STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Introduction:
I’m Showrya Reddy Vulpala born on 11th December 1994, in Mahaboobnagar in a
nuclear family. Information technology has changed dramatically. Not long ago,
information was processed using electrical or mechanical devices such as typewriters,
calculators and telephones, which stood by themselves as if on information processing
islands. Calculations made with a calculator had to be typed into a documents.
Documents then had to be handcar- ride to a copy machine. Secretaries always had to
be on hand to answer the phones. Mail could be sent only in printed form. Today, all
these devices and procedures have been automated and many of their functions are
controlled by Micro Processors unit. But it is not just that individual machines have been
improved. The most dramatic changes how all those old information island are being
connected by digital highways. Once information is created in any form, text, sounds,
pictures, animation or movies, it can be instantly distributed or changed to other form in
a variety of ways. Technology is advancing so rapidly that previously isolated fields such
as television, phone, computers, 3 and radio are all converging into single files. Surfing
hundreds of digital TV channels for home shopping, infomercials, News and
entertainment won't be all that demanding. But that's only the crest of a huge
information technology wave that is rolling into your path. To be ready of this new wave
both at home and, at work, you have to understand the concepts and application of
digital information technology. I have understood the proper use of technology and have
planned my life accordingly and carefully around it. With the same planning, I planned to
do my Master’s in Information Technology from Southern Cross University.

Educational History:
I initially started out my secondary schooling in Sri Chaitanya Techno School. I
completed my tenth from the same school which is affiliated to the Board of Secondary
Education. I completed my tenth in March 2010 with a percentage of 88.8%. I later took
Maths, Physics, and chemistry as my majors in my Intermediate and I studied at
Narayana Junior College affiliated to the Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra
Pradesh. I qualified the exam in March 2012 with an aggregate of 82.5%. After
completing my Intermediate education, I chose to pursue Bachelor’s of Technology in
the field of Electronics and Communications Engineering. During the course, I have
learned the ways of various technologies in various parts of engineering. I studied my
Bachelor’s from Narsimha Reddy Engineering College which is an affiliate of Jawaharlal
Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. I completed my Bachelors in May 2016 and
starting searching for a job to apply my theoretical knowledge into practicality.
Work Experience:
I appeared for many interviews and finally got selected as a Network Admin in a
company called Flarmp Technologies Pvt. Ltd and I joined the job in 20 th, July 2016.
While working here, I learned the major techniques involved in the job by getting hands-
on training. I understood that anything can be learned by acquiring proper training
simultaneously while the subject is being delivered. While working here, I was working
on tasks which included to

 Fully support, configure, maintain and upgrade corporate customer’s

networks and in-house servers
 Install and integrate new server hardware and applications
 Keep an eye out for needed updates
 Support and administer third-party applications
 Ensure network security and connectivity
 Monitor network performance (availability, utilization, throughput, goodput,
and latency) and test for weaknesses
 Set up user accounts, permissions, and passwords
 Resolve problems reported by end user
 Define network policies and procedures
 Specify system requirements and design solutions
 Research and make recommendations on server system administration

After working for a considerable amount of time, I understood that I needed more
knowledge in the relevant field suiting my job profile. Since I also understood that skills
are learned quickly when learned with a practical experience, I want to do a masters
degree as it employs a similar way of teaching and delivering its course. A master’s
degree would not enhance my skills in the same field but will also add more industry-
relevant skills to perform better in my chosen field.

Why Masters?
A master's degree in Information technology will grant me crucial skills for dealing with
software, computers, and networks. Getting the additional training is definitely worth it,
for heading further in my career. I, building a solid background in Information and
Communication technology by earning a Masters in the same field will have several
career benefits. There are reasons to consider a graduate degree as a viable alternative
to simply earning a hardware or software certification. I can choose from a range of
specialties. The best option will naturally depend on my background and market
demand for that particular set of skills. A Master’s degree brings with it the potential for a
huge salary increase. Bureau of Labor Statistics calculations show that a Master’s
degree is worth, on average, an extra $2.5 million dollars over a career, relative to
earnings with a Bachelor’s. Computer and Information Systems managers were
average $120,000 per year in 2016, also according to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Also, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES.com) reported that
37,677 associate degrees were conferred and 43,072 candidates earned bachelor
degrees in computer and information sciences in 2010 – 2011. Only 19,446 master
degrees were earned in the same category. The outlook for an increase in employment
levels as predicted by the BLS range from an average of 20% for the broad computer
category to 31% for Computer Systems Administrators and Database Administrators.
The lower number of degree earners and high prediction of job openings show a strong
stance for those with the desire and aptitude to earn a Master’s degree. This gives me a
strong ground to pursue my master’s degree.

