In this blog post, I will summarize my academic experiences and school activities during high school, examples of my consideration and cooperation, and my academic and career plans after entering college.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
I have been interested in computer programming since middle school and have experience preparing for related competitions. Based on this interest, I enrolled in a computer science track in high school and completed a curriculum focused on security solutions. Although the department offered other majors such as smart content and devices, I recognized the importance of personal data protection and security issues and concluded that the information security field was the next-generation blue ocean. Therefore, the department’s goal of training security experts aligned perfectly with my own.
During my first year, while studying basic programming, web programming, and mobile programming, I focused primarily on developing programs to prevent personal data leaks caused by the integration of smart devices with web and mobile apps. I took an interest in mobile payments, ISP authentication, and security issues in financial apps, and I even undertook a project where I designed and developed a model to reduce the provision of unnecessary information during mobile shopping.
In my sophomore year, I studied algorithm design and system programming, and gained hands-on experience through practical training in server setup and system security. In particular, I had many opportunities to actually implement penetration testing scenarios for apps and the corresponding defense techniques. While working on app security projects, I developed a keen sense of how to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
By my third year, I had clearly defined my major and career path as the Information Security Lab within the Department of Computational Statistics, and I balanced my college entrance exam preparation with my regular coursework. I studied network security and information protection in depth and simultaneously prepared for relevant certifications (e.g., ITQ). I addressed any knowledge gaps through EBS lectures and supplementary study, and I efficiently prepared for the college entrance exams by participating in a school-organized preparation class that combined regular coursework with advanced lectures.
Through my studies, I realized that theory alone is insufficient for solving practical problems. Hands-on practice and repeated project experience were the true paths to building security capabilities, and I was able to expand my problem-solving skills through the advice of peers and seniors. I also learned that, since information security is a field where technology changes rapidly, it is crucial to maintain an attitude of continuous self-learning and adaptability to the latest environments.
Write about major campus activities and reflections
One of the most meaningful activities I participated in was the Hacking and Security Club. I joined the club because I was particularly interested in the field of financial security and believed that protecting the personal information of financial institutions and public agencies was crucial. The club was organized into three divisions: web, network, and applications. I belonged to the applications team, which focused on smart devices, and researched the potential for virus infiltration and personal data leaks through apps.
Club activities went beyond mere socializing or hobbies. I set a personal goal to gain recognition for my expertise in financial hacking security and made systematic efforts to achieve that goal. For me, becoming the best wasn’t just about ranking first within the club; it meant building my skills to achieve results in external competitions and earning the trust of those around me.
At first, I felt the barriers to entry in the field of hacking were quite high. Seniors provided one-on-one guidance to pass on their theoretical and practical knowledge, and based on their advice, I was able to quickly build my skills. Working on team projects with my peers, I went through the process of building APM-based web servers, configuring server virtualization and cloud networks, and designing security for virtualized servers.
The projects were conducted through a cycle of penetration testing exercises and security system testing. We would introduce viruses and attempt to defend against them using the security systems we developed; if we failed, we would modify the algorithms and test again.
Sometimes we stayed up all night to meet our goals, and through that process, the bonds between team members grew stronger.
Through club activities, I learned not only technical knowledge but also the importance of collaboration. I experienced firsthand that we could achieve better results by dividing roles and leveraging each other’s strengths rather than trying to complete a project alone. Furthermore, when I undertook a small-scale project related to financial security on my own, drawing on my team-based experience, the help and feedback from my peers were a great source of strength.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections
The projects we undertook in the club often involved complex problems that required advice from seniors or external consultants. Since projects were prone to delays if seniors were busy or unfamiliar with certain aspects, we invited alumni to host regular special lectures and Q&A sessions. We allocated a portion of the club’s budget to host these guest lectures on a weekly basis, and the alumni gladly participated to share their practical know-how.
The lectures took the form of one-on-many tutoring sessions, where we listened to the main presentation and then had time to ask individual questions about the programs we were each developing. On the days of the lectures, we prepared thoroughly, presenting and explaining the code we were developing and the debugging issues we had encountered. The team member most involved in the program would present, and the senior would offer practical advice; we solved problems by applying the advice on the spot and making adjustments.
Most issues were resolved through the seniors’ advice, and when immediate solutions weren’t possible, we leveraged collective intelligence by discussing them with our teammates. What I learned through this process was not only technical solutions but also how to ask for help and the attitude of sharing knowledge. The mutual consideration and knowledge sharing among seniors, juniors, and peers elevated the club’s overall capabilities, and the career advice I received from alumni was a great help in concretizing my future plans.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation and Career Plans
My ultimate goal is to become a researcher studying security protocols and systems in an information security laboratory after graduating from the Department of Computational Statistics. I view my undergraduate studies as a process of laying a solid foundation, and I intend to acquire more specialized research capabilities by pursuing graduate studies. In particular, I plan to focus on research into financial security systems based on ubiquitous environments and smart devices. This is a topic I have been interested in since high school, and I believe its importance will grow further with the expansion of app-based financial services.
My specific academic plan is as follows. In my first year, I will thoroughly study basic programming and further refine my career direction. Even after entering university, I will strive to clearly define my specialized research field through various experiences. In my second year, I will take courses in web programming, data processing, and information processing, while also participating in club activities to gain hands-on experience. Projects in the club will serve as an important opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical applications.
In my third year, I plan to take advanced courses such as algorithms and operating systems while working on a personal project. I intend to select and implement a research topic that is more personal and in-depth than the team projects I undertook in my second year. Additionally, once my industry internship begins, I will visit companies specializing in financial information security to gain practical experience and gain practical insights relevant to my research topic.
In my senior year, I will take courses in both information security and artificial intelligence to prepare for interdisciplinary research. Through additional field internships, I will gain experience operating security systems at the level of large corporations, and after graduation, I plan to further deepen my research capabilities by pursuing graduate studies. Ultimately, I aspire to grow into a convergent security expert who combines academic knowledge with practical experience, contributing to the creation of a secure smart financial environment.
