This blog post introduces strategies for effectively weaving contest winning experience into an R&D position application and linking it to practical job competencies.
Growth Process
“It wasn’t hard—it was fun!”
While others played with dolls, there was a girl busy assembling robots. As a child, I preferred metal robots over pretty dolls and found immense fascination in taking them apart and reassembling them. The ‘robots of my own creation’—rebuilt in my own way after disassembly—were always invincible, and the process itself was incredibly enjoyable. It was then that I began to vaguely dream of becoming a scientist who develops robots. My mother, observing this, later said she had an intuition that I would one day become an engineer.
Being naturally curious and possessing a strong spirit of inquiry, my childhood was far from smooth sailing. I tore my knees observing bugs in the fields, and once broke my arm climbing to get a closer look at an insect high up. During high school, I developed an interest in design and began learning it at an academy. There were days when I could only sleep two hours a night, juggling both my studies and design classes.
But looking back, all those experiences were precious nourishment that helped me grow. I have a tendency to embrace difficult situations not as ‘pain’ but as ‘passion’. I tend to seek out challenges myself, and those choices have made me stronger. Thanks to that, I became someone who could see things others overlooked and learn things I didn’t know.
This proactive attitude and strong spirit of exploration ultimately led to good results. I was able to get into the university I wanted, and above all, I was able to enjoy a university life filled with passion and joy. I believe what made me who I am today is precisely that positive mindset of thinking “it’s not hard, it’s fun.”
Personal Strengths
“The spirited youngest daughter!”
The greatest strength of my personality is ‘spirit’. I believed that winning an invention contest was something every engineering student should experience at least once. So, starting from my freshman year of college, I challenged myself in invention contests every year. But reality was harsher than I expected. There were many people far more creative and technically skilled than me, and competing with them was no easy feat. One year, I even returned without receiving a single vote from the judges.
Yet, I didn’t let it get me down. Instead, that experience made me stronger. Believing failure is an opportunity to learn, I prepared even harder, addressed my shortcomings, and challenged myself again every year. After five years of relentless effort, I finally achieved the valuable result of winning first place in the invention competition.
Through this process, I didn’t just receive an award; I learned what technologies the competition valued in each field, honed my skills accordingly, and grew.
I am someone who doesn’t fear failure; rather, I use it to improve. I possess the bright, affectionate energy of a youngest daughter, yet within that lies an unbreakable spirit and tenacity. Thanks to this character, I am ready to take on any challenge without hesitation.
“Above all, you can’t beat someone who enjoys what they do.”
I genuinely enjoy creating things. Even when others are overwhelmed and exhausted by tasks, I find joy in my work. Practical assignments related to production are especially enjoyable challenges for me.
This was true when I had a hands-on TV production project. I never found the complex process of designing, drawing schematics, and connecting each circuit tedious. Instead, I felt immense satisfaction watching it come together piece by piece, ultimately completing my very own TV.
The TV production process isn’t just about connecting circuits. Precisely installing the antenna to capture a good frequency is also essential. There’s a saying online: ‘The three most infuriating things in the world are cursing your father, cursing your mother, and when the internet cuts out.’ That’s how much patience it takes to recapture and reconfigure a lost frequency.
But I even found that enjoyable. Thanks to that, I finished the practical work quickly and received good evaluations for the high-quality result. The joy of creating is my greatest weapon and driving force.
Overcoming a Weakness
Everyone has weaknesses. For me, programming languages, especially C, were my biggest weakness. I was confident in designing circuits and drafting mechanical drawings, but fields requiring logical thinking, like programming, always felt challenging. I realized this acutely when taking a C language class. I submitted every assignment and participated diligently in class, yet my first exam score was a C+. I couldn’t accept it, believing I had studied hard. But upon reviewing the exam paper and carefully reflecting on the professor’s feedback, I realized I hadn’t truly ‘understood’ the subject—I’d been relying solely on superficial effort.
People around me advised, “You’re good at other subjects anyway, so why bother obsessing over this one?” Yet my pride wouldn’t let that sway me easily. Instead, I felt a sense of crisis: ‘If I don’t acknowledge what I’m bad at and challenge myself, I might carry this weakness with me for life.’ So, from that day on, I decided to retake this course repeatedly, ultimately challenging it three times over three years.
