This blog post introduces how to naturally and persuasively weave your internet skills and digital savvy, cultivated since childhood, into an application essay for the internet communications industry.
Background
Growing up, our home had internet access relatively early compared to my peers. This was thanks to my father, who was always eager to get his hands on any new technology. Because of this, I was among the first to step through the threshold of a new world opening up. Of course, having an early interest didn’t mean I was immediately proficient. My father and I often found ourselves in comical situations, poring over various books and struggling with the newly installed internet. Fortunately, my cousin, who had graduated from a related field and possessed extensive knowledge, helped me. This allowed me to gradually immerse myself in that world without losing interest and giving up quickly. Above all, I realized that the internet’s true appeal wasn’t simply as a tool for self-entertainment, but rather the limitless possibilities of the new world unfolding within it. That’s when I became completely absorbed in that world.
My father, too, became thoroughly engrossed in the fun of this new world after work, thanks to my cousin’s encouragement. But naturally, the one who could spend more time on it each day was young me. As a result, I spent my days swimming through the sea of information without knowing any limits, until one day, due to an excessively high phone bill, my father and I got a ‘back smashing’ from my mother. But once my eyes were opened to this world, I couldn’t turn away. I became a constant spy, lurking around for any chance to sit at the computer, secretly maneuvering to evade my mother’s watchful eye. At first, my father showed interest first, but as time passed, I absorbed and mastered knowledge much faster. After all, I could invest more time and absorb new things without prejudice. Eventually, the situation reversed, and soon enough, the absurd scene unfolded where I was teaching my father how to use the computer.
School Life
As a minor, trapped in the repetitive cycle of daily life, I became deeply captivated by the existence of the ‘internet,’ which allowed me to step beyond the confines of my immediate surroundings and encounter the vast world. There, I could converse with people of all ages, gain access to information I hadn’t known existed, and encounter people and news that were hard to come by in my monotonous routine. Amidst the daily grind that felt like spinning in circles, each time I experienced such moments, I felt a quiet yet profound sense of wonder. And naturally, I found myself increasingly drawn to the strong temptation to step into a wider, deeper world. Yet, the deeper I immersed myself, the more I felt my knowledge and abilities were still lacking.
But endlessly sinking into the virtual world clashed with the rules I had to uphold in reality. Especially after first encountering the internet, my mother, displeased with how I poured even time meant for reading books or studying into it, imposed a ‘brake’ on me: I could only use the internet after completing a set amount of study time. Thanks to this, I began spending my time balancing real-life routines with the virtual space. My mind was constantly churning with information and stimuli, yet I also felt a sense of emptiness from internet activities that left no tangible results or records in the real world. At one point, that emptiness became so intense that I distanced myself from the internet for a while. Soon, however, the thought arose: ‘Is there no way to channel the results of this activity into tangible, real-world form?’ And I found the answer in the idea of pursuing a career in a related field. From that moment on, I could spur myself forward more earnestly toward my dreams and goals, moving beyond mere curiosity or entertainment.
Personality Strengths and Weaknesses
I am the type of person who, when advancing toward a goal, steadily overcomes any walls of reality I encounter and consistently strives upward. I believe that people cannot live solely on hope and vision; they must also fulfill their practical obligations to some extent. However, if one becomes completely immersed in reality and forgets their ideals entirely, life can become excessively bleak. I firmly believe that no matter how long or winding the path to the summit may be, one must always keep their gaze fixed upward, holding the original goal firmly in sight. Otherwise, there is a high risk of losing one’s way or drifting aimlessly, even forgetting the very point one initially sought to reach. Of course, reckless attempts like forcing one’s way up dangerous cliffs instead of following the path should be avoided.
Because of this attitude, I’ve been criticized: “In a world where just making ends meet is hard enough, how long do you plan to hold onto your dreams?” But for me, dreams are not a waste of time; they are what add luster to life and provide the driving force to live tomorrow. They are the starting point that allows me to remain myself and a clear standard that defines life. I have held onto this belief steadfastly, and I intend to continue walking my path unwaveringly, harmoniously bridging dreams and reality.
Values
Faced with the ever-changing technologies and cultural artifacts of the world, I always want to keep my mind open and embrace them as I move forward. I believe regression doesn’t mean swimming against the current of the world, but rather begins the moment we close our minds and halt our steps before that ceaseless flow, like a river. Once we start harboring negative thoughts like, “It’s hard to keep up with the times now,” or “I just don’t understand why things are trending the way they are these days,” the gap between our thinking and the world’s flow inevitably widens.
Of course, as we age and gain experience, moments come when we feel our own limitations—that we can’t react as quickly or adapt as flexibly as we once did. However, if we express that regret and frustration as ‘resistance to the world’s progress,’ the distance between the world and ourselves only grows wider. Ultimately, we find ourselves unable to naturally integrate into the culture that countless people take for granted and enjoy at the appropriate time. Instead, we end up in the position of a latecomer, struggling to catch up.
That is why I strive even harder. To acknowledge the world’s changes as they are, and to approach and experience them step by step, even if unfamiliar. I believe this is the path to narrowing the distance between the world and myself. Living this way, even amidst the gaps created by era and age, I will always continue learning and walk flexibly within the flow.
Motivation and Aspirations
Influenced by my father, who embraced and enjoyed new technologies faster than anyone, I too discovered the internet world early in my childhood. To my young self, the internet was an astonishing gateway opening the horizon to a boundless new world. Yet simultaneously, the fact that I couldn’t physically hold any of the things within it brought a certain disappointment and frustration. Living in a relatively confined space and environment back then, the emergence of the internet—which unfolded a new world beyond the limitations of physical distance—was nothing short of a sensational experience.
Deeply captivated by the internet’s allure, I accumulated diverse knowledge and experiences, growing within that world. This background instilled in me the resolve to ‘further develop these talents and experiences and formally challenge myself in internet-related work.’ Consequently, I am applying to your company, which has continuously pioneered new possibilities in the internet industry and presented innovative models and diversified business forms. I am confident that combining your company’s youthful and dynamic energy with my experience will undoubtedly create positive and synergistic results. I aspire to lead the tide of change alongside your company and pioneer a broader future.
