This blog post introduces how to effectively connect the systematic data organization skills and deep understanding of reading cultivated through a Library and Information Science major to practical publishing skills, and how to incorporate this into your resume.
Growth Process
“A thoughtful child who matured early”
From a young age, I was a thoughtful child, always deep in contemplation. I read extensively and kept encyclopedias close at hand, accumulating diverse knowledge, which naturally led to many thoughts about those subjects. Unlike my friends, I enjoyed reading encyclopedias, selecting relevant sections myself, excerpting them, and scraping them to build my knowledge. Back then, I didn’t just stop at acquiring information; I took time to deeply ponder and explore that knowledge. For example, when reading the history section of an encyclopedia and encountering the entry on the April 19 Revolution, I would strive to understand the historical background of that event and the underlying conflicts hidden within it.
When studying modern and contemporary history and learning about the historical background, procedures, process, and outcomes of the April 19 Revolution, I didn’t just memorize it; I sought out related reference books to read and engage in deep thinking. On the surface, the goal of democratization seemed to be the whole picture, but I came to understand that underlying it were complex elements intertwined: conflicts between social classes, regional rivalries, and internal power struggles within the ruling elite. Grasping these underlying dynamics was crucial to me, and it drove me to always engage in deep thinking.
This habit of studying with deep thought extended to the regular curriculum as well. Rather than merely acquiring knowledge, I strove to grasp its deeper meaning. Once I achieved that understanding, even textbook content became far more engaging. Even during exams, I didn’t just memorize answers; I actively sought them through thoughtful reasoning. This made exam preparation feel less like a chore and more like research, and I even came to enjoy taking the tests themselves.
Ultimately, I believe my values and perceptions regarding studying, reading, books, and exams differed significantly from those of my peers. For me, knowledge wasn’t merely something to memorize; it was a process of uncovering the underlying context and meaning. This attitude was a crucial part of my growth and will continue to significantly shape my way of thinking going forward.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Personality
“Calmness and Rational Thinking”
I possess a very calm and rational personality. Above all, my composed nature makes it easy for me to sit in one place for extended periods. I possess such a quiet and focused disposition that I can sit still reading books all day without fidgeting. When I go to the library, I typically immerse myself in studying without leaving my seat for at least six hours. My longest stretch was studying for a full 12 hours in a reading room. Of course, I took brief breaks or ate meals in between, but excluding those times, I was entirely focused on my studies. Thus, I possess a personality capable of deep immersion and sustained focus on a single task for extended periods. I believe this tendency stems from my inherent patience and ability to concentrate. Calmness, in particular, creates a familiar environment for me and greatly aids my ability to focus on my own work for long hours in quiet spaces.
Furthermore, I tend to prioritize rational thinking over emotional inclinations. I am somewhat distant from styles characterized by rich sensitivity or emotional reactivity. When judging any matter, I prioritize logic and analysis over emotion. This tendency is also evident in my reading habits. I prefer books that stimulate analytical thinking over literary works or essays. Even when reading literature, I am more interested in analyzing structure or vocabulary than feeling literary sensibilities. Therefore, I feel that studying grammar, logic, and concept-centered subjects suits my aptitude better than literary works.
The fields of books I primarily read also reflect this tendency well. I enjoy reading books containing rational and analytical content, such as science, psychology, and social sciences, rather than emotional works. Through these books, I find great satisfaction in broadening my range of common knowledge and deepening my knowledge. Psychology books are my absolute favorite genre. Psychology contains diverse keywords that enhance understanding of human nature and offers integrated knowledge spanning humanities, social sciences, history, and biographies. Above all, psychology provides opportunities to understand others while reflecting on myself, offering not only intellectual stimulation but also significant help in inner growth. Therefore, I frequently seek out and read psychology-related books to expand my knowledge and strive to achieve balance in life through this practice.
Thus, grounded in a calm and rational disposition, I consistently study, immerse myself, and pursue a life of satisfying intellectual curiosity. My tendency to prioritize analysis over emotion and understanding over sentimentality is both a personal strength and a unique perspective on life. I believe this personality will continue to be a crucial foundation for my future growth.
School Days
“What I Gained While Preparing for the Librarian Exam”
While majoring in Library and Information Science during college, I naturally began preparing for the librarian certification exam. After taking the graduation exam, I received my Level 2 Professional Librarian certification. Then, during my senior year, I challenged myself to pursue the Level 1 Professional Librarian certification. During the intensive preparation phase, I studied subjects like data organization, information computerization, and library database management while also completing related practical assignments. While working on these assignments, I formed a study group with like-minded teammates, which naturally evolved into a dedicated exam preparation study group.