Why not India for my Masters?

There are many reasons why I don’t want to study in India for my Master’s Education.
Although, students, parents, and employers will benefit from the good education they
lack the voice to press for change. Politicians, bureaucrats, and media influence
education from the outside, but they find it of no use to advance our agendas. Till
recently, the software outsourcing industry boomed. Companies flocked to hire at
campuses of even second rate engineering colleges. Most of the graduates are ill-
equipped to do entry-level jobs. Corporations spend months to re-skill them rather than
getting entangled in lobbying government to fix college teaching. Politicians do not win
elections, or bureaucrats get promotions on an education platform. It takes years for
good education policies to show results and even for bad ones to fail. Few in public
office have that kind of patience to sow and wait. Fewer have the courage to take on the
deep-rooted unions, and associations that block meaningful change in schools and
colleges. Children are the most important beneficiaries of a good education yet the ones
with the least power to shape it. When children are in school, they are either unaware of
how little they are learning or afraid to speak up. College students sometimes raise their
voices in protest, but mostly on issues tangential to their learning. Parents choose to
exit the school system rather than pressuring it to change. Millions of parents pull their
children out of broken government schools and enroll them in low-fee private schools.
Then they find out that even private schools do not deliver much better results. Some
other people find shelter tuition centers. The rest just fight their battles and struggle to
survive in this economy with what they get. There will soon be 100 million under-skilled
and under-employed young people on our streets. Many will be desperate, leading them
to harass, loot, or to harm themselves if not others. A student commits suicide every
hour in India, unable to fulfill aspirations, cope with failure, or find emotional support,
according to India Spend reports. I want to change this, and for any change to come,
one needs the education to bring about certain reforms in a field. Thus I want to pursue
masters from another country. In abroad countries like Australia, students are actually
valued and are taken care of in a better way. The courses are adjusted to set the
wavelength of students like me which will make it easier to understand the course. The
education is also given a high regard both in Australia and other countries like India.
The courses here are accredited with a governing body dedicated to updating the
course to the latest industrial needs. Therefore studying in an abroad country like
Australia will update me on the latest developments in the field of my choice letting me
stay up to date and contribute to improving my work setting in India. For the same
reason, I’ve written a Pearson Test of English as it is considered as a criterion for the
admission in the universities of Australia and scored an overall score of 53.

Why only Australia?

Australia boxes above its weight when it comes to academic coursework. Australia may
have less than 0.5% of the world’s population, but this small country (in population, not
land mass) accounts for almost 3% of the world’s research output. For the past 100
years, Australia has been an exceptionally innovative nation. The search for success
and innovation and the history of academic excellence have made Australia an ideal
destination for anyone with a curious mind. It’s no wonder, therefore, that more than half
a million international students are enrolled today in Australian educational institutions.
The GDP of Australia is about US$1.6 trillion making it the 13th largest economy in the
world. The GPS per capita of Australia is nearly US$65,000. It is one of the fastest
growing developed economies currently more than 5% annually. The low unemployment
rate among graduates with an Australian degree is another sweet spot. Currently, the
unemployment rate is at 5.2%, making it one of the best degrees in the world to find a
job. Great public universities here offer quality education. Since they are all owned and
run by the local government the course curriculum is closely monitored and reforms can
be brought very quickly. Its programs are in the Top 10 list of programs ahead of the
USA and the UK according to the OECD’s Program for International Student
Assessment. Eight Australian universities are in the top 100 in the world according to
the QS World University Ranking. The health system in Australia is widely considered
as world class and is even available to international students like me under the student
health care scheme OSHC. No other country offers such attractive study conditions for
international students like me with such high rates of student satisfaction. These
reasons prompted me to go to Australia for my Master’s studies.

