Good Example Of Statement Of Purpose: Masters In HR And Employment Relations Admission Essay

I am writing to apply for entry to the Master of Science in Human Resources and Employment Relations offered by Penn State’s World Campus. I am an HR professional with a decade of full-time experience in senior positions in Human Resources departments for large organizations, operating in international environments.
Regarding my educational and academic background, I graduated from the American Intercontinental University (AIU) Houston School of Justice in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice (GPA 3.48). I am also studying law with the Law School of the Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacin University (URBE), Venezuela. My current GPA there is 3.55. In addition, through KBR Inc., I have also attended professional training courses as follows: HR Training (2005); Front Line Supervisor Training (2006); SAP Training (2007).
Since August 2013, I have been employed in the role of Industrial Relations (IR) / Security Business Partner for the Bechtel Corporation in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. My various duties and responsibilities include preparation of IR Reports, involvement in preparation and implementation of labor availability studies and labor execution plans, guiding project management on HR / IR issues and investigating employee complaints.
Earlier,( 2011 to 2013), I was the International Industrial Relations Lead Supervisor for the Fluor Daniels Corporation, based in Sugarland Texas, where my role encompassed a wide range of HR and IR functions and responsibilities.
Before my time with KBR Inc., I worked for two years as a Paralegal in a law firm in Houston, Texas. That time was useful for me in acquiring knowledge and skills associated with the legal profession, including becoming acquainted with the legal terminology and gaining familiarity with claims procedures and aspects such as immigration documentation.
Considering my career to date, I can look back on some noteworthy personal accomplishments. Examples include managing a 3,500 employee transition project, and completing it 50 days ahead of schedule. I also streamlined a Corrective Action / Disciplinary process, reducing turnaround time from 30 to 14 days. By reviewing the qualifications of 35 people hired for positions for which they were not certified, I was able to place them in more appropriate positions, saving the company $525,000 in total.
Although I already have a wealth of practical experience and knowledge in the field of HR, undertaking a Masters in Human Resources and Employment Relations (HRER) will be an essential step towards advancing my career. My studies to date have provided what I believe to be a strong theoretical and applied understanding of the field. I am nonetheless very aware that it is necessary to continue studies to keep up with current theory and practice.
I consider this Masters program offered by Penn State to fulfill my needs in that regard. I am already familiar with balancing my work and my family and domestic obligations with my studies, and foresee no difficulties in doing the same while studying for this HRER degree. It will also be an honor to add a Penn State graduation to my resumé.
Having researched the HRER graduate programs available, I was delighted to find that the Penn State courses have the distinction of benefitting from the decades of HRER experience gained by the partner School of Labor and Employment Relations, which is now aligned with the SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Template, and has been granted Approved Provider status by the HR Certification Institute. I note that Paul Clark – director of that school – was recognized as being a driving force behind the success of the HRER degree program, and that the program was launched as long ago as 2008, meaning that it is by now a well-tried and tested course for a graduate degree. Furthermore, its success and popularity is demonstrated by it having the largest enrollment numbers of any of the available World Campus degree programs.
I am also pleased to have learned that as a student studying online, I can obtain just the same high quality of education as the residential students. Furthermore, I can expect a high academic standard for a course taught by the same faculty members possessing real-world experience, who have been specifically trained in online teaching techniques.
I look forward to the studies as per the published curriculum, which begins with building a strong basic knowledge of HR and labor – predominantly a refresher element for me – and then moves on to further courses covering a wide range of key topics and culminating in a capstone class. I am especially enthusiastic about the built-in flexibility of the HRER program, which will allow me the opportunity to choose a specific career track through selecting courses from four concentrations. Overall, I am confident that the program will allow me to enhance and update my existing HR knowledge and skills, which in turn will be a vital step in qualifying me for advancement of my career in HR.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this statement of purpose.