Thesis in Corporate Governance and Risk Management - Personal Statement Example

Presenting my paper in a conference What I did Undertaking a PhD in Finance has been a fulfilling experience, both personally and intellectually. This is because it engages the self in a deep interrogation and analysis of facts. I presented my paper in an annual conference that is organized by (?). In the conference, I presented my thesis in corporate governance and risk management. The preparation of my thesis was an arduous task that involved interacting with my peers and other scholars specializing in related studies. The exercise was thorough since I knew the conference was inevitable. In addition, I knew the audience would ask serious theoretical and empirical questions that would expose the loopholes in my thesis. All the same, I believed that my paper was in its comprehensive form. I was only to make a few changes with my lecturers in order to make the presentation easier. I finally made my oral presentation before other intellectuals and stakeholders. The initial part of the conference solely entailed presenting my ideas in concise forms. In the beginning, I made a justification for my study by stating that risk management is an unexplored element in the study of finance. This is because of the empiricism and analysis that studies on risk demands. In the oral presentation, I made my references from a PowerPoint slides that I had prepared on my laptop. This enabled me go through the presentation procedurally as I moved from the most basic parts to the most abstract segments. Thereafter, I faced questions from the audience, which occurred at the end of the presentation. Why I did it When I began my PhD, I held the idea of testing my thoughts against fellow scholars. This is an ultimate feat for every scholar as other people discuss your findings over an issue. In turn, this is a method of gaining legitimacy in the academia. Gaining legitimacy finally certifies one’s academic products and makes a person gain acceptance among knowledgeable people. This is unlike the undergraduate level where there are no stringent standards over presenting ideas. In this sense, I wanted the foundation for advancing knowledge in the future and produce ideas that gain acceptance across disciplines. What I did learn I realized that it takes more than a good idea to earn legitimacy in life. During the presentation, I had to develop charm while passing on my ideas. This because charm makes people glued to one’s ideas in spite of abstractions. Besides, I had to learn how to sustain an audience through long sessions. This was also essential for hearing my own inner voice as I made presentations. Since the sessions were thorough, I learned the inner attitude that I have developed towards issues. How I applied it and what I would do differently The lessons bear an important mark in my career. On learning that understanding the financial world requires hands-on knowledge, I made a plan on joining the corporate world. This helps in two ways. To begin with, it would help me apply my ideas in the corporate sector. In addition, joining the corporate world would enable me gather the experience that is necessary for producing and refining new ideas. This occurs through the observation of evolving factors in real-time financial management. I believe that academic work should not be distant with life in the real society. The two entities should possess a symbiotic relationship that helps encourage real-time observation of matters and application of researched lessons in the professional fields. Presenting my paper in a poster conference What I did I also participated in a poster conference. There was limited difference between the poster conference and the oral conference because both entailed presenting my ideas before an interrogating audience. The poster conference was more arduous than the oral presentation because it involved preparation of posters that described the stages of my research in concise form. I arranged my posters on the podium and made demonstrations using diagrams and brief statements that summarized my abstract ideas. This was an easy feat since I printed the posters out of the slides that I made in the Microsoft PowerPoint. The audience found it easy to reference from the posters while making their questions. Why I did it Conducting the poster presentation performed important roles for my research. To begin with, it would certify my research for publishing. Availing my thesis for scrutiny helps expose the loopholes that are necessary for fine-tuning given arguments towards future academic sessions. I knew I would most likely attain questions that I would not possible answer. In this sense, I would perceive new things that I would not possibly conceive while working alone. Such sessions are more rigorous than undergraduate sessions because they entail critical analysis of concepts. Before I undertook my PhD studies, I had the paranoia for such scrutiny. Continuous experience showed that valid ideas have to undergo several tests. What I did learn I drew several lessons from the experience. To begin with, I learnt that producing a viable idea or a product necessitates interacting with many people. In this sense, it is difficult to produce a worthwhile product while trusting on one’s own mind and expertise. After the experience, I analyzed history and found out that good ideas arose out of collaborative work. Before I made my presentation, I had to contact individuals who had previously made scholarly presentations. These individuals taught me how to articulate oneself before an audience. For instance, I had to present my ideas before a scholarly audience in order to fine-tune the thesis. How I applied it and what I would do differently Besides, I will instill the idea of poster conferences on my future undergraduate students. It is essential for students to nurture the urge for acquiring knowledge. This attitude, however, only develops when people realize that knowledge is a fulfilling experience. I, therefore, would promote discussions in classrooms over topics that affect the world. In my next research, I will apply the lessons I learnt from criticism. It takes time to produce a worthwhile research. I, therefore, will exercise more patience while handling my research. This would be essential in sealing the gaps that make a research less valid. In turn, this notion demands that an individual takes considerable time in developing the data for proper analysis of issues. I would also make fact gathering a daily exercise. This means that I will not take people and events for granted thereby recording peculiar observations on my diary. Besides, I will reach out to organizations that promote poster conferences such that I do not limit myself to school events. Publishing my paper in a conference proceedings What I did In addition, I have had my paper published in a conference proceedings book. I submitted the paper to the publishers based on the recommendation of friends. After