I’ve always thought that it takes a lot of leadership skills to inspire people to work not just for the sake of working, but for the sake of reaching a common goal. Leaders ought to always bring the team’s standard at the fore, keeping his or her subordinates reminded of the quality of work that they should always produce. But to be able to get your members to internalize and actualize that kind of working habit, the leader himself or herself should always be able to reach those standards.

However, standards should not be static. It should be constantly improved to meet the demands of time. And as standards change, so too should the quality of work be. Workers are mandated by company policy to always meet and even exceed those standards. And in this, leaders should take the lead.

I had the feel of this phenomenon in my life in the academe and in the business world. As a student I’ve been involved in extracurricular activities and organizations that utilized and tested my leadership skills. As I leader, I’ve always felt the need to continually improve myself. Not only did I strive to obtain as much academic knowledge as I could within the classroom’s walls, I also allowed myself to learn through interactions with other people. I involved myself in various  social and political activities: gaining experiences, honing my skills, and building my network.

I did not stop my education even after school. I used every opportunity at work to learn and improve. I started from the bottom, ascending the career ladder in the business world step by step. I went through every position until I became a manager, appreciating each member’s goal in a business organization. As a manager in that Information Technology company, a had hands-on experience not just in marketing, programming, and graphic design but also in manpower handling.

Having gone through all those experiences, I realized how big the responsibilities of leaders are. Decision-making and management are among the most crucial skills that could make or break a leader in a snap. It is based on these two factors that leaders gain or lose their subordinates’ respect. And I’ve made it my goal to be as effective as I can be in those two aspects.

I’ve worked in many different environments, and doing so gave me the advantage of versatility, flexibility and readiness to changes. My various experiences do not just involve hands-on experiences on different work functions and capabilities, but also exposure to many places and cultures. I have traveled across national borders, learning different languages and dealing with different kinds of people.
Because of these experiences, I know that I could fit in fairly well in the world of graduate education.

Through all those endeavors, I have learned. And I intend to continue learning, increasing my business and management skills in both breadth and depth. I intend to continue improving myself to become a more effective leader, and a better person. Learning does not stop, and as for me, I want a graduate education to be part of it.

Thank you so much for your consideration.

Photo Credit : takomabibelot

Life always has drawbacks. We often take so much time pondering over the difficulties and challenges in life that we tend to overlook its joys and graces. For a couple of times now, I’ve seen myself before doors leading to success and happiness. But just as often, I see them all close one by one, barring me out. Yet, experience has taught me that I shouldn’t let any failure or disappointment devour me. Life is fun and beautiful just as much as it is challenging. Everything that happens has its own importance. The smallest germ could affect an entire body. And I, small as I may seem compared with the world at large, can affect the universe. And this is what I’m after: pursuing higher education, and making an impact to the world.

It has already been established through the ages: life is not free of hardships. But we sometimes dwell too much on those hardships that we tend to forget that happiness in life is simply about being happy, and not being free from trials. We sometimes lose focus; we forget where we want to go. And this loss of direction affects us largely as persons and as professionals.

However, our goals shouldn’t be for us alone. In setting them, we should also think of others. Success is not merely having achievements of your own: it is “being able to use your achievements for others, and for the world”. Fulfillment is another thing: it is being able to use your achievements for others, for the world, and for your self. Yes. Being compassionate, charitable and service-oriented does not require that you deprive yourself of the joys of life. I believe that success in business can be tied with true-blue service. My aim is to be equipped with business and marketing education, and to be able to use this knowledge in service of others. I’d like to merge my creativity and ideals with business knowledge and skills to create a strong impact on the world, making the field of marketing communications as my medium.

For me, life is about taking sides. You have to believe in something, and stand for it. You have to want something, and work hard to make it happen. But simply wanting is not enough. I also believe in the importance of formal education in reaching a goal, particularly involving you as a professional. It is in this light that I’m aspiring to gain formal access to the theoretical concepts involving the world that I intend to penetrate.

It is the “fulfillment” that I am after, trying to achieve something, and using this achievement for others, for the world, and for myself. In doing these, a formal education in business and marketing is my stepping stone. Studying may not be easy. But it has already been established through the ages: life is not free of hardships. Keeping that fact, and my ultimate goal, “fulfillment”, in mind, I’m ready to take the challenge.

I’m thanking you so much for your consideration.

Photo Credit : shiriwebb