In this blog post, I will outline how to prepare for a career in environmental engineering, focusing on my academic motivation, plans, and goals.
Motivation for Pursuing This Field
Ever since elementary school, I have enjoyed building things with blocks. I found joy in the process of assembling individual blocks to create the shapes I imagined, and I loved creating new models on my own that weren’t in the instruction manual. When I entered high school and studied physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science, I found it fascinating to see how results were derived from cause-and-effect relationships. I also enjoyed the challenge of analyzing the causes and phenomena when results differed from my expectations. Studying earth science as an elective further deepened my interest in the Earth’s mysterious phenomena and the global environment. Last [month], I won the Gold Prize at the Youth Invention Idea Competition for a method to recycle spent foundry sand using carbon dioxide. Starting from a small curiosity, I completed many steps on my own, from filing a patent application to obtaining a patent registration. I spent several months burning the midnight oil not just to win an award, but to lay the groundwork for my future dreams. Although the technology or product has not yet been widely adopted in the market, I take great pride in having achieved this on my own. I wish to continue this passion for environmental engineering at your university, and if admitted, I aim to develop eco-friendly technologies that can enhance national competitiveness.
Academic Plan and Goals
Once I enter university, I will first dedicate myself to my major studies and invest heavily in building a solid foundation. As I feel my foundational knowledge is lacking to become an environmental engineering researcher, I will strengthen my theoretical knowledge and experimental skills. I am particularly interested in waste-to-energy technology, and through in-depth academic research, I will cultivate an integrated and analytical perspective on environmental engineering. During my first and second years, in addition to my major studies, I plan to study English diligently, as it serves as the foundation for all academic disciplines. I will also actively participate in current affairs and reading study groups to exchange ideas with diverse people and broaden the depth of my thinking through discussion. Starting in my third year, I will prepare for graduate school by engaging in more systematic and in-depth major studies, and I will strive to obtain the certifications necessary for a professional manager. I believe that acquiring a solid foundation in basic theory is essential to remain steadfast and adapt to a rapidly changing environment, so I will focus on strengthening my fundamentals. Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, said that the most important characteristic of a successful person is passion. I am determined to spend my college years without regret, driven by that same passion.
Post-Graduation Plans
After graduation, I hope to work at the National Institute of Environmental Research, focusing on waste management. I intend to conduct research on treatment methods for non-biodegradable wastewater and develop new wastewater treatment technologies by applying innovative approaches to difficult-to-degrade wastewater, such as livestock wastewater. Great figures like the Wright brothers and Bell faced much criticism and ridicule in their time, yet they persevered with a spirit of challenge and creativity, ultimately being recognized as great inventors. I, too, want to develop excellent technologies that protect the environment. I aim to develop new environmental technologies that can recycle what was once considered mere waste into resources, establish a technologically advanced environmental company, and contribute to building a clean Republic of Korea.
Self-Introduction
I have a personal motto: “Don’t be afraid of failure; take on challenges like a young person should.” I believe the essence of youth lies in passion for life and a spirit of challenge. Based on this belief, I have taken on tasks that initially seemed beyond my capabilities. Although I faced many failures, I maintained the attitude that giving up after a setback would halt further progress, so I kept trying—and as a result, I have often achieved my desired goals. The Youth Invention Idea Contest mentioned earlier was a major challenge for me, and by keeping my motto in mind, I took on the challenge and was honored to win an award unexpectedly. Through this experience, I reaffirmed that I can learn and grow significantly by living a life of passionate challenge. Moving forward, whenever I embark on a new endeavor, I will strive to maintain a challenging attitude, guided by the belief that I should “have confidence in myself.”
