This blog post explores how applicants to Industrial and Management Engineering can effectively highlight their interdisciplinary thinking—spanning both business and engineering—in their academic plan.

Writing About Academic Experience and Reflections

“I dig deep into anything I don’t know until I understand it.”
When studying, I have a personality that insists on understanding even the smallest thing I don’t know before moving on. However, I wasn’t always this persistent. In fact, this trait took root in me after experiencing a painful failure, following a period where I studied rather haphazardly. The turning point was my first exam, taken right after entering high school as a freshman. Up until middle school, I had managed my studies relatively easily. My approach of guessing based on what I understood or relying on intuition worked, allowing me to achieve reasonably satisfactory grades. But the first exam I faced in high school was on an entirely different level. The questions demanded precise understanding of concepts and principles, not mere memorization or intuition. My sloppy study habits ultimately led to a devastating result: a score that didn’t even reach 50 points.
Receiving that score sent me into a deep shock. Beyond the disappointment and hurt pride, I found myself deeply reflecting on myself. That day, I gained a profound realization: ‘This can’t go on.’ I resolved to completely change my attitude toward studying. The first thing I did was abandon the habit of ‘roughly’ studying. I started making my own study schedule and studying systematically. When I encountered something I didn’t understand while studying, I didn’t just skip over it; I persistently asked my teachers or friends questions until I fully grasped it. This naturally led me to focus on studying principles and fundamentals, and I also developed the habit of revisiting the overall flow to understand even a single unfamiliar concept. During breaks, I focused on strengthening fundamentals rather than just solving problems, putting extra effort into concept review and vocabulary memorization. This approach gradually showed results over time, and as my grades steadily improved, it gave me tremendous confidence.
This experience taught me not just improved grades, but a whole new way of studying itself. I personally realized the importance of meticulous study over superficial effort. I developed the habit of making plans and striving to stick to them, the discipline to rein in my own laziness, and above all, an attitude of sincere dedication to learning. Today, grounded in the mindset of “digging deep into anything I don’t know until I understand it,” I approach any study without fear, trusting myself and possessing the perseverance to see things through to the end. And I believe this transformation isn’t limited to academics alone; it will be a great asset in navigating life going forward.

Writing about major school activities and reflections

“Learning historical awareness through participation in the History Debate Club”
The reason I joined the History Debate Club was because I happened to see a club promotional video that left a deep impression on me. The video featured seniors reenacting customs from the Goryeo Dynasty, which was completely different from the stuffy, rigid world we often imagine of the past. The Goryeo depicted in the video seemed like an era far more free and vibrant than today. Those scenes felt fascinating and fun, and that’s how I naturally found myself knocking on the door of the History Debate Club.
Before joining, I didn’t even know the names of the Joseon kings properly, and modern history was a complete blank to me. That I could gradually change through club activities, despite having almost no knowledge or interest in history, was thanks to the seniors’ dedicated efforts. They prepared history-related papers meticulously every week, and through them, I began to learn historical facts one by one. At first, I worried, “Will there even be anything to discuss?” But the more I learned about history, the more topics I naturally wanted to debate. As we shared opinions centered on the kings’ political methods and events of each era, our discussions inevitably connected to the social issues we face today, leading to deep conversations. Through this process, I gradually began to learn what it means to have a ‘sense of history’.
I can now offer my own answer to the question, “Why should we learn about the past?” I realized the purpose of studying history isn’t merely to know historical facts, but to reflect on the present and prepare for the future. Of course, the past was an era with less developed technology and social systems than today. Yet, the people who lived through those times overcame difficulties in their own ways, and learning about that process holds great significance for us now. Moreover, to avoid repeating past mistakes, we must remember and reflect on those times. Especially the shameful history of Japanese colonial rule and the oppression under authoritarian regimes are things we must never forget. Through learning about those eras, discussing them, and grappling with them, I gained a fresh perspective on the present through the lens of the past. Furthermore, through discussions with diverse people, I could examine and develop my own opinions.
Above all, the most important attitude: the effort to understand
When I became a sophomore, I took on the role of club vice president. Inspired by the warm care and effort my seniors showed me, I wanted to be that kind of presence for the juniors. So I actively participated in creating papers, selecting discussion topics, and planning various events. Of course, it wasn’t as easy as I thought, and it often took a lot of time and was physically demanding. But I was happy to keep doing it. The eyes of my juniors, filled with a passion to learn, always gave me great motivation.
They happily read the papers we prepared and actively participated in every discussion. Seeing them go beyond mere participation to genuinely exchange opinions, and witnessing their sincere enjoyment of even our small events, gave me immense satisfaction. In those moments, I personally felt the immense power of ‘participation’ and the synergy that emerges when passion converges. Because everyone was actively engaged and passionate, I was able to learn and experience so much more during that time.
The history debate club activities meant more to me than just a ‘club activity’. Here, I not only built historical knowledge but also learned the joy of sharing thoughts and growing together with others. I also experienced that I myself could positively influence someone. The entire process remains a precious memory for me, and I am certain that no matter which path I walk in the future, this current experience will serve as a solid foundation.

Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections

“Learning is a shared endeavor.”
As I began to take an interest in history, I naturally developed a passion for learning itself. To truly understand history required constant inquiry and research, and the spirit of exploration cultivated during that process proved immensely helpful when studying other subjects. Of course, I am a science student whose major is different from history. While my historical knowledge rarely applies directly, the study habits and perseverance cultivated then laid the foundation for my ability to study consistently to this day.
Back then, I doggedly dug into everything from elementary school social studies textbooks to middle school basics to understand history more accurately. That habit naturally influenced my approach to other subjects too, leading me to revisit concepts from the most fundamental level whenever I encountered something unfamiliar. Therefore, my most precious ‘Treasure No. 1’ is my notebook. This notebook contained not only the concepts I struggled with but also the most fundamental theories, serving as my study weapon and secret notebook.
I didn’t keep this notebook just for myself; I made copies and shared them with friends who were struggling with their studies. Most of my classmates passed my notebook around to study together, and through this process, we felt it greatly helped each other. There was a reason I made this choice. I, too, had gone through a period where studying felt overwhelmingly daunting, and I didn’t know where to even begin. Most students who struggle with studying often don’t even know where they’re stuck. Having gone through that process myself, I understood that feeling better than anyone.
Fortunately, I realized relatively early on that I lacked ‘fundamental concepts.’ As I filled those gaps one by one, my confidence in studying began to grow. Based on that experience, I wanted to share this method with friends facing similar difficulties. Just as my seniors and friends in the history club once guided and supported me when I knew nothing, I too wanted to become someone who could help others.
Through this experience, I learned that studying is never a solitary battle. While focused, independent study is important, sometimes working together yields far greater strength. Simply having someone there to cheer you on when you’re tired, or to help find a way forward when you’re stuck, provides motivation and prevents you from giving up. That’s why, even now, if I see someone struggling with their studies, I’m eager to help. Moving forward, I want to remain someone who never forgets the importance of ‘studying together’ and ‘growing together’.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation and Career Plans

“I dream of growing into a global talent by broadly studying industry and management in the Industrial and Management Engineering Department.”
I chose the Industrial and Management Engineering Department because I aspired to grow into a talent equipped with integrated thinking that encompasses management, engineering, and ultimately the entire industrial landscape. I believe the future society will be an era where only those with more diverse capabilities can thrive. While the times have advanced rapidly and educational standards have risen, I questioned whether individuals focused solely on specific fields could still stand out. I firmly believe that people with complex understanding and critical thinking skills will possess greater competitiveness in future society than mere technicians handling machines or managers knowing only business.
Furthermore, while large corporations currently dominate the industrial structure, I predict that flexible, creative enterprises run by individuals or small teams will increasingly emerge and gain prominence. Amidst this shift, I aspire to become a promising talent capable of understanding and coordinating these three domains—industry, management, and engineering—by building a well-rounded knowledge base across all three fields through the Industrial and Management Engineering program. This is why I am applying to the Industrial and Management Engineering Department.
My career goal is to eventually establish my own company. Beyond merely understanding technology and creating products, I aspire to become a CEO who truly ‘plans and operates’ – someone equipped with business acumen and a broad perspective encompassing the entire enterprise. Rather than aiming for a large, flashy company, I want to build a small but strong company that embodies my convictions and secures a solid foothold in a specific market.
As the first step toward realizing this dream, I have decided to enroll in the Department of Industrial and Management Engineering at ○○ University. Alongside this decision, I have focused my preparation on two key abilities: ‘the ability to grasp’ and ‘the ability to delve deeply’. ‘The ability to grasp’ refers to the insight gained by constantly observing one’s surroundings, reflecting on the past, analyzing the present, and looking ahead to the future. I cultivated this ability through my history club activities and consistent exploratory learning. History is not merely a record of the past; it became a crucial foundation for reading the flow of time and understanding the direction of change, deepening my perspective on things.
And ‘the ability to dig deep’ is the area I can speak about with the most confidence. No one starts out knowing everything from the beginning. Ultimately, what makes the difference is how persistently one can delve into a subject and how consistently one strives to surpass their own limits. I, too, have cultivated an attitude of not hesitating when encountering new fields or concepts, but instead repeating and practicing until I understand them myself. I have internalized this attitude through diverse activities and believe it will be a significant asset in my future studies and career.
With this clear goal and consistent preparation as my foundation, I will grow into a convergent talent spanning industry, management, and engineering. My studies at the Department of Industrial and Management Engineering at ○○ University, which will be the starting point of this journey, will be both deeply meaningful and a crucial challenge for me. Moving forward, I will continue to learn, grasp, and delve relentlessly, turning my dreams into reality one step at a time.