy, a financial manager with technological know-how is going to be highly prized and could certainly introduce innovations in terms of bridging gaps and synergy. I see that the trend in many financial systems across countries is marked by substantial structural change brought about by the pressures of increased integration as well as the international competition. Technology is the key in this area and an expertise in it is an advantage in the world stage. Finally, in consideration of my career goals, I expect that the business program at the McCallum Graduate School will not only clarify my career direction even more but help me achieve values that I could use in business and finance in the backdrop of globalization and the diversity it entails. Although I have excellent mathematical and analytical skills, I am looking at an opportunity to explore how international business and finance strategies are formulated, how the global financial market operates and what are the other skills that I should acquire in order for me to be successful in my career in the context of the international arena. Moreover, I want to further develop my capabilities in working in a cross-cultural environment wherein I would be exposed to various backgrounds and perspectives. I think that there is a lot of potential in combining these variables in coming up with revolutionary business models and values. Along with my desire to be admitted to this prestigious institution, I would also like to contribute my own perspective to the diversity of the school. 3. Describe an experience where you were a member of a team charged with completing a project. What role did you play and what was the outcome of the project? Recently, I was a member of the committee which, among others, coordinated the 2007 International Conference for Economic Students (ICES). Our team’s task is to assist participants in the conference in regard to the development of the conference program. I am one of the coordinators whose responsibility involves getting in touch with the guests, lecturers, participants of the round table discussions, and so on, concerning the order of the day, activities as well as in coordinating with the other committees so the conference would run seamlessly. Each of the coordinator’s roles such as mine is pivotal in the success of the conference essentially because if a task is not completed on time or not completed properly it may cause disruption and even the failure of an activity or a lecture. One of the most important things that I have done is the implementation of a contingency plan in case lecturers cancel attendance. Over all, the event was a success because the organizational tasks were clearly defined. Committees and its members have clear ideas on what roles they have to play that tasks didn’t overlap and got confusing. In this experience, I have also learned the role that the heads of the committees play particularly their organizational and management skills are essential in the success of the project. It was fortunate that we have chosen the right individuals who were able to adjust to different interests and tasks within their respective committees. Some things did not go according to the conference’s plan and these individuals were flexible and were able to exercise the right amount of control so the entire team was easily steered to address problems. Read More