Below is the SOP Sample for MS in Packaging
‘Packaging can be theatre, it can create stories’. I correspond to this quote by Steve Jobs as I have perceived the importance of packaging. Through and through I have realized that packing is done for the consumers who buy ‘packing’ along with the product. This interest was sparked inadvertently; as a child when I used to visit the factory premises owned by my father’s friends. Owing to a large empty area at the factory, it had become a favorite place for me and my cousins to create childhood memories. My relentless playing sessions at the factory premises, until I grew up, stimulated me to observe the packing done at the factory. I was often attracted to the visuals of packing and began noticing how they designed and packaged different products. As I grew older I began to connect the dots. Everything that I consumed came packed, from fruits to baby products, to items used daily. This intrigued me first towards the technology behind packing and now I am motivated to understand its enormous scope. Thus, I feel that an MS in Packaging will be imperative to measure the impacts of packaging.
To this dream, my undergraduate course in Mechanical engineering became the ambit to enter into the technical world. Learning how atoms, molecules, and natural resources react drew my interest. It was during this time that I studied subjects like Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. These subjects accentuated my learning in Technical and scientific domains where I began analyzing and researching sustainable products. I recall the initiation of this interest was not contemporary and had its roots in the time when I often visited my father’s farmhouse to spend the weekends. That was when my love for agriculture and its bi-products enlarged. Apart from this realization, from my undergraduate course, I fathomed how electricity powers matter and how we can change materials using it. All this learning happened in the span where I understood how electricity is created how it reacts how it can be transferred and can create insulation (another form of packaging material) to contain the electricity etc.
The projects that I did amplified my learning. I worked on a project titled, The Flow to Lungs, a prototype model to analyze the capacity of human lungs, and a project Titled, Composition and Simulation of Key Indicators of Wind Power Generation”, which was my final year project. This project determined the mathematical model of the wind turbine. It also involved validating it through simulation and eventually designing an appropriate controller for efficient energy production. I was carried away by this and conducted research too. This led to a presentation of the research paper that entails all deductions and conclusions.
Subsequently, I plunged into the professional arena at Siemens. Although I wanted to begin my academic sojourn in packaging soon after the completion of my under graduation, due to COVID-19 I succumbed to plan B. This was a great decision as I became familiar with my technical skills in Epicor and Oracle which was also a rewarding feat as I come from a Mechanical Engineering background. Soon, my trainer analyzed my data analytical skills and recommended me to another team. In the new team, I worked as a service control analyst for Flint Group and took charge of the project singlehandedly along with 5 newcomers, as my seniors in the team left the organization due to unforeseen reasons.
Erstwhile, I have interned at Ras Lafan Power Company. This internship explained the foundation of the manufacturing process, from creation to making an entire PV module, packing, and arranging science and technology behind it. I also conducted live studies for them, which were later implemented.
Apart from working, Covid-19 provided time to explore how a business is run. I started a small business called ‘Map of the Soul’ along with two other friends. I began this to satiate my love for creativity and art. This was initiated with a motto that everyone can paint where we sell fluid art kits for art lovers who don’t need any expertise to paint. This has also exposed me to other allied aspects like marketing, budgeting, cost-effectiveness, etc. Creativity has enabled me to bring out my passion for packaging from the design and visual point of view. Half the proceeds of the business were well spent on cooking food for stray dogs and homeless people.
At this juncture, where I have been exposed to all streams of technology, I feel the need to attain a streamlined and focused course in Packaging. An MS will take me further to learn the science and engineering behind packaging how various things react, the design aspects, and how to make better packaging to create eco-friendly packaging along with their promotion. My short-term goal is to venture into the packaging industry and learn its synergy with Science, Technology, Business, Marketing, and Management aspects. This will mold me into someone with dexterity and profoundness about the ways I can utilize my knowledge of packing in a professional arena. As I gain acumen, I envisage creating my products and their packaging. As someone who cares about the environment, I intend to bring sustainable packaging to a platform where it gets widely accepted. I wish to become that platform so I can promote the power of sustainable packaging along with implementing my knowledge in packaging.
As a sports enthusiast, my interests were also manifold. Without any deviation from academics, I was a part of the school team and won tournaments in football in school and college too. I was the treasurer in 10th grade, Deputy head girl in 10th, and the school prefect. These positions and participations endowed me with a sense of responsibility. I also worked on the ‘Gleam of Light’ campaign which was a community project where I and my team made solar-powered LED bulbs with waste. These were installed in the nearby slum.
Pursuing an all-encompassing MS in Packaging, I am enthused to apply to your esteemed university. I am happy to learn the pedagogy followed at your University, which is a perfect confluence of theory and practical work that will proffer me an understanding of packaging design, project management, package testing, quality control, and even product marketing. This will enable me to accomplish my long-term goal. I am also captivated by the research facilities and the professors, studying under whom I will be able to ascertain my goals and holistic learning.
To manifest my goals, I will optimally utilize my time at your renowned University. I am looking forward to being a part of the intellectual cohort at your established institution.