MBA 'letter of intent'

this is getting sent to the UNR business school. any serious problems, let me know before I make prove you all right and prove i'm an idiot.
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Personal Statement

Albert Einstein once said, "Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school." To Einstein, education was clearly a stumbling block, the epitome of unoriginality, but to me it is something quite different. Education dictates that the current generation learns from the mistakes of the past while also delivering the skills that bring a long and productive contribution to society. These skills are a learned behavior and to master them we must know and understand what is expected. There are two ways to know: experience and education. I am well on my way in experience, but happily look forward to the fact that an education will take a lifetime to achieve.

My education began in a single room school and I was one of only three students. My twin brother and I excelled in reading and were soon reading well above our expected level. Around 5'th grade I transferred to another Christian school that had around 60 students. For high school I attended the boarding academy of Campion Academy where I graduated in 1997.

I attended Walla Walla College from the fall of 1997. I started in the engineering program and finished with a BSE, a concentration in electrical engineering, and a minor in mathematics. The classes were challenging and as I later learned, the professors did a very good job of preparing me for a professional role in the workplace.

My father was a field engineer for Honeywell and repaired mainframe computers. It was solely his influence that gave me the desire to be an electrical engineer. During my senior year of high school I hired on to the same division that my father worked for. The age of the mainframe had passed and he now serviced small personal computers. I was offered a full time job, and my parents left it up to me to decide if I wanted to work full time or continue my education by going to college. Even as only a senior in high school I could see the positive effect that a college education had had on my parents life so I opted to go to college.

All in all, my parents and I have paid around $80,000 for my Christian education. Up until now, I have only attended private Christian schools. I was once of the impression that a private education was of a higher quality than what is provided through public education but I no longer hold that view. Through the association with my coworkers it has become obvious that the competence and value that an employee provides is not as dependant on what schools they have attended but more to the dedication and perseverance that is put forth. In the work place, an education is usually reduced to the common denominator of being a requirement for a position and once that requirement has been meet, management assume your competency in the field. With that said, I would never waste my time with a non-accredited school. I have seen to many cases where people have to start all over because the classes they have taken do not count towards a degree when they transfer schools. I am very glad to see that the UNR business school is not only accredited but is also held in high regard by the members of the community.

My professional career began in 2001 when I was hired by XXXXXXX as a test engineer. About 6 months later YYYY acquired XXXX and my induction into corporate America was completed. Engineering has provided a very solid foundation and the truths and concepts are universally applicable to problem solving methodologies. I have found that my role as an engineer has been valued because the ability to define, develop, and solve most any problem. I obtained my six sigma green belt certification within YYYY soon after the acquisition. In 2004 I obtained my Professional Engineering certification. When I compare what the two certifications have done for me I am amazed to see the green belt certification has actually done more for my career than the much harder and complicated PE certificate. Solid management, good underlying principals, and high integrity are key ingredients in a successful company. An MBA will help me to further balance my toolset and mindset when I tackle corporate problems.

Starting in March I am transferring from engineering to supervisor. I am now in a position to utilize the skills I learn in school WHILE I am in school. To me this is the best of both worlds; the application of education will help to solidify my immediate success as I take on the new role of supervisor. An MBA from UNR will help me to be successful, whether I choose engineering or management as my long-term role.


Sincerely,
Keith ZZZZ, PE