This blog post introduces how to effectively incorporate diverse experiences—such as volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and working holidays—into your cover letter when applying to pharmaceutical companies.
Background
“A childhood spent not in the city, but in the countryside, feeling the warmth of community”
I grew up not in the city, but in the countryside, specifically in a small village near Tongyeong. The 12 years I spent there remain the most cherished memories of my life. The villagers were always warm, and the hands of the men who shared freshly caught fish from the sea always carried the briny scent of the sea. About once a month, everyone would gather around the communal platform in the village center for a feast. Sharing prepared fish, passing around makgeolli, and sharing each other’s hard work and hardships – that scene remains vivid in my heart even now.
Occasionally, disputes over rights would arise, but when that happened, the village elders would offer a word of admonishment. Then, with a bow and a “Yes, I understand,” they would naturally apologize to each other. I grew up in this neighborhood overflowing with affection, playing with the few peers my age and everyone else—older sisters, brothers, younger siblings—as if they were all friends. In those times of laughing and playing together regardless of age, I personally felt how precious the bonds between people truly are.
Thanks to these experiences, even in the city, rather than getting swept up in the harsh atmosphere, I have always tried to open my heart first and share affection, even if I’m alone. I resolved to participate diligently in volunteer work, give generously to friends, and live a life focused on giving more than receiving. As a result, I was always surrounded by people, and my dream became to live happily, laughing together with them. The warmth and affection I learned in the countryside are the most solid foundation guiding my future life and the values I wish to uphold.
My Strengths and Weaknesses
“If it’s something I must do, I’ll see it through to the end, even if it kills me.”
I detest the very notion that “I can’t do it because I’m a woman” or “it’s hard because I’m a woman.” In my work, I possess strong pride and a distinct tendency to strive for high quality and completion. I believe that quality is the very measure of who I am. Therefore, even when working part-time jobs, I didn’t confine myself to “work typically done by women” or “work suited for those with delicate hands.” Instead, I worked diligently checking incoming goods at a logistics center, even when faced with rude remarks from older men. I wasn’t picky about food or sleep, and I never blamed myself or complained about uncomfortable conditions. Rather, I observed my surroundings, forged my own path, and strived to move forward. These accumulated experiences have shaped me into someone who possesses the resilience to see any task through to the end.
Of course, I have personality flaws too. My perfectionist tendencies lead me to make overly meticulous plans, sometimes earning me a reputation for being cold. During team projects or running academic societies with business students, I’ve been criticized for rushing ahead without sufficiently considering others’ difficulties. To improve this, I strive to observe my surroundings more carefully and work with greater flexibility. I recognize that my drive for perfection can be both a strength and a weakness, and I aim to grow into a more balanced individual going forward.
School Life and Volunteer Activities
“Facing Korea’s Reality Through Club Activities”
I grew up in a relatively comfortable environment, which I sometimes feel ashamed of. My parents ran a business for many years and lived diligently, enabling them to provide well for our family’s needs. Coming from such a background, I didn’t fully grasp the reality of what ‘poverty’ truly meant.
However, while volunteering to assist elderly individuals living alone, I encountered a completely different world. I saw people living in cramped spaces barely large enough for one person to lie down, individuals enduring loneliness and illness alone without family, and those struggling under the weight of debt due to difficult circumstances. In that moment, I felt the fear and burden that poverty brings deep in my bones. That’s why I didn’t let volunteering be a one-time experience; I continued it steadily. This is precisely why I kept serving even when I was sick.
Through this process, I became acutely aware of the severity of Korea’s elderly care issues. Deep within me, the thought took root: ‘I want to do work that helps solve this problem, even just a little.’ After much contemplation, I decided on a career path at Gaeseong Pharmaceutical. Providing essential medicines where they are truly needed, protecting people’s lives – that is the path I dream of.
“The Power of Togetherness, the Value of Harmony”
While working part-time as a tutor at an academy, I felt the importance of ‘harmony’ with my whole being. The academy I worked at fostered an atmosphere where competition among students was excessively intense, and mistrust and backbiting were rampant. Naturally, tension and discomfort arose among the tutors themselves, and communication between the director and the tutors was also not smooth.
Working in this environment for about four months, I directly experienced the difficulties that arise when harmony within an organization breaks down. The negative impact of individual selfishness on colleagues, and the distrust and discomfort created by a lack of communication, had a far greater ripple effect than I had imagined. During that time, I learned the truth that ‘I must set aside my own desires and work for the sake of those I work with.’ Through that experience, I grew into someone who strives to communicate with a more generous and open heart.
These two experiences became invaluable lessons in my life. Volunteering broadened my awareness of social issues, while my part-time job experience taught me the value of harmony and communication within an organization. Whatever I do in the future, I aim to walk a path that helps people, grounded in these two values.
Social Experience
“Experiencing diverse corporate visions and marketing strategies through external activities.”
Through various external activities, I have directly experienced the visions and marketing strategies of multiple companies. While conducting cultural marketing at Lotte, I gained firsthand insight into Lotte’s marketing direction rooted in commercialism. As a CJ Cultural Foundation supporter, I deeply contemplated the meaning of working for a foundation. Additionally, while participating in supporter activities for theater and products, I observed how various companies efficiently design their revenue structures and had the opportunity to analyze their strengths and weaknesses. These experiences broadened my perspective and were particularly decisive in choosing Gaeseong Pharmaceutical.
“Developing language skills and adaptability through a working holiday experience.”
The Working Holiday was also an incredibly valuable social experience for me. The process of accomplishing everything on my own from the very beginning—from finding a place to live, learning the language, searching for a job, to learning how to eat and adapt to the local lifestyle in an unfamiliar environment—made me much stronger. Learning to ask for what I needed and seek help in a new environment made me rethink the fundamentals of social life and building relationships. When I worked in sales abroad, I unexpectedly discovered I was quite adept at interacting with people. My language skills also improved noticeably, and that sense of accomplishment translated into significant confidence. This experience made me realize new possibilities within myself, and I believe it will be a positive driving force for future challenges.
Motivation for Application and Aspirations
“I aspire to become an employee who grows together at the heart of a company for people.”
The type of company I wish to join after graduation is one that is ‘for people’. I have always wanted to work where I can utilize my abilities based on a ‘people-oriented mindset’. Kaesong Pharmaceutical aligns perfectly with these values, which is why I applied without hesitation. Gaeseong Pharmaceutical is a leading company in the pharmaceutical wholesale industry, ensuring thorough distribution of medicines based on advanced logistics for prescription drugs. I was particularly impressed by how it contributes to public health by swiftly and accurately delivering medicines to national and public hospitals. Furthermore, I deeply resonated with its growth rooted in the upright philosophy that ‘a company’s growth is due to its people.’ I respect this philosophy and vision, and I applied for this position to become a part of it.
After joining, I too will become a ‘person who serves people’. First, I will respect and care for my colleagues and fellow employees, striving to be a member who fosters a positive and warm atmosphere within the company. Furthermore, aligning with the company’s people-centered values, I will actively participate in various social contribution activities and campaigns. I will dedicate my utmost effort to my assigned duties, contributing to the company’s growth, and then return those results to society and people, creating a virtuous cycle. Through this, I will become a steadfast member of Gaeseong Pharmaceutical, helping it contribute to assisting and saving more people. Thank you.
