|
Sample:
Statement Of Purpose
Sample
SOP's
Engineering
Statements
by Americans,The Engineering Student
A simple bridge truss was the first structure I ever analyzed. The
simple combination of beams that could hold cars, trains, and
trucks over long spans of water fascinated me. Having the tools to
analyze the loads on the truss further increased my interest in
structures. I encountered the bridge in a textbook for my first
engineering class.
Knowing
that the professor, Mr. John Doe, was a tough teacher, I asked him
for the textbook so I could study and get ready for the class over
the summer. Just arrived from Belize, I was determined to succeed.
In class we learned about forces on simple members and then we put
the members together to form a simple truss. At this point I had
almost decided that structural engineering was the career for me.
From there the class just took off: We went on to frames,
distributed loads, considered friction; basically we were
incorporating real world considerations into structural members. I
loved the practical, problem solving aspects of the field.
At
UC my classes were even more advanced. In my analysis and design
classes, I especially enjoyed studying steel design because we not
only learned the use of the load resistance factor design but also
applied that knowledge — I designed a four-story building. The
professor was a practicing engineer, and he always related the
subject to real life steel structures he had engineered, for
example, the SB Medical Center, an all steel building with a base
isolated campus. This is the kind of project on which I would like
to work, designing the structure and considering how the building
will respond to ground motion. After two quarters of structural
analysis, I had come as close as possible to analyzing real world
structures. Looking back I realize, I had learned great tools for
structural analysis, but my "tool box" was still
inadequate. I lacked a very important tool: finite element
analysis. According to my professor, finite element analysis has
revolutionized structural analysis.
Although
I liked my classes, my internship experiences really confirmed my
interest in structural engineering. While working at Caltrans as a
student volunteer, I reviewed computer grading output for streets
under construction. The computer suggested numbers for the road
grading, and I had to plot the numbers and make sure there were no
abrupt grade changes so the water can drain off easily to the
sides of the road. It was exciting to know that I was the last
checkpoint before the whole project went for approval. It was
enjoyable working on something real — Main Street — but I was
somewhat disappointed I did not have the chance to work on any
structures.
At
UC I volunteered through the Student Research Program to work in
the geotechnical library. I worked directly with a doctoral
student and helped him to develop a geotechnical data base for the
local area. I interpreted the data Caltrans had collected and
recorded it in a form accessible to the computer and easy to read.
It took hours to finish the job, but I enjoyed the precision
involved so I did not mind putting in the time. My supervisor
liked my work so much, he hired me to continue the project during
the summer. Working on this project also showed me the importance
of soils in determining buildings’ responses to earthquakes and
awakened my interest in the response of skyscrapers to seismic
stress and movement.
At
First Choice U, I plan to enroll in the structural engineering and
geomechanics program. In this program I hope to draw on my
structural analysis and geotechnical research background as a
foundation for studying more advanced concepts. I am particularly
interested in researching the ties between the structural
engineering, geomechanics, and applied mechanics. I believe
research is necessary to acquire data and formulate theories, but
it is just as important to know how to apply those theories and
use that data in the real world. I hope to be involved in some
structurally related research at First Choice U. I am particularly
interested in two research facilities: The Structures and
Composites Laboratory and the Earthquake Engineering Center.
After
completing my degree in engineering and working on engineering
projects, I know I want to design structures. That is what has
fascinated me since I took Mr. Doe’s class. I also know,
however, that designing structures of a complexity that appeals to
me requires "more tools in my toolbox." Those I can
acquire only by continuing my education. To be competent and
competitive I will need a masters degree. After completing my
degree, I would like to work for an American engineering
consulting firm and engineer complex structures and tall
buildings, perhaps focusing on the problems surrounding designing
for earthquakes. My long-term goals are to return to Belize and
found my own engineering consulting firm there.
Structural
engineering will allow me to pursue a career where I can be
creatively involved in problem-solving and design functional
structures, like the simple truss bridge that initially captivated
me in Mr. Doe’s class. My classes, work at Caltrans, and
internship in geotechnical engineering have increased my knowledge
of and interest in structural engineering since I first looked at
the textbook shortly after my arrival in the U.S. A masters degree
will give me the up-to-date tools and knowledge to be competitive
and competent.
Our
SOP Services >>>
Sample
SOPs >>>
HOT
SOP Tips>>>
|
