1. “Sword” and “Shield”
There is a story telling about a businessman who sells both sword and shield in ancient China.
While selling the sword, he boasts that it can penetrate all shields, but he also clams that his
shields can stop all swords in order to sell them out. I feel quite confused by the question
which one is stronger, sword or shield, the answer of which remains unknown to us as no one
has tried before. As for me, I want to become a sword that can forge ahead through all
obstacles from the bottom of my heart. However, I used to grow up smoothly due to the
protection of the shield made by my parents, thus making me feel confused and all the more
aspire to become a sword.
Being both outgoing and introverted, I can not only play the piano while appreciating Richard
Clayderman’s reminiscence of his childhood, but also give full play to my dance talent on the
stage. Thanks to this seemingly contradictory personality, I managed to find my own stage in
university where I joined in the Art Department of the student union in the school of foreign
languages by virtue of my speciality in piano and dance. It was in the university that I began
to get to know myself, find out my interest and probe into my potentials, thus gradually
honing my sword.
On entering the Art Department, I, as a pianist and dancer, used to believe that it is
sufficient for me to have several minutes exclusive to me in an evening party. However,
through participating in rehearsals and performances over and over again, I found out that
one individual can never give full play to his talent without the organization and planning of
workers behind the scenes. Therefore, I became one member ofbackstage crew in the Art
Department. After one year hard work during which I successfully organized two small scale
activities and participated in the planning of a school level evening party, I grew up rapidly
and stood out from three candidates to become the director of the Art Department. The
transformation of role not only brought me a sense of achievement but also made me realize
the important responsibilities. It benefited me a lot in that I have summed up my own rules,
namely, observing, inquiring and cooperation. Firstly, I would attach much importance to
observe the preparation process of large scale evening parties at a school level such as site
layout and personnel coordination. In addition to learning their experience, I would also look
for problems so as to avoid similar mistakes in my practice, thus improving the work
efficiency and avoiding waste of resources. Secondly, at the initial preparation stage, I would
firstly inquire each department about their opinions concerning the form and content of

2. evening parties so as to settle down the theme and overall idea, and then I would allocate
tasks to corresponding department according to the plan so as to achieve division of labour
and make sure the successful proceeding of evening parties. Thirdly, cooperation refers to the
collaboration among each department of the Art Department and more importantly the
cooperation with other schools and all performers. Thanks to this work, I developed a deeper
understanding of organizing and planning large scale activities and became increasingly clear
of my future development.
On entering the university, I still had no idea of the major public relations, and I opted for
Japanese in accordance with my father’s will despite my preference for business
administration. To be frank, work in the Art Department took up a great majority of my spare
time and thus left less time for study. But thanks to a reasonable management and utilization
of time, I didn’t perform too bad even though not at the top. During my college days, I didn’t
devote all my time to the library but instead participating in all sorts of activities on the
campus as I believe university is the preclude of society and I should make full use of it to be
fully prepared for my future work. In a word, the sword in my mind is constantly seeking
ways to penetrate the shield.
I happened to know public relations by chance which in my mind seems to conform to my
interest. In order to figure it out, I audited professional courses of public relations and even
grew a desire to major in it. With the deepening of understanding, I analysed my advantages
and disadvantages in learning public relations and how to learn it well. To be specific, the
biggest disadvantage is that I have never conducted a systematic study of courses of public
relations before and also have no work experience in this field. However, it may also become
my advantage the other way around. It is because of the lack of systematic study that I would
all the more desperate to unveil the mystery of public relations through learning. Creativity
and enthusiasm as I see it are always qualities required by people engaging in public relations.
American boasting the most mature development of public relations is no doubt my
destination for further study while the Northeastern University boasting Communicaiton is
my first option.
Studying public relations in American is my first step towards future and also the first
attempt to get rid of my parents’ shield with the sword honed during my college days. I have
faith in my choice and I will never give up this way !