This blog post introduces how to effectively convey the practical skills suitable for a university administrative position in your application letter, based on the academic operations support experience and organizational communication skills gained as a university teaching assistant.

Growth Process

Thanks to my parents’ active participation in volunteer activities, I grew up in a warm atmosphere naturally imbued with a spirit of service. In particular, our family regularly pooled resources with relatives for donations or sponsorship activities, and when fundraising was needed, we took the lead in participating via ARS. In this environment, I naturally learned to share consideration and warmth with neighbors in need. Even during major national disasters, our family never failed to contribute to fundraising efforts, and I found great fulfillment in knowing I could be a small source of strength for others through this process. Above all, I came to deeply respect my parents, who embodied such warm hearts and actions themselves.
My parents always taught me and my siblings to respect each other and maintain a harmonious attitude. They emphasized that this mindset—understanding and respecting others’ perspectives—should extend beyond our home, into the wider world. I tried to follow that teaching, but as a child, it often proved difficult to put into practice. I would quarrel with my siblings over trivial matters, or get into arguments with friends at school over minor misunderstandings. Each time, rather than scolding me, my parents would calmly listen to my side first, empathizing with my feelings and showing understanding. That warm attitude made me reflect on myself instead. Realizing my immature and inadequate heart was understood filled me with both remorse and a desire to change. A determination to not let my parents’ prayers go to waste naturally took root in my heart.
After that, I gradually began participating more in various volunteer activities alongside my parents. I went to kimchi-making events hosted by the church, chatted with the elderly there, and spent time with friends at the orphanage. Seeing people living in much harder circumstances than mine up close made me deeply reflect on how much I had been taking for granted. I even participated in overseas volunteer work, where I met African boys living with the help of UNICEF. I donated my allowance for them, and experiencing how that small act could change someone’s day made me look at life more seriously.
These experiences gradually helped me grow, and I ultimately solidified my resolve to become a better person and live a life that positively impacts others. I believe I am who I am today thanks to my parents, who taught me the value of empathizing with others’ pain and living a life of sharing, and to the experiences that allowed me to feel that teaching firsthand. Moving forward, I want to live as someone who can extend a warm hand to others, based on respect and harmony.

Strengths and Weaknesses of My Personality

When I first started volunteering during high school, I realized how much joy comes from physically helping others. Previously, I hadn’t placed much significance on volunteering, but through kimchi-making volunteer work for the elderly, I felt genuine fulfillment for the first time. I truly experienced how joyful it is to provide practical help to someone, and I was deeply moved when many people offered me warm words like “You’re admirable” and “Thank you.” This experience became a catalyst for my consistent participation in various volunteer activities, and through this process, I naturally cultivated a spirit of service. It also became an opportunity to understand and respect my parents’ lives, who always practice service and sharing.
When you volunteer, you meet all kinds of people. In the process, I became accustomed to understanding people’s lives and taking a step closer to them. Later, I expanded beyond Korea to help friends living in Africa, sharing the joy of exchanging letters and lives with them. While caring for neighbors far away, I also strive not to ignore those close to me. If a friend faces hardship, I tend to reach out to help first, without judging their circumstances. Sometimes I take on the role of a sincere confidant, other times a practical helper, building relationships through these actions. Within these connections, I find a sense of bond in the very process of mutual support and reliance, and derive great satisfaction from the deepening human relationships that emerge.
However, this tendency can sometimes be a drawback. In relationships, an attitude of giving or sacrificing too much can actually become a burden to the other person. I naturally tend to adapt to others because I find joy in helping people. So, I often preemptively say things like, “Don’t feel too burdened,” to ensure the other person doesn’t feel uncomfortable. By respecting and adjusting to each other’s positions in this way, as we continue the relationship, the other person often feels grateful for my sincerity and willingly opens their heart for me.
Even now, I maintain deep friendships primarily with people I met through church, and we regularly participate in volunteer activities together. In this way, volunteering transcends a simple activity; it is one of the core values shaping my life and the aspect that best reflects my character. The fulfillment gained from helping someone, the warmth of relationships that blossom within it, and the joy of finding and doing what I can – these are the sentiments I cherish most in my life.

School Life

“Studying Abroad in China”
During my time at university, I had the experience of being sent as an exchange student to Beijing Normal University in Beijing, China. Having always been interested in studying abroad, I naturally participated when my home university offered an exchange program with courses that piqued my interest. At the time, I possessed a certain level of Chinese proficiency, which helped me successfully pass the interview and begin my study abroad experience there.
After arriving in China, I made every effort to make the most of my time. I focused particularly on improving my language skills and actively participated in international student club activities where I could interact with students of various nationalities. Through these activities, I made friends from Japan, Taiwan, the United States, and other countries, and we traveled together throughout China. Many of my multinational friends expressed a strong desire to experience Chinese culture and regions firsthand, so travel naturally became a significant part of my study abroad experience.
These travel experiences went beyond simple sightseeing. I took charge of planning group trips, acting as a travel planner. I meticulously coordinated every detail—from itineraries and travel routes to accommodations, meal plans, and budgets—and sometimes had to quickly handle unexpected situations. Traveling to diverse cities like the Great Wall, Shanghai, downtown Beijing, and even Hong Kong, I realized that this process of planning, coordinating, and executing fully showcased my natural inclinations.
My traveling companions trusted my meticulous preparation and level-headed judgment, which naturally led to them describing me as “thorough” and “a reliable executor” even after the trip ended. This experience solidified my belief that I thrive in roles involving planning and execution. It also prompted me to deeply consider career paths that would leverage these strengths.

Career Story

I graduated from the Department of Korean Language Education at the College of Education, ○○ University. Before graduation, I gained firsthand experience of the teaching profession through educational practicum, but I felt it didn’t quite align with my inclinations. This led me to reconsider my career path, and during that process, I developed an interest in the field of ‘administration’. I found myself drawn to the idea of performing diverse administrative tasks and managing an organization, which naturally led me to decide to work as a university teaching assistant. This was my first step to see if this work truly suited me.
After applying and being accepted as a department teaching assistant, I worked for a year assisting professors and handling various tasks, including planning and executing department events. Although it was my first experience with administrative work, it was unexpectedly enjoyable and interesting. Particularly, while handling various events and practical tasks, I felt a sense of responsibility and accomplishment rather than stress. When given a task, I approached it with greater care, knowing that its quality directly reflected the department’s image. I became more cautious, aware that even a small mistake on my part could impact the whole.
Working in the administrative office of the very College of Education I had graduated from allowed me to approach my duties with even greater affection. Whereas my student days involved participating in events, seminars, and classes as a recipient, my role as a teaching assistant shifted me to the provider side—planning, setting up, and executing these events myself. This experience gave me my first real sense of how much preparation and effort goes into even a single small event. For instance, even when preparing simple refreshments, I made a conscious effort to consider the attendees’ perspective and prepare meticulously. I also exercised my creativity to ensure the environment was as pleasant as possible.
This process naturally broadened my network. Beyond building bonds with professors within my department, collaborating and interacting with teaching assistants from other departments enriched my personal network within the university. Building on these experiences, I challenged myself to pursue a formal administrative position at the same university. While currently on a fixed-term contract, I am now working in the school’s administrative field. In a way, it’s a preparatory step moving from being a ‘quasi-civil servant’ towards becoming a ‘full-fledged civil servant’.
My time as an administrative assistant was more than just work experience. It was a valuable period that allowed me to personally realize what kind of person I am—someone who can take responsibility and immerse myself in tasks—and how I can contribute to an organization. Moving forward, I want to grow into a more professional administrator, building on this experience.