SOP Sample for MS in Data Science – Fresher with Projects

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The potential of computer programming along with the supreme influence it has on today's rapidly changing technology and consequently on human life, never ceases to astonish me. In today's era, where computers are deciphering problems in fields ranging from as naïve as a parking system to the conundrums of developing medicines for cancer using Machine Learning, persistently developing computational capacities of computers are registering breakthroughs almost every week. Every day unfolds new possibilities and brings forth new challenges; zeal to be a part of such innovation-driven global industry is my rationale for pursuing Masters in Data Science from your reputed University.

While pursuing my Higher Secondary education, I was introduced to programming and its applications by one of my school friends who demonstrated to me how few lines of code can make the extremely complex redundant task effortless. This small insight on what potential programming possesses helped me develop a lucid insight about the learning and career I intended to pursue. Realizing the limitations on rigid instructions of my school on not being able to switch courses to computers once enrolled in some other course for the preceding year, my eagerness to learn computers compelled me to become an autodidact. I started teaching myself the basics of programming from a book named "Hacking, the Art of Exploitation" suggested to me by my brother. Furthermore, I learned JAVA, Python and some concepts of C. At that time, I was introduced to the branch of Machine Learning and Data Science; the concept for use of data for predictions and creating intelligent systems completely enthralled me. Consequently, I engrossed myself more into Python and mathematical concepts involved in this field and my mind started inclining more towards the practical implementations of this field.

Artificial Intelligence, Neural Networks and Operating Systems were among my most favored subjects in my undergraduate program. During my Bachelors, I made several small projects like "Wine Quality Predictor Model" to get a good hold of fundamental topics like Regression, Classification, Clustering, and other important concepts in Machine Learning. My Final Year project, "Chatbot for a Grocery Store Website," implemented in Python using the seq2seq model of Natural Language Processing, helped me develop a keen sense of the practical aspects of designing and programming a system using Machine Learning. My project enabled quick response to customer queries in a grocery store where the chatbot was either able to resolve their queries or direct them to the concerned department. Although I had gained good insight of the key concepts of Machine Learning and Data Science during the initial years of my undergraduate, it was after this thorough practical study on the core concepts of Machine Learning and programming that I was eager to dive much deeper into this field.

The stringent curriculum and the projects I undertook had already given me comprehensive knowledge on programming. Subsequently, I progressed to more compound projects like "Image Recognition System using Deep Learning" and "Facial Recognition System" wherein I learned to apply the use of convolutional layer for Translational Invariance and got more proficient with the concepts of max pooling and dropouts for improving the efficiency of such models. Furthermore, to gain cognizance of the overall system design, I kept engrossed in arming myself with more and diverse concepts of SQL and LINUX.

Rehearsing algorithms and exposing myself to real-world applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning kindled in me the desire to amplify my knowledge and character for further gaining a finer understanding of current and impending technologies in this field, which I strongly believe can be accomplished by pursuing one of the most methodical and pervasive curriculums at your university. The key highlight of the course that attracted me the most is the extensive weightage given to the practical implementation of studies in form of projects.

My keen participation in extracurriculars and social work helped me to develop my overall personality. During my Bachelors I joined my college "Fashion and Culture Group" wherein I got the opportunity to participate in various inter-college fashion shows and also secured positions in many of them. Our biggest win was at the annual college fest of [UNIVERSITY_NAME] ([EVENT_NAME]) where we secured 2nd position. I had flair for Stage Designing and show choreography. Recognizing my creative skills, I was promoted to Clubhead in my final year. Being an eager enthusiast of Technology, I always wanted to try out my hands in electronics. I got the opportunity to do that in 2nd year of my college, when I participated in a contest on "Developing Low Cost and Efficient Renewable Energy-based Applications" where I made a model of "Automated Irrigation System using Solar Energy" for which I bagged 3rd Prize in the contest. My design helped in cutting farmer's electricity cost by preventing water wastage in their fields. Judges were highly impressed by my out of the box simplistic idea.

Besides all this, I had a huge fascination for Drama and Theatre. To pursue my interest, I joined "[THEATRE_GROUP_NAME]," a renowned theatre group in the country for a short course of time. I performed few plays there, which required extensive coordination and improvisation skills, thereby, assisted in burgeoning my intellectual skills and team-working capabilities. Furthermore, I always tried to contribute my bit towards society. For instance, in the year 2019 I taught mathematics to students of class V at "[SCHOOL_NAME]," a financially weak and necessitous school in my hometown. Moreover, in the year 2020 when COVID-19 forced schools to shut down, I volunteered to teach students via online classes through their parents' mobile phones at another underprivileged school named "[SCHOOL_NAME]" near my hometown.

I got the chance to learn about diverse software development tools and maintenance skills with my employer. My project during my tenure was for an Australian bank wherein we facilitated decommissioning of their ongoing application and ensured a smooth transition of functionalities from the earlier application to the newly developed application. Being the first project for me as a professional, thoughts wavered from anxiety to calmness as the responsibility to handle code changes was laid on my shoulders within the first month on my training completion. At that moment I put in my team-working and coordination skills in a real-world professional environment while working under tight deadlines. Throughout my working period with my organization, I aimed to inculcate innovation and research in my project using "Root Cause Analysis" and other numerous techniques to analyze and resolve the issue with code or system. Consequently, I was able to achieve confidence of my client and engender business proposals, simultaneously developing my skills manifold.

My ultimate career goal is to make an admirable contribution to my field by designing highly interactive intelligent systems. I am confident that my academic records and extensive practical knowledge combined with my eagerness to learn, exhibit the tenacity and enthusiasm required to pursue a Master's Degree at your reputed university.

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