In this blog post, we’ll show you where to begin and how to write your cover letter when applying to a medical equipment company, along with effective ways to highlight your core competencies and experience.
Growth Background
“A new dream born from the question ‘Why?’”
I was a child who constantly asked ‘Why?’ from a young age. My curiosity was so intense that even those around me would say, “Stop asking already.” Questions flowed constantly during class, and one doubt often led to another. If a teacher’s explanation wasn’t clear, I’d search books myself to resolve my curiosity. Even while reading a single sentence in a textbook, if something caught my attention, I’d endlessly question and delve into it. I wasn’t a top student with stellar grades, but I believe my attitude of deeply exploring any question was stronger than anyone else’s.
This curiosity naturally intertwined with my father’s influence and expanded into specific interests. My father ran an orthopedic department at a local hospital, and that hospital was a familiar space to me, like another playground. I spent a lot of time wandering through the examination rooms and wards, and scenes or objects that other children might have simply passed by were always subjects of inquiry for me. Questions like “What illness does this patient have?”, “How does orthopedics differ from internal medicine?”, or “What is this medical device used for?” constantly swirled around in my head. It was simple curiosity, but within it lay an instinctive desire to know and understand things more deeply.
The decisive moment came during elementary school when I injured my ankle playing soccer. Receiving treatment at my father’s hospital, I directly experienced the help provided by various medical devices, and it was then that I first became strongly impressed by the field of ‘medical equipment’. Beyond simply receiving treatment, the fact that machines could assist the human body fascinated and intrigued me. From that day on, I began closely observing the medical devices used in hospitals, consistently curious about how they worked and the principles behind treating illness.
These constant ‘why?’ questions ultimately became crucial clues guiding me toward my career path and dreams. That simple childhood curiosity has now solidified into a sense of inquiry with its own direction, and at the beginning of it all, there was always a question. Moving forward, I will not stop asking these questions. I will continue seeking deeper answers and concretizing my dreams.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Personality
“I am very curious, a deep thinker, and somewhat stubborn.”
I am naturally very curious. Once a question arises in my mind, I have a strong tendency to dig deep until I find the answer. When I become immersed in something like this, I tend to become less sensitive to my surroundings, but that’s how deeply and intensely I focus on one thing. Especially when I develop an interest in a particular field, I strive to explore it to a depth and breadth that often surprises others. For example, when I became interested in medicine, I frequently visited the library, reading as many medical books as possible to satisfy my curiosity about the structure and physiological functions of the human body.
Another characteristic of mine is that I tend to overthink things. It doesn’t stop at simple curiosity; I often ponder the various possibilities and contexts surrounding it to an almost absurd degree. This naturally leads me to frequently ask questions of those around me, and sometimes those questions take unexpected turns. However, as I resolve these doubts one by one through this process of inquiry, I eventually reach a conclusion that satisfies me. The conclusions I arrive at this way develop their own conviction and belief.
Thus, conclusions I draw myself through effort and thought foster a steadfast subjectivity that is not easily swayed, which can also translate into my stubbornness. Having a clear sense of self and confidence is certainly an advantage. However, on the other hand, if that stubbornness becomes excessive, it can easily be perceived as obstinacy, and there are times when I cling to my thoughts without realizing they are actually misguided. In fact, my stubbornness has often surfaced in unexpected ways, leading to criticism from those around me, and through such experiences, I’ve become aware of my shortcomings.
To compensate for this, I consciously strive to listen more attentively to others’ perspectives. Especially in work settings, where collaboration with people holding diverse opinions and viewpoints is common, I remain vigilant against the risk that stubbornly clinging to my own position could hinder smooth progress. Moving forward, I aim to maintain my convictions while respecting others’ opinions, cultivating the ability to communicate and coordinate with an open mindset.
School Life and Social Activities
“Finding My Path Through Endless Curiosity About Medical Devices”
Having held a deep interest in medical devices and the medical field since childhood, I gained the opportunity to formally explore this passion when I chose to major in nursing for university. The nursing department where I studied had a dedicated medical practice lab equipped with various medical devices, allowing us to use them hands-on anytime. During class, I learned how to handle devices like self-monitoring blood glucose meters and joint braces, understanding their practical clinical applications. Exploring cutting-edge equipment such as electronic stethoscopes further deepened my fascination with medical devices.
However, the nursing curriculum focused primarily on the basic ‘use’ of medical devices, leaving me somewhat unsatisfied as it didn’t fully address my deep curiosity and technical questions. Questions like “How does this machine work?” and “Could it be improved?” constantly surfaced, and my career direction gradually became clearer. Ultimately, as I entered my senior year, I decided to transfer into the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
To transfer, I needed to maintain a certain GPA and achieve a high TOEIC score. Therefore, until the second semester of my sophomore year, I rigorously managed my grades while simultaneously preparing for the TOEIC, ultimately achieving a score exceeding 900. Based on this achievement, I transferred into the Biomedical Engineering department within the same university starting my junior year. This finally allowed me to study the structure, principles, and development processes of medical devices in depth.