Why not any other country other than Australia:

While browsing about different universities and countries, I came across countries like
the USA, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Malaysia. My first priority was the USA
because it is the most popular choice among Indian Students for their Master’s studies.
But the recent developments in the education sector during the Trump’s administration
frightened me. Master’s degree involves a lot of money and doing it without any solid
grounds didn’t feel right to me. Later came the UK, where there are short courses are
available for Master’s and the universities usually put a lot of pressure on us due to its
short span of the course. Coming to Ireland, the fee structure is very affordable, but the
course curriculum is not designed properly to make me an efficient professional. In
Germany the language being the first barrier, the city doesn’t have a free flowing
mindset and the universities often segregate on basis of gender. Looking into Japan, the
excellent education system has made everyone from everywhere come to Tokyo for
their further studies. This made the classrooms congested with many students in the
classrooms. Coming to Malaysia, the teachers aren’t that qualified to teach the courses
they offer in their Master’s. Also, none of them encourage us to do anything new.
Coming to Australia, it holds promise and quality in its degrees which is useful to serious
career pursuers. Studying here can actually enhance my career and CV. I’ll be acquiring
skills which I need in my field of study and going forward, in my field of work. Hence I
chose Australia over other countries for my Master’s education.

Why Southern Cross University over other Universities:

Before concluding to go for Southern Cross University I have done some research on
other universities as well like Griffith University, Swinburne Institute of Technology,
University of Sunshine Coast, Latrobe University and Deakin University. I have chosen
Southern Cross University over other universities like Griffith University, Swinburne
Institute of Technology, the University of Sunshine Coast, La Trobe University and
Deakin University because of the following factors. The international fees of Southern
Cross University are very less compared to that of Griffith University, Swinburne Institute
of Technology, the University of Sunshine Coast, La Trobe University and Deakin
University. Southern Cross University ranks much above in research excellence when
compared to Swinburne Institute of Technology, the University of Sunshine Coast, La
Trobe University and Deakin University. The student satisfaction rate of Southern Cross
University is better when compared to the University of Sunshine Coast, Swinburne
Institute of Technology and Deakin University. Hence, looking at my research I have
chosen to study at Southern Cross University than any other universities in Australia.

Why only Southern Cross University?

Delivered in a supportive learning environment, this course offered by Southern Cross
University will transform me into a competent IT professional with the capacity to
develop and implement IT solutions to complex industry-related problems. Southern
Cross University is a multi-campus university on Australia’s east coast with a dynamic
teaching and research profile. The University is proud of being young, flexible and
innovative in the way it engages with local communities and creates change that has
impact around the world. Southern Cross University degree provides opportunities to
gain practical workplace experience and valuable industry connections. Ranked in the
world’s top 100 young universities, Southern Cross has three main campuses: the Gold
Coast in Queensland, and in Lismore and Coffs Harbor in New South Wales. Southern
Cross University is one of Australia’s fastest growing research universities. Southern
Cross University is an ambitious and collaborative institution that seeks to equip
students like me with the skills I will need in an increasingly disrupted and challenged
the world. Southern Cross University students, like me, come from diverse backgrounds
but share the same goals: to discover their future path, to become the best they can be,
and to make their mark on the world. Southern Cross University programs include a
strong focus on the core skills that I will need in the future workplace. No matter what I
study, at Southern Cross University, I will learn to communicate well, solve problems
and think creatively.

Course Structure and outcomes:

