The personal data enclosed in this application file will demonstrate my profile as a child prodigy who entered into Jilin University at 16 and joined the country's topmost scientific research institution as a graduate student at 20. Now with an engineering experience of 4 years at the age of 24, I would like to scale still higher intellectual heights by pursuing advanced studies, an education process that I hope will gain me the competitive edge for personal growth and push me to the forefront of scientific progress.
Immersed in the academic atmosphere of an intellectual family, I was encouraged in my early childhood by my parents to read books in a wide range of disciplines. With this privileged background, I attended primary school at 6, at least one year earlier than the normal admission age of 7 or older. I felt so lucky-God blessed me with so many natural gifts. At an early age I showed a natural talent in mathematics and a strong memory, the attributes that enabled me to excel my classmates, especially in such challenging subjects as mathematics, physics and chemistry. I took part in a variety of provincial and national contests, demonstrating my excellent academic skills and wining many prizes.
Blessed with my academic potence, I was able to finish my primary and secondary education in 10 years, two years ahead of the usual twelve years. At 16, I entered a privileged class specially designed for the gifted students at Jilin University, a cradle of scientific and technological talents in China. The class selects only 90 students out of more than 1000 child prodigies across China each year. (Jilin University is a prestigious university of general education with 20 departments and a regular annual enrollment of 1,500 students) I studied at Electrical Engineering (E. E) Department, a highly selective department with a gathering of smart students who are hard to compete with.
Four years of undergraduate studies had me well trained in a wide range of disciplines, and my outstanding academic performance encouraged me to pursue an advanced degree. With a concentration on mathematics, communication and computer, I studied a variety of courses in my undergraduate years, among which were Higher Mathematics, Probability Statistics and Stochastic Process, Theories of Signal and Information, High Frequency Circuits and Principles of Modern Communications Systems, Computer Principle and other courses in the Electronic Technology field. I also studied Western culture, History and Economics in order to build up a good base for my education. With a wish to build a solid foundation for my future research and study, I was fully devoted to my academic training at college. My hard work proved to be successful. My overall GPA of 3.57/4.0 ranked in the top one percent of my class. Upon graduation in 1994, I won easy acceptance into Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications as a graduate student at 20, an age when most Chinese students would be just starting their university education. At this university, I narrowed my academic interest down to the area of mobile communications and digital communications.
My MA education proved to be another period of fruitful and successful academic pursuits. Among the courses I selected were Probability Theory, ISDN & ATM, SPC, Digital Signal Processing, Personal Communications, C++ language. These disciplinary training prepared me to delve deeper in the study of electrical engineering and communications. To keep me informed of the latest developments in my field and to brush up my English language skills, I also read the latest professional journals and periodicals of the telecommunications on a regular basis. Burning the course of my MA program, my outstanding academic records won me various scholarships in seven consecutive years, among which, to name a few, were Excellent Students, Excellent Person, Excellent fellowship.
To garnish this writing with other personal activities other than academic achievements, I need to mention my perfect performance in a dancing contest at Jilin University, which won me the first prize.
Anyway, looking back at my campus life, I feel confident to say that I have fulfilled the education goal to my satisfaction.
Teaching Experience
I worked as a teaching assistant at the Electronics Circuit Group in Personal Communications in my third semester at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications. I taught product applications and the telecommunications development in China. I trained the students by theoretical approach and also taught them how to solve real problems by practical means. I found the teaching position so much enjoyable. The daily academic exchanges between the students and myself were beneficial to both parties. I believe that my students enjoyed my teaching too because my classes were well attended.
Starting from April 1998, I worked as a part-time teacher at HP corporation. Later I was also employed by Software Center Motorola, China. I taught Motorola customers the principle of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and the usage of the HP instruments for testing CDMA Base station and CDMA Handset. Motorola customers were all satisfied with my teaching. I not only grasped advanced knowledge but also, more importantly, learned how to be a good teacher.
