Personal statement
I am applying for MSc in Process Systems Engineering at the University of XXX. I see a blind belief around me here that getting a job in a software firm is the safest option in today's world and it is an achievement. The important role chemical engineering plays in day-to-day activities such as boiling, the different products we use starting from tooth paste to night cream is not known to many. I want to show them what an amazing field this is and hope to encourage others to come into this field.
When my father made me study computer science during my secondary school, I was not very happy with his decision because I didn't want to study computer science at all. I was only interested in maths, physics and chemistry. But after learning the importance of computers in Chemical Engineering such as in modelling and simulation, I am immensely thankful to them. My passion for the subject led me to choose Chemical Engineering for my under graduate degree.
During my 2nd year, I ventured into the main subjects such as stoichiometry, solid and fluid mechanics, computer applications in chemical engineering etc. which initially triggered my interests in Process Engineering. And when Heat and Mass transfer, Thermodynamics, Chemical Reaction Engg came along in the next year, I decided to become a Process Engineer. We also had Process and Equipment design laboratory where I learnt the design aspects of chemical engineering. Similarly, in the Process control lab, we used MATLAB software to study the Proportional, Integral and Differential controllers.
While in college, I participated in many technical quiz competitions, equipment design events and won prizes. I had the opportunity to visit Chemical industries like Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Malladi Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Clariant Chemicals India Ltd. as part of my academics. During these visits, I learned about the operation of a chemical industry, the different departments that make up an industry, the various production processes, equipments and other components and the importance of process control with necessary instruments. I completed my final year project at Balmer & Lawrie Ltd. which involved design of a batch reactor for the Sulpho-chlorination of paraffin wax. It started with the Process flow sheet, material and energy balance calculations, sizing of equipment, safety aspects involved in the process and plant cost estimation.
After completing my undergraduate degree, I wanted to gain practical experience. My responsibilities as a trainee at Process Plant Consultants as a trainee include calculations like material and energy balance, pump head, line sizing and preparing Piping & Instrumentation Drawings. I have done piping layout and fabrication drawings using AUTOCAD. I have worked on a few projects so far with companies such as Asian Paints Ltd., BILT Graphics Paper Products Ltd. and Innovative Environmental solutions. My latest project involves re-designing of an incinerator for burning garbage to harness power from the heat generated. I have worked independently as well as a team and I am patient for results. I even had the opportunity to visit project sites and interact with clients. After working for over a year now I want to know more about process engineering and also learn some design tools. So I have decided to take some time off work and concentrate on studying before I face the industry again. I believe the experience I have gained so far will give me clearer perspective of concepts which lacked in my undergraduate degree.
Apart from academics, I am keen on listening to music, being a classical singer myself. I have learnt carnatic (Indian classical) music from the age of five and cleared the Lower Grade music exam with first class certificate. I have represented my school in Inter-school throw ball competitions and led my team to victory. My hobbies include solving crossword puzzles, travelling and reading fiction novels.
The University of XXX is ranked as one of the top in Chemical Engineering Programs in the UK and it specifically gives a Masters degree in Process Engineering. The modules under the MSc in Process Systems Engineering Program describe process engineering very clearly and are very interesting to study, particularly Process & Energy Integration, Process Systems Engineering and Process Modelling & Simulation. The department is fully equipped with the best facilities such as the Center for Process & Information Systems Engineering, library with its huge collection of books and journals and the exceptional staff. The department prides itself with the Queen's university prize for higher and further education awarded for the hard work put in by many researchers for almost two decades for water related research.
My short-term goal would be to work in a Chemical industry as a Chartered Engineer and contribute to the safe and economical design of processes and equipments. With this goal accomplished, I hope to achieve my long term dream of starting my own design consultancy someday and help with smooth running of the industries. I also want to contribute to the growth of renewable energy usage in order to solve energy crisis, very much so in India. The number of power cuts per day has increased manifold in my state and resources are fast depleting. Investing in new green technology such as solar, wind, biogas could very well solve this problem and I want to help with this development. I believe the University of XXX will help me realize all my goals.
