Personal Statement for Prateek Mishra

Since my childhood, I have the curiosity to discern how gadgets and machines worked and the
concepts and fundamentals behind them. To understand these logics, I took active interest and
participated in many science fairs and workshops. To satiate my curiosity, I also watched many
scientific programs and the Discovery channel on televis ion. During class proceedings in school, I
found myse lf drawn towards subjects that required in-depth analys is and logical thinking. This a
long
with my interest in understanding machines and a percentile score of 99.57 in AIEEE (All India
Engineering Entrance Examination) prompted me to opt for Mechanical Engineering at
undergraduate level at Delhi College of Engineering (now Delhi Technological University), one of
the top engineering institutes in India.

During my under graduation, I utilized every opportunity to acquire in depth know ledge and a firm
grip over the princ iples underlying the courses of Mechanical Engineering. The enriching pedagogic
sessions of the highly seasoned and well renowned faculty were especially he lpful. My curriculum
included Machine Design, Mechanics of Solids, Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines,
Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Industrial Engineering and Heat and Mass Transfer.

Among these,Machine Design, Mechanics of Solids , and Kinematics and Dynamics of machines were
of particular interest to me as these allowed me to further invigorate my interest in Mechanical and
structural designing and conferred the competence to address the challenging issues while
designing. The designing of various mechanical parts like gears, bearings, springs, crankshafts which
included the application of Mechanics of Solids and Kinematics and Dynamics of machines really
captivated me and I decided to pursue higher studies in the field.

To supplement my knowledge, especially practical aspect, I took multiple industrial trainings. The
first training was
at National Thermal Power Corporation in Delhi for four weeks. It is a coal-based power plant.There
I visited the various departments of a power plant like boiler divis ion, turbine division, condenser
division and coal handling division. I had recently undertook a course in power plant engineering in
my college and so I was able to relate to the plant very well. I came to know the intricacies of
power production and the problems faced during the process. At the end I underwent a
test based on my understanding of the plant and secured excellent grades. My second training was
an eight week internship at the design department of National Hydroe lectric Power Corporation
(Pvt.) Ltd in Faridabad where I did a project on the mechanical design calculation for 20 ton load
on a gantry crane. Here based on the magnitude and type of load acting I designed the dimensions
of various parts of the crane.

I further enhanced my interest in mechanical engineering by doing my final year project titled “Tip
clearance pressure losses in various profiles of turbine blade”. An analysis was carried out for flow
of fluid over linear turbine cascade for 3 profiles : an impulse profile , a 50 percent reaction profile
and a 25 percent reaction profile. The profiles had roughness of 50 grade emery paper applied over
suction and pressure surfaces of the blade, at different locations on the blade, name ly leading
edge, mid-chord region and trailing edge, with each being equal to one-third the chord length of
the blade. Using computer programming, results were obtained for the tip clearance pressure loss
and total pressure loss and the variation was analysed. For each profile, depending on the surface
roughness, the exit angle varied. Using the values of the exit angle, dimensions of the blade, the
local Reynolds number and exit ve loc ity for each profile the tip clearance pressure loss and total
pressure loss , a long with coefficient of dragand coefficient of lift were computed.

During my final semester of under-graduation I got on campus placement in Tata Steel Limited, a
privately owned company of India, which I joined soon after my graduation. I underwent training
for one year in the Jamshedpur steel plant which manufactures steel for the automobile and
construction industry. I vis ited the various departments of the steel plant like blast furnace steel
melting shop, hot and cold rolling mills and apart from acquiring the basic know ledge of steel
making from raw materials, I also came to know about various mechanical equipments required in
the industry. I also
underwent a two month disciple specific training in mechanical engineering in which I was taught
about bearings, lubrication, hydraulics and vibrations. Towards the end of the training period,I did
a project in the lime plant department of the Jamshedpur plant in which I analysed the various
modes of failure of axial blowers and recommended solutions for increasing the life between two
consecutive failures. Working on this project opened up my mind towards the vast industrial
applications of mechanical engineering.

After the training period I was transferred to the Kalinganagar steel plant of Tata Steel. a green
field project
where I worked in the blast furnace department. Here I supervised the construction and erection of
various structures like beams and girders in casthouse department and blower department. I also
supervised the erection of various mechanical equipments like axia l blowers, drilling
machines,mudguns and overhead travelling cranes. I ensured that the work was completed as per
schedule. I also rectified any errors made while erecting and implemented them. Working in the
industry
not only he lped me evolve as a person but as I experienced, it also imposed challenges and
deadlines. I also learnt working in a pressure environment.

I want to be a successful professional in the field of structural and equipment designing. To

accomplish this and to survive in the highly competitive world of today, I need a specia lized
training beyond my undergraduate level to help me keep pace with latest developments in the field
of Mechanical engineering. An internationally reputed institute like University of Houston will
provide me with the required skills and exposure to meet these challenges. I would like to enroll in
your university for higher education as it has excellent infrastructure, well renowned faculty and
curriculum that suits me perfectly. I strongly be lieve that under the guidance of your highly
competent and research oriented faculty, I would be able to mold my career decisively for better. I
am aware that University of Houston expects very high standards from its students, I am very
confident that with my sincerity and dedication, I will be able to meaningfully contribute to the
research work at your
university and live up to the expectations. I can also contribute positively to the student
community activities in the institution. I will also be adding to the cultural diversity at the campus
and aspire to learn and acquaint myself w ith different cultures and lifestyles while studying in your
institution.

I firmly believe that there are many more facets of life other than just technical knowledge. I have
always enjoyed participating in extracurricular activities and used these opportunities to develop
my overall persona lity. In school, I secured Certificate of Merit in the National Talent Science
Examination in 2000 and 3rd rank in Patnain Young Scientist Talent Test in 2005.I managed to clear
the IIT-JEE in my first attempt, an entrance exam to Indian Institutes of Technology
which are the premier engineering colleges of India . This exam is widely regarded as the toughest
examination in India.

In college, I was part of the organizing team of „Innova-annual technical Fest‟ of Delhi College of
Engineering organized by the student branch in 2009. This opportunity helped me to hone my
organizing skills and leadership qualities. Also I secured first prize in the annual cricket quiz held in
St.Stephens College in Delhi in 2009. In this way, I have developed my versatile and holistic skills
and would like to continue the same in your university as well. My contributions to the university
would entail he lping in organizing various technical and cultural events, working for charity or
volunteering for social work.
I look forward for admission into your esteemed University for my chosen career.