As defined by UMD:

The Academic Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how this graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.

My Statement:

Software development, much like carpentry, is a creative trade.  Similar to the carpenter, software developers have tools unique to their trade.  It is familiarity with these tools that define the master craftsman.

Currently, I work on a research and development team at Ford Motor Company.  My responsibilities include coming up with and implementing proof-of-concept software for in-vehicle solutions.  In this position I am able to create and explore solutions to new problems.  This position has helped solidify my goal to be a leader of innovation as either a research and development team leader or software entrepreneur.  It has also helped me understand the exciting power of my trade.

I began my studies at Henry Ford Community College, where I received my associates degree in liberal arts.  Soon afterwards I enrolled in the Computer and Information Science program at the University of Michigan, Dearborn where I graduated with a 3.5 GPA.  While there, I studied the fundamentals of my field by taking classes such as Operating Systems, Database Management Systems, Computer Architecture, and Artificial Intelligence.  Outside of the classroom I was an avid participant in many algorithmic competitions including events sponsored by the Consortium For Computing Science in Colleges and the Association of Computer Manufacturers’ International Collegiate Programming Competitions.  I have competed on teams that have ranked in the top 10 in multiple competitions including a second place victory. 

The programming competitions were a passion of mine while I was attending the university.  As I continued to seek them out, my abilities as a programmer grew tremendously as well as my general understanding of the science.  What I found in these competitions I am now seeking at the University of Michigan - depth of understanding and expertise.  What is unique about the Rackham graduate school, is the availability of quality education with the option of online study.  While I currently work in the Dearborn area, I fully realize that my goals may take me elsewhere during the course of my study, or may even limit the number of regular hours available for study.  Rackham offers me the opportunity to hone my craft in an efficient manner that can account for any changes that my future may bring.

With a concentration in System Applications and Computer Graphics, I will be able to become an expert in computer science fundamentals and study an exciting growing area of the field.  It also allows me professional opportunities in traditional, as well as the maturing computer gaming and digital imaging, industries.  By choosing this academic degree, I can also explore doctoral studies in the future.  

The Rackham Graduate school gives me a more robust and fully featured toolset for creation, empowering me to become great at what I do - to become a master craftsman.  It allows me to gain and grow expertise as I begin an exercise in lifelong learning.