With enough water, sunshine, and through the experts hand of a hardworking farmer, the seed can blossom and give us a bountiful harvest in time. I see myself as that seed that is still to be nurtured in a fertile soil. Standing from where I am right now, I believe that the best way for me to reach my full potentials is to earn an MBA degree so I can find a suitable career in the agro-business field. On the forefront of the latest innovations in technology and with a business mindset, I believe I can make a significant contribution to the agricultural industry of Zimbabwe and even manage my own farm someday. Staying true to the adage “you reap what you sow,” hardwork, patience, and dedication are the most valued traits I have, as I worked my way through, from being an assistant farm manager to a project manager who’s involved with different facets of the agriculture business including marketing, technical support, planning, and financial management.
Sample Outline
I. Introduction
A. Comparing myself to a seed that needs water, sunshine, etc. to grow
B. Trying to reach my full potentials through an MBA degree
i. finding a suitable career in the agro-business field
ii. making a significant contribution to Zimbabwe’s agriculture industry
C. Using the adage “what you reap is what you sow” as inspiration
i. hardwork, patience, and dedication as my valued traits
ii. working my way through from being an assistant farm manager to a project manager
II. Educational background
A. Getting a Diploma in Agriculture at ________
B. Taking up a Bsc in Agricultural Managemen at ________
C. Specific courses taken up
i. Crop Husbandry
ii. Animal Husbandry
iii. Agric Husbandry
iv. Farm Management
v. Management Development 1 & 2 at _____
vi. Certificate of Environmental Impact Assessment
III. Relevant work experience
A. Project Manager at _____
i. summary of duties and responsibilities
B. Water Training Officer at ______
i. summary of duties and responsibilities
C. District Coordinator
i. summary of duties and responsibilities
D. Assistant Farm Manager
i. summary of duties and responsibilities
IV. Applying for an MBA program
A. Career objective
i. seeking for a suitable and appropriate career in the field of Agro-business, Agriculture and Finance
B. Expectations from the MBA program
i. enhancing knowledge and skills on marketing, technical support, planning, and financial management.
C. Long-term objectives
i. where I see myself five years from now (managing my own farm)
My father has always reminded me that I am very lucky to have the opportunity to study in American schools. My cousins back home in Korea are still struggling with the English language, quite like I used to struggle, especially during my first year here as a college student. I was afraid that my mistakes would be laughed at, and was even more afraid that I would not even realize what those mistakes were. I had always been the fearless kind, the one who took the lead and the one people could rely on because of my self-confidence. In Korea, I was a sports enthusiast; I tried every kind of daring sport. So, I used to have a daredevil image. People did not dislike me because of this though, because I still took the time to join community projects. I also helped manage my family’s business from the time I turned twelve. It might have started with something simple, like manning the shop, but it had taught me responsibility and the ability to interact with various kinds of customers. However, the new environment seemed to strip me off that confidence completely. Because of this, I sometimes would have severe homesickness and had to make frequent calls to my family. I managed to put myself back into practical mode though, reminding myself of the cost of overseas calls. On campus and elsewhere, I was able to practice my English. I was no longer the person I used to be proud of, the person who always knew what to do and seemed to do things according as planned. However, I became a new person I could be proud of: I had learned how to swallow my pride and keep on speaking even my English was much less than perfect. With the aid of good American friends, and even other foreign students who were here years before me, I was able to find a niche where there was no need to be ashamed. The time when I learned how to laugh at myself was the time that I was also more than willing to work longer hours on the English language. And, so I did. I read English novels and magazines, and watched movies that had been recommended by professors. Finally, I knew that I was making good progress.
I have graduated with excellent grades, and with a proficiency for English. Now, I think it is time to take the next step, be braver,and earn my MBA degree. My father has sent me here with the investment of not just money, but also his very heart, and the desire to make me something different. He wants me to achieve something better than what he has achieved in life. Because of this, I want him to experience the fruits of his labor by taking home an MBA degree that will help our small business prosper.