This study group went beyond simply studying together; it greatly helped us align our progress, share information, and learn systematically. As a result, all members of the study group successfully obtained the Level 1 certification together, an experience that remains deeply meaningful to me.
Preparing for the librarian exam extended far beyond studying for the certification itself. I gained depth in my knowledge by broadly studying related subjects like the fundamental theory of book classification, library administration, and understanding classical texts. This experience proved especially valuable later when I began working at a publishing company. It provided a solid foundation for systematically classifying and managing content, developing approaches to accessing materials, and applying these skills directly to my daily work.
Preparing for the librarian certification was more than just exam preparation; it was a valuable time of growth where I developed both collaboration skills and practical competencies. This experience from my student days remains a cherished asset, one that continues to form a solid foundation for my professional life.
Career History
“Handling Publishing Administrative Duties at a Publishing House”
I majored in Library and Information Science during college and prepared for employment after graduation, aiming for a librarian management position. By chance, I began working at a publishing house, and this opportunity opened up new possibilities for me. Though it started as a simple part-time job, managing book catalogs, adjusting search windows, and systematically organizing keywords revealed how well this work suited my personality. Though it might seem like simple, repetitive work, this task, demanding meticulousness and systematic thinking, gave me great satisfaction. That experience motivated me to build expertise in the publishing field.
From that point on, I decided not to treat it merely as part-time experience but to build my career by making publishing house work a specialized field. Subsequently, I applied for roles related to information structuring—managing book collections, organizing catalogs, and systematically cataloging vast data to enable searchability. This led to the joy of being accepted by multiple publishing houses simultaneously. Since then, I have steadily built my career in this field, and before I knew it, I had been handling publishing administrative duties for over seven years.
Of course, the journey wasn’t always smooth. The publishing industry often lacks clear job boundaries, and working conditions aren’t particularly favorable, earning it the label of a “3D industry” (dirty, dangerous, and difficult). Working alongside proofreaders, copyeditors, planners, salespeople, and others performing diverse roles, I did question whether the publishing administrative work I handled truly required any special expertise. However, as time passed, I grew increasingly confident that my work was not merely administrative support, but an essential role in ensuring the smooth progress of publishing. It was particularly meaningful because it had many points of connection with my major, Library and Information Science, and this fact provided me with sustained motivation and confidence.
Even within the blurred boundaries of my work, I strove to firmly establish my own place. By taking pride in my responsibilities and working diligently and consistently, my efforts gradually began to be recognized by those around me. Through this process, I realized that publishing is more than just making books; it involves structuring and organizing information to provide readers with a better reading experience. Thus, I view administrative work at a publishing company not as a simple task but as a specialized field, and I aim for continuous growth and development moving forward.
Reasons for Applying and Career Aspirations
“I will grow as a publishing administration expert at your company.”
Your company is one of Korea’s top three publishers. I have long cherished the dream of joining your company, having enjoyed reading the diverse books you have published over the years. While I previously built my career at a small publishing house, I now aim to transition to a major publisher. The reason is that the field of publishing administration, unlike other roles, has the characteristic of having blurred boundaries between tasks. While small publishers require taking on diverse roles, I firmly believe greater growth is achievable in an environment where specialized expertise is emphasized as the organization scales up. This perspective has strengthened my desire to work at a large publisher like yours. Additionally, the fact that the fields of books your company handles align with my personal interests is a significant draw.
I have a strong interest in books primarily within the field of psychology. At my previous company, I enjoyed working with psychology-related books, and I have a deep affection for psychology within the social sciences. Seeing in your job posting that you are seeking someone to manage the psychology book category and select recommended titles, I believe my experience and interests align with the ideal candidate profile you seek. I am confident in my ability to diligently and promptly organize book catalogs systematically and accurately upload recommended titles.
Furthermore, regarding the online site management duties required by your company, I possess the capability to thoroughly execute various tasks, including content creation and promotional copywriting. This will enable effective promotion and content management for your publications. Based on my experience and capabilities, I seek the opportunity to grow and develop further within your company.
I will strive to establish myself as a publishing specialist at your company and do my utmost to ensure your publications reach and impact a wider audience. Thank you.
