SOP Sample for MS in Computer Science in the US

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Technology around us has been moving at a swift pace for quite a while now. However, the current tide is stronger than ever, and it leaves us wondering what the future beholds. My fascination with technology started at an early age, from the very first time I came across my father video conferencing with his brother on the computer, who was thousands of miles away. Such experiences throughout my childhood cumulated and left me wanting to get my hands on the newest technologies out in the world. These experiences motivated me to take up engineering. However, it wasn't until I started working in the IT industry, I realized how vast and deep the concepts of Computer Science really are. It was clear to me that to advance my understanding of the field and my position in the industry, I will need to pursue a master's degree.

Coming from a middle-class family, I always believed education to be an essential tool to make our position in society. My parents made that very clear to me and supported me in every way, providing the best education. This motivated me as a child, and I did very well during my school days, securing a 10.0 GPA in the 10th CBSE Board exams. Later, my fascination with computers compelled me to take the science and engineering stream. For my undergraduate studies, I secured a place in one of the finest engineering institutes in my country - [UNIVERSITY_NAME] at [CITY_NAME].

During my time in [UNIVERSITY_ABBREVIATION], I came across various challenging yet engaging subjects, which gave me exposure to different high and low-level programming languages. It was baffling to see how far modern languages have come. Perhaps the ones which caught my attention the most were the two problem-solving programming courses I took in the first two semesters of my college. These courses introduced me to Object-Oriented concepts with languages like C++ and python while fortuitously sparking my interest in programming and algorithm building. Subsequent courses like Data Structures and Algorithms shaped my understanding of the field.

Although I majored in ECE, subjects like microcontrollers, VLSI, Digital Image Processing, etc., allowed me to code in various languages, including Assembly, C, MATLAB, and Verilog. The curriculum at [UNIVERSITY_ABBREVIATION] fueled my interest in programming, as most of the subjects had a lab or a project component, or sometimes both. This allowed me to work on practical, real-world projects using Arduino or raspberry-pi, which helped me polish my programming skills. Apart from that, my summer internship at [COMPANY_NAME] R&D center in [CITY_NAME] taught me how IoT-based solutions are installed in existing homes, offices, and data centers.

For my final semester capstone project, my team and I created a "Structural Health Monitoring System" prototype for railway tracks using an IoT-based multi-robot system. We used Raspberry Pi driven bots, which consisted of ultrasonic sensors for identifying inconsistencies, a pi-cam for taking the snapshots to classify the type of defect using OpenCV and Deep Learning, and a communication module for sending and storing the details in cloud storage for the operators. Additionally, we proposed a modified LEACH protocol implemented using a MATLAB simulation for efficient working of numerous bots to extend their lives.

During my final year of college, in the campus placements, my coding skills fetched me opportunities in Software Development. In the end, I chose [COMPANY_NAME], where I was offered a Senior Software Engineer role for their projects on digital transformation. Given my fascination with bleeding-edge technologies and since I was offered the senior role directly, I accepted the offer. Over the past 28 months, I have worked as a Full-Stack Cloud Developer with multiple Front-end and Back-end technologies along with DevOps tools such as Jenkins, Docker, etc. Throughout this process, I also managed to do a couple of certifications, especially with two of the most popular cloud services being offered in the world.

In May 2020, I started working for a leading Dutch banking and financial services client to help them rebuild and migrate applications from on-premise to the cloud. As part of this transformation journey, over the next eighteen months or so, I worked as part of an independent DevOps team with different development and automation technologies while learning the concepts of cloud computing and Application Lifecycle Management. I realized the enormity of the field and what kind of opportunities it could open for me. This was my driving motivation towards the project, and I spent most of my time upskilling myself by doing courses in order to learn and improve. Despite my commitments, I felt limited in the things I could do in the organization, and I realized I needed to expand my knowledge in a variety of domains to comprehend everything.

It became evident that knowledge and experience gained from my undergraduate studies or the courses I take online would not be enough to explore deeper into the domain and advance my career. Pursuing Masters in Computer Science is the only way I can be an expert in that sector. But not just from anywhere, I knew I had to do it from one of the most prestigious universities in the world whose curriculum and facilities would allow me to satiate my aspirations of contributing to this field.

The MCS Computer Science program at [UNIVERSITY_NAME] offers just that, and it is one of the best out there for working professionals to augment their skills and practically apply their understandings. The coursework at [UNIVERSITY_ABBREVIATION] will offer me the flexibility of upskilling myself in specific areas which align with my interests to reach my potential. My studies at the university will open a plethora of opportunities where I can put my skills to good use.

After my graduation, I wish to gain some professional experience in Cloud Computing, working as a Cloud DevOps Engineer. Given the renowned reputation of [UNIVERSITY_ABBREVIATION] and the growing need for transformations for companies around the world, I do not think I will have any problems getting opportunities from the industry big shots in India where I will gain essential skills and experience required to make my position in the industry.

I am confident that [UNIVERSITY_ABBREVIATION] will provide me with a wealth of resources, from the eminent faculty members to a vast pool of research and computing facilities, making it the perfect place for pursuing my graduate studies. I am sure that my firm foundation in undergraduate studies and work experience will help me achieve my goals.