Hello Guys,
I have to submit this essay by 15/1. I need your recommendations on the structure, Grammar, length of the essay should I talk more about certain topics. I am not a native English speaker so my English isn't that sophisticated as It should be, I guess, for masters essay so I need your input. The program is in Survey Methodology thanks
Dear Admissions Committee,
Ever since my childhood, I and my sister always competed on our mathematical acumen by solving advanced mathematical calculations mentally without using the calculator. That passion for mathematics later on reflected on my courses selection during high-school; as I preferred to continue my studies in mathematics; rather than science or literature.
Not only during my high school studies that I selected to study mathematical courses but also during my undergraduate studies in the Faculty of Economics and Political Science - Cairo University, I selected Statistics as my major for the Bachelor degree rather than Political Science or Economics. My decision was bolstered with my quantitative aptitude and skills, believing that such analytical numerical program will cultivate and develop these skills.
During my undergraduate studies, I took courses that help me learn about sampling processes, time series analysis and multivariate analysis, also Statistical packages that taught me practical application of SPSS program through simple to complicated data sizes and also learned to carry out various types of analysis including regression analysis, factor analysis and graphical representations. In addition to these, I had a series of courses in Economics that give me great opportunity to analyze different types of data-sets.
After my graduation, I received an internship opportunity for 4 months in the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) - Public Opinion Center; only graduates with high potential were selected for the internship. Our tasks was circumscribed around assisting researches in carrying out studies about the Egyptian's perception towards the main political, economic or social issues facing the society. The experience was concrete and introduced me to the tangible practice of research. Afterwards I joined The XX for two years as a Data analyst. Working in two different departments; Retail Measurement and Consumer Research. I gained deep understanding of survey methodologies, sampling processes, and data interpretation. I developed various types of questionnaires including mystery shopping questionnaire, retail measurement and customer satisfaction and finally perform data analysis on the final data. However, due to the delegation most of data processing for the two departments to XX Company in India, I decided to move to make shift to the Marketing oriented field, believing that it will enhance my career opportunities. But unfortunately, the role did not fully interest me; as it didn't share the same interest that I have for the research field.
Now after two years of experience in both market research and marketing field. I am more determined to continue my career in research field. I believe that obtaining a master's degree will provide me with wider scope on the survey methodology technicalities and give me a chance to increase my quantitative analytical skills and statistical programming knowledge to be more qualified and proficient analyst. Moreover when I return to Egypt, I want to work on developing the surveying field in my country, as it needs more attention, especially in the governmental research centers. Due to my strong belief in the role of these researchers in decision making process. The governmental research centers in Egypt should needs a more concise and reliable studies to be provided to the government. Working on developing the role of the researchers and surveying in Egypt is dream for me; it's like paying back for my country.
Finally, I believe I need a concrete academic program that will provide me with the needed training and study to be full-fledgling researcher. The survey methodology program at University of Nebraska - Lincoln provides a solid combination of both practical and academic learnings of the surveying process. The partnership with Gallup research center appealed me more towards the program. Moreover I believe that I possess the capability to perform well in the program and hope that the university will grant me a chance to join the program.
