Write a one to two page self-recommendation letter. Include academic successes and whether you feel your grades are reflective of your abilities. Also include work experience, greatest strength, professional interests in Lockheed Martin, your involvement with SWE, and other qualities that will help you succeed as a student and as an engineer. *Disclaimer: I wrote this in one hour without proofreading, because it was due soon and I hadn’t originally planned on applying.

      In my three years at UCLA so far, I have taken note of the hundreds if not thousands of ways to develop my character and build academic excellence. Unfortunately, it would not be possible for me to take advantage of the extreme myriad of opportunities, and hence I have had to make sacrifices in certain aspects of my college career to foster the development of others. Despite the opportunities I may have lost, I still feel as if the choices I made have given me the best possible collegiate experience thus far. The importance of having both academia and extracurricular activities well-balanced during one’s undergraduate career has always been clear to me.
      After adjusting to college during my freshman year, I was able to quickly rise in the ranks of the clubs I was involved in. As my sophomore year began, I was appointed one of two co-editor-in-chiefs of the UCLA BruinLife Yearbook as well as the site director of the Casa Heiwa and Angelina Mentorship Program (CHAMPs). Although both groups taught me the importance of teamwork and communication, it was definitely my experience as a leader in BruinLife Yearbook that gave me the most vital knowledge that I knew would prepare me for the rest of my life.
      As editor-in-chief for two years, I was repeatedly faced with unexpected challenges. Hence I learned the importance of versatility in problem-solving. In a very time-sensitive environment, I adapted well to fluctuations of stress and pressure, and was able to produce the 2009 and 2010 BruinLife yearbooks on schedule as expected. There was a tremendous amount of responsibility on my shoulders as a student leader in the ASUCLA Student Media department, yet I was able to handle external relationships and endure through the “politics” of the system effectively. In addition to working well with liaisons outside of the department to ensure the smooth production of the yearbook, I also learned to value the connections made within our staff.
      Because of the time commitment that being part of BruinLife entailed, I was not able to focus all of my attention on academics. Although I do not regret spending more time on schoolwork and studying, I would have benefited greatly from learning to manage my time better earlier on in the year.
      Having honed my time management skills by the beginning of this year, I chose to join both the Engineering Society of UCLA (ESUC) as well as the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). In ESUC, I took on the position of assistant secretary for one term before acquiring the position of internal vice president. In SWE, I am the Webmaster-elect for the 2010 to 2011 school year. Although my duties have not yet been completely established, I hope to create a strong on-line presence for SWE next year.
      By joining groups whose main focuses pertain to my major, I hoped to be able to gain experience that would help me in my future career as an engineer. In addition to joining both engineering clubs, I also began to take electives in the field of mechanical engineering as well as conduct research under an advising professor. I was fortunately able to discover and harness my specific interests in the broad field in a short period of time. I hope to work at a large company such as Lockheed Martin which would offer room for self-development while providing guidance. Because my interests in mechanical engineering are in fluid dynamics and energy, it would be ideal for me to work in the industry for a company that has a strong connection to those topics.
      As a well rounded mechanical engineering student who is very self-motivated, I feel as if I am a good candidate for the SWE-UCLA Lockheed Martin Scholarship. In addition to being a focused individual regarding academics, I also understand and practice the use of “soft” skills such as punctual communication and leadership capabilities. These qualities and beliefs make me a unique individual who is well-suited for higher opportunities with Lockheed Martin.

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