After my undergraduate study in Civil Engineering, I feel delighted with my decision to choose

engineering as my career option as it has revealed the most pragmatic and down-to-earth
approach to tackling human problems to me. My enthusiasm, coupled with scope for
innovations and opportunities available in the field of Civil Engineering, has motivated me to
opt for graduate studies.

In this ever-changing world of Engineering and Technology, where each new day sees a spate of
new concepts and applications and each passing day makes them obsolete, I want to attain the
highest level of education and transcend new horizons in the chosen field. The vast application
potential and tremendous scope for a top career in civil engineering always fascinate me, and I
am keen to continue my academic pursuit in this field.

I believe this is the only field where one’s work can be seen and felt directly by the senses and
anything done stays forever to the credit. This is the field which requires a lot of patience,
perseverance and management skills to be successful. These are qualities which need to be
nurtured with a lot of motivation, hard work and my undergraduate program at Xiamen
University in China has enabled me to clear my fundamentals and reinforced my idea for this
objective.

Given my interest in graduate study, it was the field of structural engineering that captured my
curiosity. Structural engineering has invariably contributed to the development of industry and
infrastructure. My strong background in related courses such as structural mechanics, bridge
engineering, concrete and steel design, gave me a deep understanding about the complex
interactions existing among the components of the structural system and the intricacies of the
planning process for such a dynamic system.

My professional work experience has also contributed significantly to honor this noble field of
structural engineering. Working as a structural engineer through my current job position at AI
Engineers, where I conduct and assist with engineering design and inspection such as bridges,
tunnel and other working drawings has equipped me with valuable experience which thus laid
the seeds for graduate study.

The practical knowledge I gained working as a field engineer at Clark construction at

Washington DC also broaden my horizon and deepen my understanding of complicated design
and construction project. Working with the quality control team for most of the project gave
me good insight about how poor planning and use of the resources both human and materials
played a significant role in the problems encountered on the project. The thought of why the
project manager should provide the smooth and efficient running of the project also inspires
me to further my education in the field have aim genuinely.
My strategy for graduate study will, therefore, be prolonged one wherein I shall be
consolidating my knowledge in a more specific way and acquire the skills needed to further my
career in structural engineering. I am confident that when I make the transition into the
master’s program, I will be building on a strong foundation gained both at different work
placements and undergraduate study.

My resolve to undertake this program at UMass is premised on extensive research and broad
consultations with the aim that this degree is perfectly aligned with my long-term goals. The
university's master program in structural engineering perfectly suits someone like me with a
background in civil engineering. This will put to optimum use of my academic and professional
expertise.

I want to get acquitted with the latest industry practices which can sharpen my problem-solving
skills and make me an asset to any organization and my home country at large, as someone
who can design the most reliable, safest and acceptable solution to process problems. I believe
that a graduate degree program at Umass will not only improve my management, leadership,
and business, technical and engineering skills but also open a path for good career and
accomplish my career objective. This degree will fuse various disciplines and provide me with
vital transferable skills to be successful on a global scale.

After obtaining my master’s degree in structural engineering, I aim to continue my career and
acquire Professional Engineer Certificate (P.E) here in the US and continue my studies to obtain
a PhD degree thereafter. With this substantial educational background and wealth in modern
knowledge, it is also my utmost ambition to return to my home country, Togo and assist in the
practical utilizing of theoretical knowledge that I have acquired in structural engineering and
project management.