Motivation letter

Could you please evaluate my motivation letter to university? I am very nervous.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Motivation

‘If you’re not failing, you’re not pushing your limits, and if you’re not pushing your limits, you’re not maximizing your potential’ (Dalio R., Principles, 2017)

Growing up in the period of Russian Perestroika and Glasnost, formed me aspire to be an independent, ambitious person. To achieve my goals, I have studied abroad in China, gained some experience in the tourism sector, completed my degree as Masters in Production Economics and at the age of 24 started my own travel agency.

The Russian economic crisis in 2014 made my start-up unable to survive within one niche. The financial situation pushed me towards freelancing in web marketing and business development. I was inspired by working with Google AdWords and Yandex Direct, investigating market situations, demands and supply, searching for a target audience. By procuring online courses, learning on the go and emerging myself in Equity and Funds market, I have discovered a passion for finance. I have analyzed Russian actives such as stocks, ETFs, bonds, insurance programs, taxation, inspected different strategies, made my financial portfolio and so on. Although the working experience turned out to be negative, it illustrated my lack of advanced, financial knowledge, skills as well as training.

This lack of knowledge led me to your program. After studying the information, I find the program as a necessary step in improving my potential also an uplifting career in finance and business. I am very excited as it provides a convergence of two professions that I would like to combine; developing business strategies and providing financial advisory. I consider myself capable of constructing and developing technologies for commerce. However, I am looking forward to following the Innovation Management course, as my practice demonstrates that there is not enough theoretical knowledge of the subject among young entrepreneurs. Furthermore, I assume that such courses as Investment Analysis and Financial Risk Management are relevant for everyone who deals with funds.

Working in a traditionally male profession and coming from an Asian minority of Russia, I have faced a prejudicial attitude. In my point of view, Gent University is a highly tolerant institution towards individuals, regardless of their nationality, gender, religion or any other cultural sensitivities.

Historically in the post-Soviet territories, mistakes are considered shameful. It is better not to try rather than to do something inappropriately. Perhaps, this is the main reason why there are not many remarkable events in the field of innovations. I intend to ruin this misconception and assert, with conceivably support from UGent, that mistakes lead to progress, is a crucial element in the learning process.

Future plans

I believe that success is not guaranteed without struggling your way up, taking your subject head-on and having a passion in what you do. Working just for monetary benefit might lead to mental exhaustion. However, finding a passion where we can derive our energy and enthusiasm from is the way to go. My passion is all about helping start-uppers create a professional business that later will be developed and grow.

In a long-term, I see myself running an international company, which provides business support, financial advisory as well as basic financial education to adults and children alike. This is my goal and my endgame where my ambition lies. The steps that required are: achieving a minimum basic of understanding by attaining Master degree in Business Engineering, gaining experience and know-how in a competitive market and third, maybe the most import fact, is to build a contact network in this industry.

Many people are eager to develop their own business. Nonetheless, the progress that needs to be achieved is limited without professional guidance. That is where I would like to come in. I would love to provide professional support and consultation. Moreover, I am willing to learn, share my acquired knowledge and work with innovative and financially sophisticated individuals.

After the program, I will need at least 5-6 years on hand experience to understand the business and the financial sector. The best way of gaining this experience is to have an opportunity of an upright career, which involves working on different positions with peculiar responsibilities. On one hand, this kind of career draws on practical examples how to use strategies, which I have studied during the Master program, and reveals blindsides in job. On the other hand, it is a good approach to making contacts, determining customer demands, employees and management. The process of team building is essential.

Eventually, in 8-9 years, I would like to start my own project with an elaboration of brand-new technologies for business. The location of preference is not critical, as these projects can be performed in Belgium, Russia or any other country. Nowadays we see that the number of online jobs and telecommuting’s is extremely rising. This evolution seems to be progressing and in 10 years’ time, there would be less traditional workplaces.

I am giving myself 15 years to create a strong, healthy and flexible company that will not only earn money but also be appropriate and supportive. I look forward to being capable of responding to the requests from society and keeping myself up to date.

Thank you for considering my application. I am looking forward to hearing from you.