SOP Sample for MS in Manufacturing Engineering in GB

Statement of Purpose

Armed with my mechanical engineering knowledge, I want to pursue a master's in manufacturing engineering with a research focus on designing the advanced manufacturing process, equipment, and machinery. This program will help me learn more about the design and development of sustainable manufacturing machines, systems, tools, etc.

While studying industrial engineering as a minor course in my undergraduate program, I found out there were many kinds of manual jobs—like manual scavenging, construction workers, miners, and other jobs that required the use of dangerous chemicals. These jobs not only put the worker's life at huge risks but indirectly affect their physical and mental health too. After meeting workers in my internship and during my industrial visits, I got first-hand exposure to the dangerous work environment these people had to face every day. I was really moved by their ordeal and wished to provide them with much more sophisticated, safe, and efficient processes and equipment.

My career aspiration is to start a company that will design and manufacture machinery and equipment that will help many people in my country to perform their dangerous and cruel manual jobs safely, with less risk of losing their life. My application to the Master in Manufacturing program is in preparation for this goal.

From a very young age, I developed a keen interest in machines and vehicles. Later on, my interest in these made me curious about how exactly these things worked. This was the precursor to my interest in mechanical engineering and this drove me to opt for the mechanical engineering program for my graduation.

I did my Bachelor's from [UNIVERSITY], where I learned the basic mechanics involved in manufacturing and working the product. I enjoyed the theoretical aspect and loved doing practicals too. In my 2nd year, I participated in the Go-Kart championship where I worked with a team of 20 people. All of us, including me, were very new to the idea of building something on our own. But I love overcoming challenges and I came up with the innovative idea to mount the proximity sensor in the back of the vehicle. This sensor would indicate the driver about the approaching vehicle from behind. It would help the driver focus on the road and thereby reduce the chances of crashing in the race. This idea was not only appreciated by my peers but also by the faculty there.

In my final year of graduation, for my capstone project, I chose to design and build a weight lifting machine to lift heavy weights up to 80kg to a height of 5 feet from the ground with very little effort. We used a linear actuator to lift the weight attached to the fork arm with the help of a hook fixed at the end. By precisely calculating the force required to lift our target weight, we chose the fork arm length according to that force and the height we wanted to lift, and chose the actuator according to those calculations, so that the actuator and the fork arm would be able to withstand the force required to lift the weight we wanted. We used the wheels with brakes which helped the machine be stored in a vertical position to save space. As the brake on the wheel prevents skidding over the wall, it saved space and prevented accidental falling of the machine on the workers, thereby preventing injuries. I came up with this idea to help the manual workers avoid fatal back injuries while lifting weight, as almost every industry requires loading of raw material, and in many companies, these tasks were done commonly by manual labor, in the construction field as well.

As a part of my internship, I worked as an assistant machine operator in a company that manufactures pipes. During my internship, I found that there are a lot more steps and processes, than we know of, that are involved in the manufacturing of even a simple product. I also found that the dust from the granules and chemicals used in the mixer to make pipes was spreading inside the company floor where the workers work, and this was causing the workers to feel uneasy. There was a huge chance of it leading to breathing problems, so I came up with an idea to close the powder-dropping section with a glass chamber. Everything related to those chemical ingredients could be done inside that chamber and it would reduce the risk for the company workers. I also instructed the workers to use gloves while handling the chemicals.

Post the undergraduate degree, I joined [COMPANY] and have been working on a desk job for the past 2 years. However, I have understood that this field is not suitable for me as I always want to explore new challenges and work with hardware machines and tools. During my internship and the industrial visits, I got a good glimpse of the Industrial Manufacturing Department and experiences like the above have motivated me to study Manufacturing Engineering and come up with revolutionary products that will make lives of industry workers a tad bit easier. And thus my application to this program at your university.

The UK is renowned for its excellent quality of education and I wish to further my knowledge in manufacturing engineering at such a place. The opportunity to study at one of the hubs of the manufacturing engineering revolution excites me to no end. I am also enamored by the optimum combination of theoretical and practical coursework that the universities here offer. The two-year post-study visa will give me another chance to build on my experience before I return to India and start my entrepreneurial venture.

After going through this program at your university, I am convinced that this will prove to be the stepping stone towards my future in manufacturing engineering. The curriculum will help me build a solid foundation in manufacturing engineering while the course delivery method—that includes lectures, seminars, and case studies—will again help me get an edge. I look forward to the dissertation project that allows me to research a topic of my choice and get expert guidance.

When I decided to start my own company and change the way of the manual working environment and to help those who are in need, I realized that for me to achieve this goal the knowledge I possess is not enough. What I know is just the tip of the iceberg. This master's in manufacturing engineering from your prestigious university will impart to me the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in my goals.