Answer

Reasons for Selecting the Three University Course

My selection of the three University courses is centered on their reputation and my professional experience. Having worked in the human rights and humanitarian law, my primary objective is to study in an institution regarded as the best in this field. For Birkbeck University of London, besides being known for its flexibility in the learning schedule in regards to days and time, it is also highly regarded for its research that has an impact in various realms such as forming the public policy. It is from such a university that my skills in understanding, revising, and establishing new policies can be enhanced. Further, Birkbeck aims at promoting art and culture thus making a positive influence on society which is also among my targets. The University’s five distinct schools covering a wide range of academic disciplines presents a dynamic environment for research and learning, thus one has the ability to develop their social and interpersonal skills while interacting with diversified individuals.

The SOAS University of London is remarkably known for its vast academic staff that is concerned with Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. With years of expertise in major pressing issues such as human rights, development, democracy, legal frameworks, and social change, this university presents an ample opportunity to learn from the best academic staff in Europe that are concerned with countries in Africa such as Cameroon. In addition, my passion and experience in human rights dictate that understanding the current global issues is imperative and this is also one of the focus of SOAS University. In addition, SOAS focus on the cultures, languages, and African societies thus assisting students to make an indispensable interpretation of the complex world. For Cardiff University, some of the current aspects reflecting on its greatness for my studies include being ranked among the top five universities in the UK. The university is driven by curiosity, creativity and striving to fulfill the social, economic, and cultural obligations to not only Wales and Cardiff, but also the world. Cardiff University focus on social and cultural obligations is essential in enhancing my human rights and humanitarian law focus.

Leadership and Influence

My professional and educational experience have been my source of invaluable leadership and influential skills. I have, in the past, engaged in training forums where I have acquired various leadership theoretical knowledge. I have also applied these skills practically both in the learning institutions and professionally. During my college studies, I was the leader of the institution’s students governing body where I was involved in various activities from organizing functions to ensuring everything was being done according to the institution’s principles, culture, and structure. I have also been involved in community engagement where I have been a leader of the youth group. Among the projects I have assisted in steering include building and construction, fostering for the implementation of humanitarian rights and assisting the minority population. Also, I have been involved in championing for social development rights in my home country such as those related to health and violence against women.

My leadership and influence skills can be reflected in the type of leadership I portray while working in the above-mentioned realms and projects. I believe in holistic approach to leadership where application of strategic, transformation, team and democratic approaches is important in achieving the set goals. In strategic leadership, I have acquired these skills while working for community development projects such as those related to health and security enhancement. In all the leadership-related fields, I always prefer working as a team as its efficiency is more compared to stand-alone working approach. As a team, I have witnessed the ability to critically analyze a situation and develop strategic interventions. Another skill I am proficient in that is related to leadership is problem-solving, where besides evaluating a situation, I make fast and effective decisions to avert the presented challenge. This is in line with settling disputes among my followers where I have in the past listened to both sides of a situation before making my judgment. My effectiveness as a leader can be reflected in the recent promotion to be the head of my youth team in my home country where I was voted unanimously.

Networking Skills

My learning and professional experience have also given me effective networking skills as reflected in my ability to relate with diversified groups regardless of their affiliation, efficient communication with all groups, and working in  diverse teams. While working in the community development projects, I have interacted with individuals in various setups and have comfortably worked with them regardless of their diversity affiliation such as age, gender, ethnicity, and race. An example is when I was involved in disaster management for people who had been affected by floods. Here, I was able to assist all the affected communities and was working with my team to ensure all got assistance in their situations. I have also worked with the minority populations and in particular the aged and the disabled. These engagements have given me the effective networking skills of teamwork and interpersonal abilities. In addition, through my relationship with diversified communities and groups, my communication skills have improved which are vital in networking. 

Through my networking skills of interpersonal, effective communication, and teamwork, I aspire to employ them in enhancing my community and securing a better future for me, my family, and the society. Through networking, I believe in the ability to interact with high profile individuals and with the help of my communication and persuasion, I believe I can engage them in developing projects that could enhance my community. In addition, as a young aspiring humanitarian rights attorney in both Cameroon and Africa, some of the ways to present the challenging issues affecting the society is effectively interacting with the country’s leaders where I am able to present my case and that of my community. Through such interaction, I believe in the ability to bring about positive change to my society. Further, my effective interaction skills present an opportunity where I can interact with everyone in society regardless of their diversity relation to understand the issues affecting them and how they can be mitigated. It is also through effective networking that the community voice can be heard and effective intervention strategies developed to address issues and challenges affecting the society at large.

Career Plan

My career objectives entail both the short and long-term goals. Besides enhancing my educational knowledge, I also aspire to improve my professional experience. Notably, some of the short-term goals involve enhancing my personal skills and abilities while the long-term one is becoming a human rights attorney and activist in Cameroon and Africa. Achieving my goals I believe is a journey which begins upon returning home to implement the theoretical and practical knowledge I have acquired from learning institutions. The first approach would be to seek an opportunity for working in the humanitarian law and human rights-related fields. Among the activities I will be involved in will include ensuring the implementation of the developed rights and policies and the development of new while improving the existing principles and guidelines. It will be first important to master these laws and rights before implementing them. Through effective networking, I will further continue looking for more attractive opportunities in this field and ensure effective working to not only enhance my professional knowledge but also contribute towards changing the society.

My long-term goal is also based on the relationship between UK and Cameroon. The UK has special interests in Cameroon as reflected in their ties. Through providing its support to Cameroon and assisting in achieving its interests, UK dialogues with Cameroon government and is in support of the country in making various achievements. Such support includes training and funding to ensure that the internationally accepted norms are met through democratic practice, effective governance and respect to human rights. While aiming at becoming a human rights attorney, my focus will be on ensuring the UK’s major objectives are met such as fighting corruption. I also aspire working with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in promoting human rights and implementing community and country-based projects that are aimed at enhancing the welfare of the citizens. My commitment to my post-studies will involve working tirelessly in every opportunity I get to achieve my ultimate goal. This comes with a passion for improving lives and achieving a better society.(2017) study employed, there are very little room for generalizing the study’s findings.