The Master of Information Technology provides an opportunity for those who are looking
to enhance their IT qualifications. The Master of Information Technology provides
candidates who have an IT background with the opportunity to update their
qualifications, with a number of entry options that recognize industry experience and
previous study. The course offers considerable depth and flexibility, allowing me to
select from units covering specialized topics such as Data Communications and
Networks, Designing the User Experience, Programming, Systems Analysis and
Design, Managing Information Systems, Project Management, Organizational Behavior.
An ever-growing industry, IT plays an integral role in most industries today. As a
graduate, I will possess a solid understanding of the issues, concepts and practices in
IT and a broad knowledge of the technological aspects of IT. I will also develop a raft of
transferrable skills that will enable me to be an effective and efficient IT professional.
Ever since the world stepped into the digital age, IT has experienced unprecedented
growth. The field has progressed exponentially and it shows no signs of slowing down
soon. Along with a number of specializations offered in the course like programming,
development, designing, multimedia, etc., the scope for an IT professional has never
been better and hence I have chosen the field of Information Technology.
Career Prospects:
The course I’ll be studying at the Southern Cross University will have all the necessary
details and skills required for the role I want to be in. I can even be proficient in the
technicalities of the Information Technology field and be as technical as it demands me
to be. Going forward, after I completed my degree I want to come back to India and
become a Network Architect in any of the companies like Oracle, HP, HCL, Cisco, and
Symantec etc. While working as a Network Architect, I’ll be asked to,
 Analyze business requirements to develop technical network solutions and their
framework.

 Design, test, and inspect data communications systems.

 Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning.

  Install hardware such as cables, hubs, routers, and wireless adaptors.

 Develop technology roadmaps.

 Configure network drivers for software.

 Analyze, engineer, and execute software functions.

 Develop test plans, implementation plans, and project timelines for various
projects.

 Manage technology vendors.

 Stay abreast of how technology infrastructures are currently impacting and

driving competitors.

 Determine production direction.

 Write functional requirements/specifications documents.

 Assess vendor development/test strategies

Working here would get me, an annual salary of around 7-8 lakhs. Three to four years
down the line I’ll be up for a promotion to the role of Network Architect – Team Lead.
During this time, I’ll be earning around10-12 lakhs. Seven years down the line I’ll be
handling the roles of a Senior Network Architect. Here I’ll be paid an annual salary of
around 13-16 lakhs.

Coming back to India:

I want to come back to India after the completion of my degree because the
opportunities in India are far greater than anywhere else. As the IT industry is rapidly
growing, there is a shortage of skilled labor in India. Acquiring a Master’s degree from
Australia will make me eligible for a job in India as the Australian Degree is valued in
India greatly and the other thing is that the degree will equip me with industry-specific
skills and relevant knowledge in and around the Information and Communication
Technology field. Apart from that, I want to work closer to my home as I want to look
after my mom and dad. They’ve reached their old age and during this time they need
me more than anything. I want to set all the things in order for them leading to a
peaceful life. This won’t be possible if I stay in Australia. Hence I want to come back
quickly after the completion of my degree.
Financials:
My parents are sponsoring my Master’s study at LaTrobe University. My father has a
total income of 6.38 lakhs and my mother has an annual income of 2.89 lakhs. My
mother also has a fixed deposit in her name amounting to 28 lakhs. We also get a rental
income of around 2.5 lakhs on a yearly basis. Our total property valuation is around 5.3
crores and all these can be used towards my graduate education. (Have to include
‘others’)

Visa Rules:
I am also aware of the rules and regulations that I need to follow to stay in Australia. I
must apply for my visa under sub-category 500 under SSVF and the Student visa
conditions are as follows:

• 8105 - Work limitations: I cannot work more than 40 hours/fortnight while the
course is in session.
• 8202 - Remain Enrolled: I must remain enrolled in a registered course while
on student Visa in Australia
• 8501 - Maintain Health cover: I need to maintain my health insurance for
during my entire stay in Australia.
• 8516 - Continue to maintain: I need to continue to maintain my student visa
by following all the conditions applicable for which I am going to grant it.
• 8533 - Notification of change in address: I must notify about the address to
my education provider within seven days of arrival and any change in my
address also I must notify while in Australia.

I need to maintain 80% of attendance. The living expenses are for a student in Australia
are AU$20,290 per year.

Conclusion:
The Information Technology field offers a lot of opportunities all around the world. I want
to be a part of it and work in it effectively thus contributing my part to more advanced
developments in the same. I feel confident that a degree from the Southern Cross
University will allow me to acquire the necessary qualities which will help me proceed
towards my goals and aspirations. I feel grateful to be provided an opportunity to talk
about myself.

Thank you and regards,

Showrya Reddy Vulpala.