While adapting to engineering courses presented some initial challenges, the medical knowledge I gained in nursing proved invaluable. My experience in clinical settings and foundational understanding of medical science allowed me to approach subjects with a broad perspective, applying theory to real-world situations. This became a strength that deepened the scope of my research. Because I chose this path myself, I felt an even greater sense of responsibility. Through persistent effort without giving up, I was able to develop my own unique perspective and capabilities regarding medical devices.
After graduating from university, I conducted an internship within the biomedical engineering team at my alma mater’s university hospital. There, I was primarily responsible for repairing and maintaining medical devices. I also participated in simple functional improvements and small-scale development processes. Due to the hospital environment, the primary tasks were ‘utilization’ and ‘repair’ of devices, while actual ‘development’ was often handled by external specialized companies. Consequently, I proposed an internship placement at a medical device development company and subsequently secured an opportunity to work there as an intern.
The corporate internship proved to be an experience that further stimulated my curiosity. Compared to my hospital internship, I was able to actively participate in analyzing the structure of medical devices and designing new features within a much more professional environment. Witnessing the actual product creation process, problem-solving approaches, and the importance of cross-departmental collaboration transformed my passion for medical devices into conviction.
From choosing my major to internships and practical training, I have always centered my path around the keyword ‘medical devices’. I find great appeal in understanding how machines operate, improving them to benefit patients, and the potential to create a better healthcare environment. My experiences thus far hold meaning beyond mere academics or practice; they have instilled a strong motivation to continuously develop expertise in this field. These experiences are ultimately illuminating the direction of my career path more clearly.
Volunteer Activities
“I regularly volunteer at a domestic foreigner clinic.”
In recent years, the number of foreigners residing in Korea has steadily increased. Consequently, the need for medical services targeting immigrants and foreigners living in Korea has also grown. However, many existing hospitals operate based on the national health insurance system for Korean citizens, presenting various barriers for foreigners to access care. To address these limitations, clinics for foreigners provide tailored medical services suited to each individual’s circumstances. Some also operate free clinics for those facing financial hardship.
I regularly volunteer at one of these free clinics for foreigners. Since my university days, I have felt the importance of diversity in healthcare and social contribution, striving to turn these thoughts into action. My first role at this clinic was as an interpreter volunteer. Since it’s challenging for student volunteers to participate directly in medical care from the start, my role was to facilitate smooth communication between patients and medical staff. Meeting patients from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds allowed me to develop the ability to understand and empathize with their situations and emotions, going beyond simple language translation.
Over time, I took on tasks like managing clinic supplies and assisting with operations. As my volunteer experience grew, I also began handling some basic medical tasks. Many patients required primary diagnosis or basic nursing care, though not for severe illnesses. Providing them with necessary services allowed me to directly experience the role of a healthcare professional. Through regular volunteering, I gained practical experience in a medical setting and found deep fulfillment and satisfaction in sincere acts of service for others.
Through these experiences, I came to believe that what a healthcare professional must possess is not only specialized knowledge and skills but also a corresponding level of dedication to service. The mindset and attitude required to consistently provide essential help to those in need further solidified my identity as a healthcare professional. I will strive to remain true to this spirit and become a healthcare professional who fulfills my role and responsibilities.
Career Goals and Future Aspirations
“An R&D Specialist Contributing to the Diversification and Domestic Production of Medical Equipment”
In Korea, the fields of medicine and nursing have achieved significant development, and the scope of utilization for medical support personnel is gradually expanding. However, in contrast, the development of the medical equipment sector has been relatively slow, and technological self-reliance also remains at a low level. Studying biomedical engineering allowed me to directly experience this reality, naturally fostering a sense of urgency about the issue. The career paths available to engineers specializing in medical devices are narrower than one might expect, and there are actually few companies that commercialize and bring to market the equipment they research and develop. While related companies do exist, they still rely heavily on foreign technology in areas like technical capabilities and manufacturing processes.
I aim to improve this situation and contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Korea’s medical equipment industry. Specifically, I aspire to overcome the current excessive reliance on foreign medical equipment and grow into a talent who can contribute to the localization and diversification of medical devices. To achieve this, I strive to become a comprehensive R&D expert with broad capabilities, involved across the entire R&D spectrum—from fundamental research to application and commercialization—rather than being limited to a single specialized field.
As the first step toward realizing this goal, I am applying to your company’s medical equipment development department. I will dedicate myself fully to practical technology development and research, leveraging the engineering knowledge and problem-solving skills I have accumulated thus far. My short-term goal is to contribute to your company’s technological advancement and sales growth. Long-term, I aim to enhance the overall self-reliance and drive technological innovation within Korea’s medical device industry. I am ○○○, a talent who looks far ahead, thinks big, and acts consistently. Thank you.
