Personal Statement
Program: Management Information System

In a course project, I collaborated with several team members using JSP to design, construct, develop, program and debugging a website; In carrying out electronics practices, I finished assembling a multi-band transistor radio 10 days ahead of my classmates. In a design project for the course Electronics Technology, I completed the design of an electronic clock using PROTEL. Those self-claimed achievements of mine might seem trivial to automatic control engineers or to computer network specialists. Yet, they have been very important to me as a developing student. They are indicative of the gradual yet unmistakable progress that I have made as my hands-on abilities and problem-skills improved. It is precisely the enhancement of my practical abilities that has enabled me to become one of the top students in a highly competitive academic environment.

The reason for characterizing the specialty of Information Countermeasures Technology of my Alma Mater—XX University of China—as competitive is that it is the first of its kind in Chinese universities that focuses on network information security. The students studying this specialty are the best minds of the university. Although I majored in Automatic Control for the first two years of my undergraduate program, the moment I was exposed to computer network when I was a freshman, I was immediately and irresistibly fascinated by its inexhaustible information resource and its speedy access to data communication. With due efforts, I qualified myself for transferring to the Department of Computer Networking, after strict procedures of application and screening tests，where I received the most rigorous and systematic education in the Specialty of Information Countermeasures Technology.

In my new specialty, I not only studied all the foundational courses requisite for conventional computer specialty but also mastered much specialized network knowledge about the fundamentals of data communication, system structure and TCP/IP Protocols, and network communication security. Despite the stringent grading system of my department (achieving 85/100 is rather rare under such a system)，I scored over 90/100 for courses including Local Area Network Technology, Hacker Defence Technology, and Applied Cryptography. My overall academic performance directly led to my winning “Outstanding Student” honor for three consecutive years.

I must attribute my achievement of those results to the principles championed by university in its school motto—Be solid in academic foundation, rigorous in academic research and strong in practical abilities. Under the influence of those guidelines, I have developed a rigorous study and research attitude. Sometimes, in order to gain thorough understanding of a perplexing issue, I would consult all the available reference materials in the library and on the Internet to find a satisfactory solution. I am well aware that such an attitude is essential for a well-trained scientist or engineer.

Just as I mentioned in the opening paragraph, I have been offered extensive opportunities to do experiments in a number of specialized labs. On those occasions I would consciously apply my knowledge to specific issues and gain useful experiences. My graduation thesis, entitled The Web-Based Realization of Network Robot, adequately testifies to my ability to perform independent research. In preparing my project, I would work more than 10 hours a day in the lab. I conducted detailed analysis of the working principles of the network robot (also called spider or crawler) and its central technology, as well as the exclusion standards. I focused particularly on the analysis of the network robot, its interactive development environment, and the Java package. Finally I completed the analysis and realization of the Java Language, which is the major part of SPHINX. My advisor and the Thesis Evaluation Panel scored my thesis 86/100, one of the highest scores for that year.

Now, with a strong academic background in computer science and technology, I am determined to apply for a Master’s program in Management Information Science from XX. The motivation behind my present application for MIS originated when I studied the course Industrial Enterprise Management as a junior student. It kindled my interest in management science. My motivation was further strengthened after reading the classical Fundamentals of Management co-authored by Harold Koontz and Heinz Weihrich, which triggered in me the idea of combining management with my knowledge of network and information science. This interdisciplinary impulse makes me opt for Management Information System as a matter of course, as it perfectly answers my desire to become well-educated across two important fields.

I choose XX as my priority because of several reasons. Founded in 1827,the Institute is the oldest and the largest among 6 XX polytechnic institutes, enjoying undisputable academic reputation throughout Europe. By 2005, it will have become the largest university of information technology in Europe. I am particularly attracted by your curriculum, which is closely integrated with practical research. Meanwhile, modern laboratories and superior computer facilities will be of immense help to my future academic training.

In my proposed program at KTH, I would like to attend a number of important courses, ranging from  Enterprise Systems and Modelling, Processes for IT Project Management, Knowledge and Software Reuse, Economy and Leadership for Project and Functional Management. As MIS is a typical interdisciplinary subject, I expect to study a comprehensive curriculum that may encompass information science, management science, behavioral science, operations research, mathematics, computer technology, communication and network technology.

The formal education and academic research in the field of information management in China started only recently，with obvious limitations in its teaching and research methodologies. Therefore it is necessary for me to seek further education from a renowned western university like XX. In doing so, I believe I have important advantages for my proposed study. I have a strong background in computer science and technology, and I have a deep interest in management. On top of that, I am determined to develop myself into a professional on MIS, with knowledge and expertise across a variety fields, capable of enterprise planning, data management and systems analysis. In this way, I will prove instrumental to the enterprise I will work with after completing my and contribute my talents to its MIS construction and development.

A question that I constantly pose to myself is that “ what role should I play in the male-dominated field of MIS?” To develop and demonstrate my talents, become a thoughtful, intelligent, and independent career woman, and to perform my due social responsibilities, this is the answer.