Photo Credit : sebh
An MBA degree is something that I want to have for myself. And I believe that I have come a long way for it. Ten years ago, I was just the average shy college freshman. But I have managed to come out of that particular personality. I engaged myself in activities that have developed me into the confident person I am now. I was involved in different college organizations back in my college years. This, I believe, propelled me to take more responsibilities. I also became exposed to so many things. These particular experiences that I had back in college became my ultimate survival kit in my career.
Now that I am on the verge of making my dream a reality, I really feel so excited and pumped up. The MBA program I chose focuses on International Relations. I believe that this program would be an avenue for me to learn more foreign languages. I am a fluent speaker of Spanish. As a matter of fact, I have been immersed in the Spanish culture for quite a long time. This new experience made me believe that the business field is a global industry. It is a never-ending but fulfilling quest. Thus, it is best that I be equipped with the necessary information. This particular MBA program would help me in preparation for my planned career expansion. Aside from this, I want to put up my own international management consulting company. And the curriculum of this MBA program would help me to do that.
Although my colleagues say that I have achieved so many things, I still feel that I only have mediocre accomplishments. This is brought by my search for a higher form of learning. After all, humans can only learn so much. I want to elevate my standard so I could say that I have improved myself. And an MBA degree will help me prepare for this crucial transformation. Aside from this, I think that going back to school is a humbling experience. School is a place where I would be able to refresh myself. For me, enrolling in an academic institution would feel like going back to the basics. It is an avenue to make myself adept to the upcoming changes and improvements in my chosen field. And after all the hard work, it is nice to come back to a place that would feel like home.
There is still more than enough room for improvement after I get my MBA degree. I know that finishing this academic requirement would not be the last step; it is just the first of many. And I feel that the program of ______ University would assist me as I climb my ladder of success.
Photo Credit : David the Pimp Daddy
Experience has taught me that sports can play a relevant role in instilling leadership skills. My sport, gymnastics, may be regarded by some as merely a set of difficult physical maneuvers but it has taught me how to work not just on my own but also with a team. It is also all about innovation. With the introduction of a new difficult move, you make history. However, teamwork is never only on the sidelines in gymnastics. Unfortunately, most people see only the individual claiming the medal; few do not see teammates helping one another by stretching each other’s limbs to become more flexible, spotting each other as a safety precaution, and motivating one another before a routine. Discipline is also an integral part of becoming a good gymnast. Through the sport, I have learned to work hard for something that I truly want. Now, I am planning to apply into the University of _____ MBA program. I know that my previous skills, learnings, and values will contribute in making me the ideal MBA candidate. By earning an MBA degree, I can proceed to become an innovative entrepreneur, someone who is always ready to create the next best thing.
Of course it was not all sports when I was in college. I had also acquired some skills in business through my college major, which was Business Administration. My major had proved to be a big help later on when I joined the workforce. After graduation, I was eager to make practical use of my skills and learnings. Because I have always valued innovation in anything I do, I decided to try the fast lane of advertising as an advertising account executive. The work proved to be both challenging and rewarding. I was again immersed in a world where teamwork is very much valued and where creativity is a must. As an advertising account executive, I was a constant witness to the exchange of ideas because I had to oversee the finalization of advertising campaigns. Being in charge of deadlines of course made me work with all the people involved in the ad campaign. However, I knew that I had always longed for more. Therefore, I decided to try my luck in enrolling into an MBA program.
Some people may misconstrue my commitment to innovation as a constant need for change. Though change is sometimes good, my road toward having an MBA degree is still straightforward. My experiences as an athlete, as a Business Administration graduate, and as an advertising account executive are all working together to form the person that I am now. With my leadership skills, I feel that I am headed toward the right choice, which is an MBA degree. I know that I will be able to not just cope but also contribute to the dynamic field of business. I have always tried my very best in everything that I do. My accomplishments have not made me lax, rather they continue to urge me forward.