negotiation with the publishers, they accepted that the paper was worth appearing in the journal. The initiative involved accepting to edit my thesis so that it would appeal to a larger reading audience. Why did it Writing in the conference proceedings paper was helpful in passing on knowledge to the rest of the world. The conference proceedings paper help place my thesis in a platform whereby other people, besides finance scholars, would read my ideas. I have a passion for contributing towards knowledge in my area. The thesis is an example of knowledge that the world can use in increasing efficiency in financial services. It is essential to note that risk management a key issues in a highly globalizing world. Passing on my gathered and analyzed data would help advance the tools for managing movement of capital. I had satisfaction in the idea that the whole world could access my thesis for different uses. What I did learn Moreover, I learnt of the power of criticism. Criticism is a fundamental thing in undertaking scholarly studies. After the conferences and the publishing of the book, I learnt that the search for right knowledge is a unifying journey. In turn, academia should be devoid of emotions and divisive politics that constrain the search for refined knowledge. When I was making the oral and poster presentations, I viewed my critics as individuals in the same battle. This means that we work towards a single goal of enhancing the management of risks in financial institutions. In turn, I dislodged the thought that the critics were enemies aiming at downplaying my thoughts. In the end, my thesis became a refined artifact that met the criterion for publishing in a reputable journal. Additionally, I learnt of proper ways of presenting an idea to readers’ audience. Writing skills perform a profound role of adding magic to one’s ideas. In turn, one has to learn how to present ideas in a way that allows accurate interpretation of one’s ideas. This requires a mixture of simplification and abstraction. In this sense, the ideas should not appear so simple that they pass for nonprofessional’s knowledge. On the other hand, ideas should not appear so abstract that an audience fails to understand the same. How I applied it and what I would do differently The conference proceeding paper instigated my urge of eventually becoming a lecturer. This will enable me steer other minds towards finesse in financial matters. Besides, it would provide a thriving ground for further research on risks and other key financial matters. Education is a continuous experience that demands perpetual exposure to ideas from the self and ideas from others. In this perspective, I will engage in further research and innovation as I rely on my peers and readers to fine-tune my academic products. Collaborative work would be crucial for progress in my future academic writing work. In this perspective, I will join the groups that comprise individuals of similar interests. Participating in the activities of such a group would enable me develop finesse in intellectual work and presentations. I, therefore, will look for a group that actively participates in research and deal with regular publications of research work. Assisting with organization of a conference What I did I participated in the organization of a conference, as a volunteer. Having enjoyed the experience of the two conferences, I came up with the idea of organizing an additional conference. In the conference, I was responsible for the registration that occurred for two days. With one of my colleagues, we registered more than 100 participants. The registration involved giving participants conference bags with contained tickets and the necessary information for the first day. I coordinated the conference by helping people report back to conferences after breaks. Why I did it I intended to pass my knowledge and experience to a larger group of people. The conferences are better platforms for sharing knowledge because one imparts knowledge directly. In addition, the audience acquires knowledge in the author’s intended form. Since developing the thesis was an involving process, I knew it would finally be fulfilling to pass on the knowledge. Assisting with the organization of a conference was central to the undertaking of my PhD studies. It made me feel as if I had officially begun my scholarly duties. Taking a PhD in finance performs a profound role in my life. For a long time, I have possessed a dream in undertaking this course. Finance is a crucial part of the universe since it facilitates commerce and economic growth. Finance is central to understanding the movement of capital and the management of resources. In addition, finance is a highly empirical field of study that concerns with analysis of facts. It simultaneously deals with understanding the theories of economics and other social sciences. The multiplicity of disciplines involved in taking finance is an intellectually satisfying experience that helps explore the depths of one’s mind. What I did learn I realized that human skills are necessary in organizing conferences and dealing with people. In spite of the involved changes, I realized that intellectual work is a very satisfying experience. Studies, mostly, do not promise certain material rewards. This is surprising to an outsider, but academia involvement such as conferences possess intrinsic fulfillment that is not measurable (Posner, R. A. 2003, 42). Intellectual work involves the search and dissemination of information. This is as an enjoyable experience as one adds onto already existing finance knowledge. It is also a refreshing idea to learn that one’s ideas are useful tools towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of financial systems. Interacting with peers and seniors in the field of finance helps a person define an intellectual attitude for approaching world matters. By exploring matters of risks, I learnt that the world is an interconnected entity that demands the study of subjects such as politics in order to understand how it functions. How I applied it and what I would do differently I am developing the skills to enable me organize future conferences. In addition, I will establish additional forums for continual sharing of ideas. While I was going through the presentations, I realized that the academic environment should involve fun. This suggests that scholars should have real interest and passion in the ideas they are pursuing. In this view, I plan to establish less formal conferences that involve banter on current economic and financial issues. These conferences would attract individuals of similar passion thereby drawing solutions for unique problems facing the financial world. In close relation to this idea, I plan to draw a television program that air intellectual discussions on financial and economic matters. Reference Posner, R. A., 2003. Public intellectuals: a study of decline; with a new preface and epilogue, Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Read More