Research Experience
In the second year of my graduate studies, I began to work as research assistant of Professor Dacheng Yang, a renowned expert in digital and mobile communication Research and Design Center of Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. After learning the background, application, principle, and advantage of CDMA, I selected the signaling design of the CDMA Base Station Interface as my research topic. I evaluated and studied the protocols IS-95, IS-634 and the ULTRA interface protocols of Lucent. Applying software engineering method and Oriented-Object approach, I designed the internal interface of Base Station System between BSC and BTS-Abis interface, which is one of the most important parts of such a large and sophisticated project. Then referring to protocols LAPD/LAPF, integrating the latest knowledge and using one step. By working on this project, I learned more about CDMA, GSM and other mobile communications systems. Later I felt so proud to hear what I had done was downloaded to the board and the design ran flawlessly.
Working Experience
After I obtained my MA degree in engineering in 1997, I was employed by a telecommunication branch company of Posts & Telecommunications Industry Company. I participated in the JSU18 switching System Project, which is planned to produce the sixth largest switching system in China's own switching systems. I was in charge of the No.7 signaling section and developed the trunk communication system. Referring to protocol Q. 764, etc, I designed the TUP (Telephone User Part) & ISUP (ISDN User Part) - the most important part of a switching system-with C++ Language. By now, I have finished the software flow of CPC (call process) of these two parts. Through programming, downloading the procedure into the real switching system, debugging and testing, I came to deeply understand the call process of the large switching system and the relationship between all the modules of a large switching system. The procedure that I completed is so good that we can call successfully through it.
In working on these two projects, I cultivated diligent work habits, independent research ability and team spirit. I feel I have the potential for further further academic growth and am ready to take up the challenge of advanced studies in my chosen field.
From August 1998, I joined Software center Motorola, China and got involved in the CDMA project. We must communicate with international customers on a frequent basis in English environment. So I not only learned about the excellent software development process and various branches of advanced knowledge, but also improved my English ability. Here, we often exchange our findings at presentations given by others and myself in English. I get a lot of technical and non - technical training, in such subjects as Software Product Process, CDMA ( Code Division Multiple Access), GSM, GPRS ( General Packet Radio Service - the third generation system of GSM), TTCN ( Tree and Tabular Combined Notation - a test language), ITEX ( Interactive TTCN Editor and executor - a test tool for the TTCN language), and even English language.
Purpose of Study
I learn greedily, but the more I am trained, the more deeply I realize what I learned earlier is not enough. I have not got a chance to lead a major project, although I have been moving on a smooth career path and always finished my part of every project immaculately. As a female engineer, I must learn more to compete with most male engineers to lead a major project. And in spite of all my achievements, I feel that I have not brought my intellectual capabilities into full play. So I desire to enter your esteemed university to pursue advanced studies so that I can lay a solid foundation for my future research work. In the meantime, I will be able to improve my English, and I hope that someday I can speak English as well as Chinese.
I believe I have acquired the necessary theoretical framework and practical experience for advanced studies. Equipped with the ability to teach myself and conduct independent research, I will be able to attain competence quickly in areas that I may at first know very little about. I never work just to finish an assignment, but instead I always try conscientiously to learn as much as possible and sharpen my expertise through the work I do. Keeping this work style, I have become highly skilled in such fields as switching system's trunking system (communications and software), Code Division Multiple Access system (mobile communications and software), SDT & TTCN (CASE and test tools), and pSOS+ system (real-time operation system). These achievements would be a great help in my pursuit of advanced education, especially when I can work under the seasoned guidance of your strong faculty. My previous experience will qualify me for the TA and RA positions of your university as well.
I would like to apply to do graduate studies in the United States where the research and education in global telecommunications are leading the world. I have long admired your esteemed university known for its demanding work ethics and nurturing academic atmosphere. I am confident that I can receive a high quality education on your PhD program. If I am accepted, I am also confident that I can make quick progress in the E. E field, especially in the areas of wireless communication, communication, digital signal processing, the disciplines that share many common characteristics and important principles. Given the broad applications of these technologies, I believe the progress we make in these areas will help shape the future of the mankind. I would like to be at the forefront of such progress. As I am well trained and broadly experienced in EE and computer science, you may find me more than qualified for advanced studies in areas other than those I have mentioned. If so, I would be grateful to your appreciation and would like to hear any advice that you may have for me. Upon completion of the program, I will return to my homeland and strive to make scientific contributions that both your university and I can be proud of.