SOP Sample for MS Mechatronics in the UK | Mechanical Engineering Profile

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

As a proud Mechanical Engineer, I have always marveled at the inventions in this sphere of engineering. From Guttenburg's printing press which helped in the rapid spread of knowledge to the Steam Engines, Automobiles, and Aircraft which revolutionized transportation, each is a gift from revered men and women of the past. This deep-rooted passion naturally directed me to opt for Mechanical Engineering as my undergraduate major. After having discovered my niche - Mechatronics through my academic stint so far, I now plan to pursue my Master's in Mechatronic Systems and augment my domain expertise.

Although I was often criticized for my decision on pursuing a career in Mechanical Engineering, it never hindered my determination towards the domain. In fact, I confidently strode against gender stereotypes and pursued my undergraduate education in Mechanical Engineering at [UNIVERSITY], [STATE], India. Much of the credit for who I am today goes to the highly supportive faculty and classmates who always stood by me and motivated me throughout. Navigating through the curriculum, I particularly felt inclined towards the Mechatronics course introduced to me during my third year. Despite the fact that Pandemic had just struck in and things had taken a virtual turn, my inquisitiveness led me to take up a 12-week online course on "Automation in Manufacturing" on the [PLATFORM] platform – [PLATFORM_FULL_NAME] - which offered me a solid base on the essentials of mechatronics based systems and all the major components associated with it. My enthusiasm and passion even led me to secure 90% in the certification exam and an elite gold badge for the same.

The domain also piqued my curiosity when I attended an audit course on Industrial Automation during my undergraduate period. Helped in gaining knowledge of PLC programming, the study made me understand how it should be utilized for effective automation. Since then, the subject has genuinely held me captivated and motivated me to explore this area on a broader scale fully. For me, the major turning point was during the time I voluntarily joined the [COLLEGE_TEAM] college team that was formed under the [STUDENT_INITIATIVE]. Under this association, my team and I have conducted numerous free workshops on "Introduction to Robotics" where we taught them to build robots such as line follower, obstacle avoider, and path follower bots. The main motive of spreading knowledge about this remarkable discipline was genuinely appreciated by the schools, and I have personally received several letters of appreciation as well. Interacting with students and introducing them to concepts like these, in turn, made me realize how genuinely connected I felt towards this domain.

The fields of Robotics and Automation by then had become the center of allure to me. One of my most incredible experiences was visiting some of the most renowned industries during my second and third years of engineering, which gave me a better insight into the major manufacturing processes carried out in these industries. Witnessing the phenomenal transformation from conventional manual systems to the current generation of intelligent designs bolstered my idea to become a domain expert someday. Further, I completed several similar courses on the [PLATFORM] platform like Machine Learning for All, Material Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Must Know, and Digital Manufacturing & Design. Currently, I am enrolled in the "Modern Robotics: Motion Planning and Control" ([PLATFORM]) specialization course.

My undergraduate curriculum also inspired me to take up several projects as a means to map my theoretical knowledge to practice. Participating in the Annual Science Exhibition/Competition organized by our university, my team worked on a mini-project titled "Stress and Deformation Analysis on Hydraulic Scissor Lift". In this project, we performed analysis on the boundary condition, stress, and deformation on a hydraulic scissor lift bearing a predefined maximum load, even developing a prototype for the same. The experience gave me hands-on exposure to the Ansys software while also strengthening my interpersonal skills as I was responsible for delivering the presentations during the three days exhibition. Buoyed by the outcome of the project, I later proceeded to work on my final year thesis project titled "Development of Areca Nut Grading Equipment by Optimization of Process Parameters using Image Processing and Design of Experiments". Under the guidance of our project guide [PROFESSOR_NAME], we are working on crucial equipment that will replace the hectic manual work required to segregate areca nuts based on quality grading.

Additionally, with a zeal to explore the arena of Research which I was certain will aid me during my Master's program, I underwent a skill-training course titled "Research Writing with LaTeX" and also worked on a mini-project on "Review on Thermoacoustic Refrigeration" on the [PLATFORM] platform. Apart from attaining a stronghold over the LaTeX software, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with peers from different universities and work collectively on the above-mentioned endeavor. Further, my team also presented the paper in our final session and gained immense appreciation for the same.

Presently, I have also enrolled in a virtual internship on "Industrial Robotics" offered by the [PLATFORM] platform. Here, I am working on an industry-based project by utilizing the Virtual Robotics Toolkit and Labview EV3 software. Since the Covid Pandemic has delayed our project work, I am looking forward to joining the September 2022 intake. Having said that, I plan on utilizing this year for gaining a strong fundamental knowledge base through internships, training programs, and even work experience. Being an active member of two important professional bodies of India - the [PROFESSIONAL_ORGANIZATION] and the [PROFESSIONAL_ORGANIZATION], I had the privilege to engage with multiple industry professionals who shared their valuable insights into the current industrial trends.

Apart from academics, social initiatives have always been an integral part of my life. As a part of the [COLLEGE_TEAM] college team, we have visited several schools and provided school students with free robotics workshops aiming to spark curiosity in young minds about robotics and determine its potential to transform the world. We had also invited several school students to our college for workshops and even delivered presentations to our juniors which played an instrumental role in boosting my public speaking skills. Additionally, each year on my birthday, I donate essentials to the nearby old age homes.

After having researched my options, I am convinced that the MS program in Mechatronic Systems at [UNIVERSITY] is perfectly suited for my career prospects. I am really looking forward to collaborating with your eminent faculty and delving deep into your vast curriculum. I would also like to benefit myself by being a part of the different Labs and Student Communities that are present at your esteemed university. Finally, I firmly believe that industrial exposure, skill development, and other activities carried out in the university will help me advance my skill set, and boost my confidence to handle future endeavors effortlessly, and become industry-ready. Hence, I hope you will find merit in my application. Thank you for your consideration.