Statement of Purpose for PhD in Spatially Integrated Social Sciences Program, Application Essay Example

Spatially Integrated Social Sciences, as a field, had fascinated me always all the way from my undergraduate and master level, my field attachments and work experiences have inspired me to get even more interested to studying the spatial dimension of human and social dynamics that involves interacting with the society. I believe my interest in pursuing PhD program in Spatially Integrated Social Science Program is derived from the fact that I have worked in this field of applying the geographical science and related dimensions of human and social dynamics for a long time. My undergraduate (civil engineering) and masters (transportation) degree in Engineering has given me a very strong foundation to my analytical skills as civil and transportation engineering involves complex and intricate calculations and application of various skills.

Civil engineering mainly involves learning various geographical aspects including Geographical Information System (GIS), remote sensing, and digital cartography among others. Transportation engineering involves designing and developing the traffic signal loops and plans, designing the highways and roundabouts, geographical information system, traffic flow theory among others. These are some of the areas that make me get interested on applying this knowledge and get deeper on the information of how I can be able to interact with the society, government and the market participants. In transportation engineering, I have able to gain extensive knowledge on various aspects involving traffic controls, CCTV’s and also analyzing traffic impacts.

I have a lot of experience on practical skills in engineering sector as a project engineer in Advantech Consulting Engineers, Diamond Bar, CA where I developed database for 350 intersections of Anaheim City pertaining to Traffic Signal Controller and communication hubs. As a project engineer, I have also drawn CAD bases and designed OCTA Beach Boulevard CCTV of Orange County for 14 intersections. I have also performed a traffic impact analysis for a restaurant cum hotel in Irmindale, CA where I analyzed and wrote reports as well as graphics. I have worked as an assistant Transportation Engineer with DKS Associates in Irvine, CA where I was able to design and develop the traffic signal modifications plans to accommodate the street cars in Portland city and other design projects in counties. At the University of Toledo, I was a GIS analyst in Facilities Information System where I prepared way finding maps for the University of Toledo West Bancroft in ArcGis and updating of the AutoCAD drawings and GIS files of the Campus buildings. I have extensive knowledge as a teaching Assistant in the Civil Engineering Department where I evaluated the students in courses like Transportation Engineering 1, Transportation Engineering II and Engineering Economics. I was able to gain better oral communication skills from this experience. I have also worked as civil engineer in SPCL, India where I developed various road alignment of cross roads and side roads. All these work experiences have enabled me to get diversified skills that have motivated me towards being interested to study more on their applications.

In the future, I see myself being a professional and expert in applying the geographical information science, spatial statistics, spatial econometrics and spatial analysis in studying the spatial dimension of human and social dynamics. This includes the interaction of the individuals and society, the government and market participants. I will also be able to learn more on statistical theory that deals with techniques and the topics ranging from spatially weighted regression analysis to error theory in spatially distributed data, spatial interpolation and sampling methods and the effects of scale and resolution in geographically distributed data.

Having idea and some knowledge on analysis of information and data, this gives me a better chance of being able to pursue this course as it involves extensive analysis of various aspects. I believe my educational background and work experiences have instilled good qualities required to meet that which this course may demand. They have given me strong foundation to enable me to thrive in this course. Thereafter, this PhD program will not only have given me sound and firm grounding to the Spatial Social Sciences field, but it will teach me vital skills on how to manage, lead and even collaborate well with people. It will also help me to gain knowledge in analyzing and solving problems.

I strongly feel that this PhD program in Spatial Social Sciences is a highly structured program as it will provide the right balance between the practice and theory. It will also enable me an opportunity of applying my knowledge in real world problems.

I hope that my background and other qualifications are suitable for securing an admission for a PhD program in Spatial Social Sciences for Fall 2010 session.