SOP Sample for MS in Computer Science in the US - Fresher Profile

"How can a metal box perform calculations faster than humans just at ones fingertips?"

Growing up, this question always managed to keep me curious and then this one question led to another question and soon followed a plethora of questions which piqued my interest towards computers and hence I went on pursuing a Bachelor's program in Computer Engineering from [UNIVERSITY_1]. During the coursework, I invested a lot of time in subjects like Database Systems, Object-Oriented System Development, Software Engineering, Data Warehousing, Digital Image Processing. In addition to that, I also indulged myself quite actively towards learning more about Python, Java, Machine Learning and Big Data Analytics and participating in various hackathons. My inclination towards IT as the preferred domain of study comes from the fact that computing technologies have always intrigued me since my formative years. Therefore, when I finally got an opportunity to unravel the applications and mysteries pertaining to this sector, I embraced Information technology with open arms and with an open mind. It would be wrong to put every undergrad topic at par when I was slightly more inclined towards subjects like Big Data Analytics, Web Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Data Structures, Data Mining and Warehousing. Not just the theoretical aspect of these subjects, I even took a keen interest in the practical applications of the same during the lab courses. The willingness to study and learn more about the unexplained helped me qualify as one of the top class performers practically.

Life at an engineering college is very much analogous to that of a roller coaster ride. In my second year, just a few days before the final exams I was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis which eventually led me to take a year drop as my doctor recommended me a change of air. After recovering from the sickness I decided to go and stay at my ancestral village where I decided to pursue my love for teaching upon being invited by the headmaster of the community school to teach English and Mathematics to students from grade 5 to grade 8. On staying back at my village I happen to plunge myself into an unexplored territory which was farming and worked in my ancestral pomegranate fields. I realized farmers were making themselves unnecessarily dependent on pesticides and that's when I decided to create awareness about organic farming amongst my villagers by organizing a 'No Pesticides' movement with the help of students that I had taught. It involved demonstrating videos and circulating pamphlets about benefits of organic farming for which I was applauded by the local administration and I got featured in the newspapers next day. Motivated by this experience, I volunteered for a non-profit organization that organizes blood donation camps across [CITY_1].

One of many things that really intrigued me about technology is problem solving and thus I wanted to give something back to the community by providing a solution to one of the most prevalent issue in today's era is privacy infringement of one's personal data on social media platforms. I came up with an idea of a project entitled "Preventing Inference Attacks on Social Media". The main objective of this project was to make the users aware about the very obvious malicious attack on their private data which is being fed by them on social media websites and also to reach out to different social media platforms that they need to protect their users against unsolicited eavesdropping and inform them of possible privacy breaches and providing them with means to be in full control of their private data.

After completing my undergraduate study, I earned an internship with a medical distribution firm from [CITY_1] called "[COMPANY_1]" as MIS Operations & Data Analyst Intern wherein I created reports on daily data retrieved from clients using V-lookup, H-lookup, Pivot table, filters etc. I worked for the 'Life-Saving Drugs' department handling the data of more than 10 retail chain companies having more than 600 pharmacy stores across India. This internship made me realize the importance of data analytics in empowering modern world businesses. My first full time corporate stint was with an international publisher named '[COMPANY_2]' based in [CITY_1]. I worked as Business Development Analyst for their subsidiary firm '[COMPANY_3]' which is a pioneer in publication of ancient Jain & Hindu religious manuscripts by translating them from ancient languages like Sanskrit, Pali, Ardhamagadhi into foreign languages like Russian, Japanese, Spanish, German and etc. My work involved formulating new market strategies, interacting with delegates and professors of foreign universities introducing courses on Jainism to them and teach Jainism at their universities. I acted as a bridge between Indian Jain Monasteries and particularly students from Germany and Japan which inspired me to take up coaching in Japanese & German.

The internship followed by a year-long job refined and helped me develop skills in client communications as well as project management. The entire experience intellectually stimulated me thus enabled me with decision making ability and taught me the benefits of teamwork, time management and fortified my development as a person. Overall it made me realize my penchant for organizational behavior and management and fueled my propensity towards management systems. Thus I decided to join my family business with a view to expand it further. Applying my business management fundamentals along with introducing latest technology elements like Data Analysis and Predictive Analysis, I was successful in expanding the retail chain business from 2 outlets to 6 outlets in a span of just 2.2 years and soon I was promoted to Chief Operating Officer by the board of members. I also took the entire business online by developing an e-commerce website in order to cater a larger set of potential customers. As a successful business owner, I realized the importance of business analytics. The combination of right metrics and sharp predictive analysis can provide solid stability and upward growth for any kind of business. I have extensively used Google Analytics to grow my website revenue which kindled my interest in diving deep in the ocean of data and business analytics.

I was always of the opinion that I must gather some work experience related to latest technology in the field of Analytics before going abroad to study further. Hence making good use of the lockdown along with running an established business, I also started reading and learning about Data Science, Machine Learning from professionals such as [PERSON_1] ([URL]), [PERSON_2] ([URL]), [PERSON_3] ([UNIVERSITY_2]), [PERSON_4], [PERSON_5] ([URL]) etc. in order to keep himself abreast with the latest trends in the industry.

My diligent and curious attitude helped me bag two internships amid the lockdown. I am currently doing my remote internship as Machine Learning Intern with [COMPANY_4] which is data science firm founded by India's top Data Scientists and Youtubers - [PERSON_6] and [PERSON_7]. From the month of November I will be taking up another internship as Data Science Intern with [COMPANY_5] to gain hands on experience by undertaking latest project.

[UNIVERSITY_3] being one of the top institutes in US moreover a epicenter of accomplished professors and profound researchers and other distinguished faculty members, it would be my privilege to learn and grow under their guidance, aegis and supervision. The prominent alumni network which includes the likes of [PERSON_8], [PERSON_9], [PERSON_10], [PERSON_11], progressive curriculum and wide array of electives provided by [UNIVERSITY_3] is exactly what a budding professional like me needs to burgeon in the field of Artificial Intelligence. I am aware that [UNIVERSITY_3] expects a very high standard from its students and I am equally positive of meeting the challenges of the Machine Learning Engineering MS program with my aptitude and determination proven by my past achievements and endeavors. Through my practical experiences I have realized how important it is for an individual to be acquainted with business proficiency along with technical expertise to be called a true professional in this corporate age. A postgraduate course like Machine Learning Engineering would help me reach this goal of becoming a consummate professional by helping me fathom the business as well as technical functioning of an organization.