Suggestions and comments on the letter

Cover Letter

This is Mr. Nagarajan Mohan, a highly seasoned, Information Technology specialist Trainer interested in applying for the PhD position in Algorithms/Theory..

With over 12+ years of industry experience, working across multi cultural regions, building teams, solving complex problems, handling customer at all levels and of all teaching a wide range of audience is still helping me mould and learn on a daily basis.

“Knowledge is power and enthusiasm pulls the switch”, the principal on which I live.

My professional side started off in 2000 after I finished my Masters in Computer Application (MCA). It was a humble beginning as a lecturer, teaching introduction to discrete structures, computer oriented statistical methods, data structures, data management systems, design and analysis of algorithms, operation research techniques, object oriented programming with C++, complier design. To my surprise it struck me that I was born to teach and guide. I excelled in guiding the students with their research work, admission and also contributed in many inter college festivals and meets.

The golden period, I call this, when I set my mind to do PhD, but, things took a turn and due to personal reasons I had to move on leaving academic side altogether.

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning today is young. The greatest thing in life is keeping your mind young.”

Based on this, I began a new chapter in life stepping into the big, bold and beautiful world of Information Technology and began my career as a Trainer, training fresh graduates, experienced software professionals, customers, various software products ( telecom billing products, programming skills). As of today, I have developed in many fields by doing multiple roles – trainer, programmer, tester, analyst, team leader to name a few.

No matter what I do, deep inside, the urge to keep my mind and soul young, to continue my studies and research interest keeps surfacing time and again.

I feel that the time is right for me to get back to pursue my interest. Apart from work, my family also plays a very important role in my life- my wife, who stands by me through thick and thin, wonderful children (7 and 1 year old). Being their superhero, it’s my dream to complete my PhD before they grow big.

After a lot of research and reading I see ETH as the right place for me to work for a number of reasons, most notably for its stimulating research culture, for its record of success, its reputation as a trailblazer in the research industry, and the opportunities it offers to highly motivated candidates who desire to make solid contributions and move forward in the research topic.

By virtue of my refined mathematical and programming skills as well as my ability to demonstrate originality, speed of performance, and adroitness in solving highly complex problems, work under pressure and to lead, I see myself as an ideal candidate for this position.

As per the requirement, submitting my curriculum vitae, copies of degree along with list of references and their contact information.

Thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,
Nagarajan, Mohan