During class, I dug deep into anything I didn’t understand, repeatedly asking the professor questions. I clung to this one subject with such persistence that to others, it must have seemed like an obsession. Some days, I faced looks from friends wondering, “Why go that far?” and heard comments like, “You look like a fool.” But I didn’t waver. No matter what others said, I wanted to be the kind of person who pushes through to the end with the goals I set for myself.
After repeating endless questions, review, and trial and error for such a long time, I finally achieved an A+ on my third attempt. The moment I saw that single letter on my transcript, I felt a deeper emotion than just getting a high grade—I was moved by the fact that I had surpassed my own limits. Through this experience, I truly understood the saying ‘effort never betrays you’ and learned that real growth happens when you face your weaknesses head-on instead of avoiding them. At the same time, I completely shook off my fear of programming languages. Now, I’ve turned it into a skill I can confidently utilize in my own way.
Whenever I encounter a new field or a difficult concept, I still recall that time. ‘I did it then. I can do it now.’ This experience, gained after three attempts, has become more than just an achievement; it’s an important benchmark for my entire life. Challenge, perseverance, and the attitude of never giving up will be the strongest force supporting me in any situation ahead.
An experience of helping someone in need
The university I attend is notorious for its high tuition fees. However, my family’s financial situation wasn’t comfortable, making it difficult to cover the costs with their support alone. Yet, I didn’t believe relying on student loans was the right choice in such an uncertain future. So, I made a decision. ‘I’ll earn my own tuition.’ Immediately after entering university, I started various part-time jobs and lived each day more fiercely than anyone else.
After trying many part-time jobs, I found the most suitable was one I could do near campus while studying. So I worked at a convenience store in the morning, attended classes during the day, and worked as a dorm manager at a goshiwon (a type of dormitory) at night, living there myself. I essentially lived my day split into three parts. The money I saved this way amounted to just over 1 million won a month. It wasn’t much, but by striving not to waste a single penny, I could prepare for the next semester’s tuition. Looking back, I believe those times laid a crucial foundation for cultivating my perseverance and sense of responsibility.
Amidst my busy routine, there was one thing I couldn’t give up: entering contests. I attended classes, worked part-time, and squeezed in contest entries whenever possible. Believing that teamwork creates greater synergy than working alone, I always formed teams to compete. Through this process, I met wonderful friends who encouraged each other and grew together. It was a time when I truly felt that cooperation matters more than competition.
Through these contests, I achieved results multiple times, winning awards, and that experience instilled confidence in me. It wasn’t just about winning; it gave me the belief that effort leads to results, and the courage to overcome any difficulty.
Looking back on that time, what stays with me most is the realization that ‘no one can live alone’. It was because I had friends by my side that I didn’t tire, and it was because I had a community supporting me that I could get back up. My determination not to turn away from someone else’s hardship likely stems from the fact that someone once reached out a hand to me.
I believe that by leveraging those experiences as assets, I have gained the strength to walk my own path unwaveringly, no matter the situation. And still, I aspire to be someone who does not pass by another’s hardship.
Motivation and Aspirations
“Creative talent ultimately drives the market.”
Today’s market is already saturated with countless products and technologies. It’s no exaggeration to call it a ‘saturated state’. However, for companies to survive and grow in the future, they must go beyond simply launching products; they must capture consumers’ attention with groundbreaking ideas and differentiated technological capabilities. At the heart of this must be creative and challenging technical talent.
Companies need not just functional technicians, but talent capable of generating new ideas and turning them into tangible results. Young, flexible engineers who can react sensitively to rapidly changing market environments, imagine endlessly, and immerse themselves relentlessly—such talent is desperately needed in today’s businesses.
I write this letter aspiring to be precisely that talent your company seeks. Throughout my academic years, I diligently studied technology and theory, building a solid foundation, and I confidently assert my keen sensitivity to the latest trends. Particularly, through participation in various competitions and projects, I cultivated creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. I have grown not merely as a technician, but as a creative engineer capable of unlocking new possibilities and bringing them to fruition.
Should I be granted the opportunity to join your company, I will spare no effort in applying my capabilities to grow into a core talent who can lead the company’s future. I will demonstrate this not merely through passion or enthusiasm, but through tangible skill. If you place your trust in my potential, I will undoubtedly meet your expectations.
Thank you.
