A few years ago, during a Drawing and Design class, I was given a project to make a practical toy for children using random household items, also referred to as junk. This assignment became a personal mission for me as it required skills I wasn’t confident in. Ultimately, it was not only receiving the first-place ribbon that confirmed my sense of victory, but also the fact that my determination resulted in accomplishing my personal vision and objective.
My hand-made creation served as a representation of my capabilities and has motivated me to pursue my career goals with the same determined and tenacious spirit. I aspire to become a successful engineer in a global company, taking on leadership responsibilities in the presence of my peers, managers, and higher-ups. Upon earning my degree in mechatronics engineering, I aim to join a company that allows me to put my graduate education and physics-oriented knowledge to use in the high technology industry.
I hope to contribute by participating in significant tasks, projects, and drafting proposals. Initially, I plan to adopt a friendly and tolerant approach, leading to increased involvement. Additionally, I aim to enhance my skills in various aspects of marketing. In five years, I envision reaching a managerial position where I can assume a more significant role in my own tasks and productivity, as well as motivating and boosting the productivity of a team.
I anticipate taking on the various roles of my previous managers, combining their positive qualities with my own character. I look forward to confronting this challenge. In reality, one should anticipate encountering obstacles on their journey towards success. One aspect of my personality that might hinder me is impatience.
Impatience affects many individuals sporadically, but diminishes swiftly. The cause of my impatience is having impractical expectations. These expectations can involve various aspects like family, work, or life in general, and sometimes result in feelings of letdown or irrational choices. One specific instance that comes to mind is the CRM project I oversaw during my tenure at Xerox’s retail organization.
The CRM concept brought a new and innovative approach. The organization was amazed by the revolutionary customer data, enriched with psycho-graphic, demographic, and behavioral information. I felt ecstatic as we finally had access to detailed data about our end users and their buying habits at specific retail outlets.
My role was to inform and educate the marketing team’s decision-makers about the specific findings and CRM concept. I had hoped for immediate change, but my enthusiasm was replaced by disappointment. The “road show” I conducted lasted for several weeks, and I firmly believed that this valuable customer information would provide a fresh perspective to our marketing programs.
Nobody showed any reaction. No one even flinched. Later on, I realized that bringing about significant changes within a large organization or any setting requires time, gradual progress, and above all, patience. It took several months for the CRM program to finally gain the recognition it rightfully deserved.
Upon receiving a new role within the corporate structure of Xerox, I discovered my impatience. It is a personal flaw that requires conscious and deliberate acknowledgement in my actions. While I believe it cannot be completely eradicated, I can make an effort to manage it. To achieve this, I must divide larger objectives or undertakings into more manageable assignments.
By adopting this strategy, I will be able to overcome my impatience by having more realistic and measurable expectations. The feedback from peers and my increasing experience will greatly improve my efforts. The strategic business marketing experience gained at Xerox Corporation, combined with my short-term goal of gaining consumer marketing experience, will create a solid foundation for achieving my long-term career goal.
The MBA degree from the Robert H. Smith School will provide me with the necessary tools for success, including a diverse curriculum, opportunities to study abroad, and an extensive corporate and community network. I am determined to overcome challenges and fulfill my ambition of becoming an accomplished marketing leader.
