Queen’s PSE (300 Words)

In an essay of 300 words or fewer (approximately 1950 characters with spaces), write about your goals for your time at Queen's University and beyond. Your answer will be evaluated for content and writing style.

 

My primary goal during my time at Queen's University is to broaden my perspective and motivate my desire for proactive change in the society around us. Without indulging in too many clichés and hollow phrases, I want my time at Queen's to include moments where I am constantly being inspired and challenged by the intelligent people that are part of the Queen's community. I want to leave with a degree that I hope will give me a competitive advantage in the job market and an alumni network that will benefit me in my professional endeavors. I want to leave Queen’s with an awareness of all the possibilities for success that exist in our global village.

 

My long term goal beyond my time at Queen’s University involves taking advantage of emerging markets in places like China, Dubai, and Nigeria. My main interests include property development and alternative energy sources, industries which I hope to become more exposed to during my time here at Queen’s. Initially I would love to work with a property development firm in one of these countries, become acquainted with the business culture and eventually start my own business that will specify on catering to the emerging middle class in these countries.

 

It is quite evident how a degree in business or engineering would benefit me if I decided to go this route; but I also believe that a Queen’s degree will be even more beneficial due to its recognition around the world and the popular exchange program in its third year commerce program which would help me develop contacts globally even from the infant stages in my career. I truly believe that a degree from Queen’s University will be an integral part of me achieving my goals.

 

Queen’s Commerce Essay (2 X 300 words)

School of Business Essay Questions Please answer both questions.

 

1. In 300 words, or fewer, please demonstrate the research you have done to ensure that Queen’s Commerce Program is the right fit for you.

 

 

Immediately, one of the most attractive aspects of the Queen’s commerce program was its national prestige and acclaim. Commerce has consistently distinguished itself, evident by finishing in the top 5 business schools in studies done by the Globe and Mail and Maclean’s. Queen’s is also well known for consistently sending students to work for top companies in the Investment Banking industry such as Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, which is one of the fields I am interested in. Attending a school with such strong connections with these companies would certainly offer me an advantage when searching for jobs and internships. Another benefit which attracts me to Queen’s university is the numerous networking opportunities offered by the school, for example the networking event that Queen’s organized with the Boston Consulting Group is one of many unique opportunities which is only available to students at certain elite level business schools in the country and being accepted into the Queen’ program would provide me with many similar networking opportunities.

However, for me the factor which distinguished Queen’s Commerce from all the other business schools in the country is the exchange program. Truthfully, when I read about this opportunity I became very excited and my entrepreneurial visions immediately began materializing. I have a long term goal of working in countries with emerging markets such as China, Dubai and Nigeria and going on an exchange to one of these countries would provide me with the perfect opportunity to develop contacts with individuals in this country. For example, the partnerships Queens has with Peking University, Guanghua School of Management or Tsinghua University. The combination of all these various factors is why I believe that Queen’s is the right business school for me.

 

2. The greatest lessons in life tend to come from challenging experiences. In 300 words, or fewer, please tell us about a challenging experience you have faced, and what you have learned from it.

 

My grade eleven year of high school was a very difficult time for me, yet, it was definitely a character building experience that taught me a lot. I had it all planned out, I would hand in my application for school prefects-get accepted and then I would apply for en executive position in student council and get accepted to that as well. However, the problems started when a teacher I am close with pulled me aside and told me that the only complaint about me was that I appeared to often be concerned only with my own interests and was all about “Team Tomiwa”, a phrase I will never forget.

 

To summarize, I did not get selected for either position and became very angry and resentful, laying blame at everyone but myself. I vowed to never to contribute to the school again and would never join another school club again. However, after talking with my parents and the principal, we all agreed that I still had leadership potential but first I had to acknowledge my own flaws. After humbling myself and asking the teachers which didn’t select me for feedback on my weakness, we all worked together to look for opportunities where I could still contribute to the school community. This was my first real exposure to rejection, disappointment, and self-doubt. However this very bitter time in my life taught me that sometimes in life you are not always given what you deserve and worse yet is that sometimes you get exactly what you deserve.

 

I also learned the importance of self-confidence, the significance of trusting others and working in a team and the virtues of selflessness and persevering through difficult times. Skills that do not only translate into success in business but also into success in life.