Personal Statement for a Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Management

Hello all,

I am applying for a Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Management at the University of Southern Maine. I am currently an Active Duty Military Officer, but will be transitioning out of the military at the end of the year. I'm applying to start the program online this summer. Please let me know your thoughts, critiques, suggestions, etc... thank you!

I believe that leadership is a quality that one cannot fully appreciate until tested. The last 3.5 years of my life as a Military Intelligence Officer in the United States Army have taught me that. Managing personnel in complex and ever changing environments tests this quality like nothing else can. From being accountable for the operation and maintenance of over $8 million in government property, to leading a 15 member intelligence team in a foreign nation, I have no doubt that these diverse experiences make me uniquely qualified to lead and manage personnel and resources at all levels.

I have always had an attraction to government and the public sector. The enormous responsibility, yet more importantly, the impact one can have in this field of work has continuously astounded me. Making a difference in people's lives for the better is very important, and there is no better place to do that than in the public sector. I would like to bring my leadership experience and knowledge of intelligence work and national defense, to the state and federal government levels. Specifically in the homeland security or emergency management domains. There is no better way to continue that journey than with a solid foundation in public management. I believe that a Certificate of Graduate Study in this field is the best way to accomplish that, and furthermore, continuing on to a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Management once complete.

I plan on living and working in Maine upon the completion of my Active Duty military service at the end of this year. Therefore, this program at the University of Southern Maine seems to be the perfect fit to accomplish my goals. Through this education, and my experience, I believe I can devote my career to improving and protecting the lives of millions of my fellow citizens. I cannot wait to continue serving my nation, and I believe this program will afford me the opportunity to do just that.

the best way? To me, this phrase sounds vague. It is good to give the example(s) of this phrase, by showing or telling your real life story.


This is only a phrase. Writing it as a sentence, I think it is more better.