This blog post introduces methods for environmental engineering majors to naturally weave their strengths into their application essays. Discover how to effectively highlight your major-specific knowledge and experience.
My Strengths and Weaknesses
“As an extroverted person, I am well-suited for collaboration.”
During my time in college, I met a wide variety of people. What struck me was how many individuals possessed truly unique characteristics, each with distinct traits that never overlapped. Because of this, I greatly enjoyed and valued interacting with such people, discussing how we differed and where we found common ground. Through this, I also began reflecting on the tendency to categorize people into two types: extroverts and introverts. I believe the reason people are often divided into these two groups is to determine whether someone is more suited for collaboration and easier to integrate into society. And I am very grateful to be an extroverted person. What I enjoy most is meeting people, and what I enjoy even more is meeting people for the first time. While I also enjoy studying independently, I equally love collaborating with others to create something together. Consequently, I was someone who thrived on teamwork. When conflicts arose between people, I was adept at mediating them, which led me to consistently take on team leader roles to look after my friends. By the time I graduated from university, I had become the student council president representing our department, leading the school.
A weakness in my personality is that once I start a task, I become so absorbed in it that I lose sight of my surroundings. Perhaps because I’m still young, I have so many things I want to do, and I’m the type who stops at nothing to achieve them. However, I know that always being aware of my surroundings is crucial in any job, so I will strive to remember that point.
On-Campus and Off-Campus Activities
“My first stage that taught me how to overcome limits and challenge myself”
I’m good at smiling in front of people and singing, but strangely, I felt terror whenever I stepped on stage. Even though I could present well and speak confidently in front of people, I’d start shaking the moment I held a microphone, and if given a platform, I couldn’t speak at all. I thought this trait, especially as a young man living in South Korea, was a very negative point, a place where I imposed limits on myself. So I impulsively joined an acoustic band club. I remember the first time I played and sang in front of people then. I went to Hongdae on a whim, went behind the playground, set up my instrument among countless other artists, and sang alone. Friends came to cheer me on, but I was the only one on stage. I felt utterly lost then, and fear threatened to overwhelm me again. But I instinctively knew that overcoming it would make things easier next time, so I just started singing. Then, one or two people began singing along and clapping. Their encouragement gave me courage, and I finished the performance well. After that, I became so proactive that I couldn’t find a stage to sing on. I also gained confidence in giving presentations or making PowerPoints at school.
Major Field and Achievements
“The beautiful air of Seoraksan Mountain that led me to choose Environmental Engineering”
The motivation for choosing my major field came from my grandmother. Living in the city, she became ill from stress and worry. Doctors had all given up on her condition and advised that living near a good mountain for recuperation would be best. It was a despairing situation, but since the area near Seoraksan was where she had originally lived, we decided to move her there without hesitation and set up a home for her. My aunt also moved in with her. When we visited the following Lunar New Year, we witnessed an astonishing sight. Grandmother, who had been unable to even sit, was walking and smiling. She said it was all thanks to the air, emphasizing how crucial clean air was. Of course, I don’t know if that story is true, but I felt deeply then that clean air is good for the human body. From that moment, I aspired to become an environmental engineer, someone who cleans the atmosphere. That’s why I chose my major and studied. The foundational courses for water quality, air, waste, and soil specializations include: – Fundamentals of Reaction Engineering, which forms the basis for these fields and covers the physics and chemistry of environmental pollution control systems; – Environmental Systems Engineering, which constructs physical and chemical environmental pollution control systems; – Basic Atmospheric Diffusion Theory, which classifies air pollutants from vehicles and industries into particulate and gaseous air pollutants and teaches the key principles of control technology; General Waste Treatment, which involves understanding the characteristics of waste generated in cities and from various sources, learning analysis methods through fieldwork, and practical experience. Additionally, I accumulated knowledge through various environmental engineering courses such as Water Supply and Sewerage Planning and Design, and Environmental and Ecological Civil Engineering. Although it was challenging at first, by the time I graduated, I was recognized for my diligent studies and graduated as the second-highest honoree.
Reason for Applying
“With the strong backing of ○○, I will help build a country where people can live well.”
○○ Construction is currently the top company in the fields of architecture, civil engineering, environment, and plant construction. This top position means it has practically carried out the most efficient and largest volume of construction projects, and it is also the company most trusted by the public. Throughout my studies in environmental engineering, I always aspired to join ○○. This is because ○○ strives for more ethical and cleaner construction practices and, compared to other companies, consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to the importance of environmental initiatives. Therefore, I dream of joining the steadfast ○○ Construction, a company that prioritizes both the environment and industry without neglecting either. I aspire to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and waste in line with ○○ Construction’s vision, making ○○ a cleaner and more beautiful company. I wish to join your company. Thank you for your consideration.
Creative Problem-Solving Experience
“Shift in Perspective, Generating Income.”
One experience occurred during a class, and the other while working a part-time job. I once took a class with the most demanding professor in our Environmental Science department. He often berated students, calling them lazy kids who only knew how to sit and stare at books, not how to work hard. He frequently scolded students who sat quietly. Especially when it came to presentation classes, he always expressed dissatisfaction. As the department president at the time, I wanted to give a presentation that wouldn’t disappoint him. So the effort I made was to relentlessly pursue the teacher. Even when he cursed or showed his displeasure, I constantly asked about what I felt while preparing the presentation and the parts I didn’t understand. If he gave me any hint, I would go to the National Assembly Library to decipher it, and I even went on field trips to areas with severe pollution and to areas that had been severely polluted but had since been cleaned up. After faithfully following him around for a month like this, when I finally gave my presentation, for the first time ever, my professor smiled while watching me. That moment made me realize that people must live by actively moving and asking questions.
Also, while working part-time, the bakery I was at was doing so poorly that it had to be sold. The owner had almost given up, and when a branded bakery opened nearby, he struggled tremendously. But I believed giving up like that would destroy a lifetime’s work. So I actively proposed ideas, like using social media and planning events. I persuaded the owner, who wanted to lower bread prices, to instead compete on quality and taste. As a result, the bakery not only regained its original income trajectory but became a renowned spot in Sinchon. That experience taught me that taking action is the key to solving anything.
