I have always been fascinated with complexity, especially in the world around me. The ways in which old organic structures can turn into entirely new ones through the simplest of chemical reactions was always something that I have held in great interest. This passion for the inner workings of chemistry led me to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the prestigious University of Chittagong in Bangladesh, after placing in the top 10% of the 100,000 students in my state for the University entrance test. I received my degree with honors (receiving a 3.45 GPA) within three years, moving on to pursue my Master’s of Science in Chemistry the following year at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
While there, however, I began to notice myself drawn to a different type of complexity: the world of information technology. Though chemistry holds its own sense of sophistication, I found myself drawn much further into the world of the computer – how it works, why it works, and the ways in which it will change the world to come. I then made the decision to devote the rest of my studies to computer science, attending the University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan in order to receive my MS in Computer Science, with a concentration in Software Engineering. In 2008 I graduated with a 3.33 GPA, and found a job as a technology instructor at the Frontier International Academy. While there, I had many responsibilities related to computer management at the school, including creating databases and maintaining their computer networks.
Following that, I moved on to take a position as a network administrator for the nonprofit organization Helping Hand for Relief & Development in Detroit, focusing on cyber security. I am currently in charge of network security, as well as exercising server management, managing SQL databases, Physical and Virtual PBX’s, and a plethora of other computer-related duties, maintaining the majority of their computer networking and information technology services.
My ultimate aim, however, is to receive a PhD in Technology with a concentration on Information Assurance from Eastern Michigan University. In my search for universities that would provide the diversity and quality of education that I am looking for, the EMU PhD program stood out to me as the institution that had the greatest pedigree, most challenging course curriculum, and the best opportunities for research in my desired field. I am currently participating in the MS in Information Assurance program at EMU for the purpose of continuing my studies, taking PhD level courses in Open Source Security Administration and Interdisciplinary programs in order to prepare for the career path that I wish to take, achieving a CGPA of 3.56. These classes give me a very good idea of what to expect from a PhD program at this university, and the knowledge that I currently carry on the subject is honed further and further each day, imparting perspective and creating a direction to take in my research.
In my pursuit of this doctorate, I hope to give myself the education and resources to continue my own search for knowledge on the subject of information technology and how that can apply to the world at large. Technology is an incredibly powerful tool that, while growing and expanding at an exponential rate over time, is something that can be used to accomplish a great many things, particularly in the arena of social change. In my work at Helping Hands, I have found that information technology and computer networking can be used to help people all around the world; if not directly, it can bring together the people and resources that are necessary to do great things for others, such as provide relief and offer assistance to struggling peoples halfway across the globe.
EMU’s status as an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education provides it the resources and curriculum to properly inform a postgraduate student of the newest and most complex facets of information assurance. EMU has an incredible history of producing virtuoso researchers that are pioneering the field of technology on a regular basis; it is my ardent desire to become one of them, and with your generous approval of my admission into the Technology and Information PhD program, I will be given the tools to become the innovator in the realm of computer science that I wish to be.
My admission into this program is merely the next step in my search to understand the complexity in our world more fully; I hope that you will bear that in mind, in addition to my hard work and achievements up to this point, as you make your decision. Thank you very much for your consideration, and I look forward to becoming another student of the EMU College of Technology.
