In this blog post, we’ll outline the key points and writing tips for crafting your cover letter when applying to a translation agency.
My Growth Process
During my childhood, my mother, who had a particular interest in early education, meticulously managed my every move. All play and interests deemed ‘unrelated to studying’ were strictly forbidden. This included not only games and comic books but also novels, dismissed as ‘offering no benefit to studying’. Because of this, whenever I visited friends’ houses or the library, I would secretly devour novels. Though I would lose myself in the joy of reading, a wave of regret would inevitably wash over me on the way home. Even as a child, I understood the reasons behind my mother’s strict guidance, but the daily restrictions were simply too much to bear, and a sense of suffocation always lingered in the back of my mind. My mother wanted me to devote even my simple leisure time to activities that would aid my brain development. In other words, back then, I lived a life where even my rest had to be productive.
In that environment, the only pleasure I was allowed was reading English books in their original language. The reason I could read novels in their original language, even when translations were forbidden, was thanks to the advice of an acquaintance: ‘It’s more effective to become naturally familiar with English through easy, fun English novels than through difficult, dry English textbooks.’ My mother was persuaded by this argument, and I was finally able to read English books freely within my ‘permitted pleasure’. The English novels, the only ‘books I could read for pleasure’ on my bookshelf, were truly an oasis for me. I devoured them, simultaneously growing my English skills and my interest in the language.
Over time, this effort led to noticeable results, and my mother was also very satisfied with my improvement. My vocabulary grew much faster than when I studied rigidly according to a plan, and my confidence in English grew alongside it. Gradually, I learned the ropes and persuaded my mother to allow me to watch movies and dramas in English too. Though permitted under the guise of learning, these held meaning beyond mere study for me. They let me gain both enjoyment and skill within a natural language environment.
This experience of finding joy in my own way within a restricted environment and drawing learning from it continues to profoundly influence my growth to this day. I believe that small pleasures born out of suppression ultimately became my greatest asset and, in fact, made me stronger.
School Days
As my mother wished, I devoted myself to studying from a young age and achieved a certain level of success. However, as time passed, my aptitudes and interests gradually became clearer, and their direction differed somewhat from my mother’s expectations. She hoped I would leverage my language skills to become a new employee at a large corporation, active overseas. Yet, my heart was increasingly captivated by the work of translating foreign languages into Korean, deeply understanding the context and culture of those languages, and unraveling their meanings. Though both my mother’s expectations and my desired path were directed toward the common stage of ‘foreign lands,’ their essential natures differed. This caused me inner conflict, and I felt fear about how to express my true intentions.
Stepping away from the strong influence of my mother, who had personally managed and guided the direction of my entire education and life since birth, required considerable courage to confidently articulate and pursue the path I had chosen for myself. I gradually realized I needed to carefully step out from under my mother’s wing and proactively forge my own path. I began more actively exploring the study abroad information she had been gathering. By the time my high school years brought concrete preparations for studying abroad, I had already firmly set my mind on translation and literature. However, I didn’t immediately share this with my mother. I had learned the hard way since middle school that revealing my intentions prematurely, before I was fully prepared, could lead to failure.
I actively leveraged the linguistic talent that had begun to show in middle school, consulting repeatedly with teachers who wanted to help me. I also gradually persuaded my father, who had stepped back and left all decisions about my education to my mother. In this way, I gradually built my confidence in my career path in my own way. After much deliberation and effort, I was finally able to embark on my journey abroad. Looking back now, that entire journey seems to have held meaning beyond a simple career choice. It was the first step toward taking charge of my own life and a time of courage to find my voice.
Strengths and Weaknesses of My Personality
When I develop an interest in something and feel the will to pursue it, I have a strong tendency to want to prove my own abilities and potential related to it. I don’t just seek confirmation within myself; I also strive to gain recognition for that potential from those around me. While this is often called a ‘my way’ style, I don’t believe it’s right to completely sever ties with others and stubbornly insist on walking solely my own path. I am always mindful that a certain degree of understanding and empathy is essential in a life lived alongside others.
This aspect of my personality is deeply connected to the process of deciding to study abroad and ultimately completing my studies overseas. My relationship with my mother, in particular, formed a crucial axis in my career choices and growth process. My mother possessed both deep affection for me and a strong will, meticulously planning and preparing for my future from my childhood. To meet her expectations and intentions, I too had to demonstrate preparation and sincerity equal to hers. Throughout this process, I constantly strived to prove my choices, and it is the accumulation of these efforts that has shaped who I am today.
People around me often advised, “Live your own life; don’t be bound by others’ expectations.” While that advice isn’t wrong, for me, my mother wasn’t just another person in my circle; she was someone who had shown me immense care and affection over a long period. Therefore, I wanted to persuade her to the best of my ability, within reasonable limits, until she could understand and accept my path. That was the responsible approach I chose. Ultimately, the capabilities and results I demonstrated by graduating from an overseas university played a crucial role in earning my mother’s trust. Thanks to that, our family relationship became even more harmonious and stable.
In the end, my character stems from a drive to prove myself, balanced by a sense of harmony with those around me. While the process can sometimes feel arduous and complex, I believe this aspect of myself is both a strength and the driving force behind my growth.
Life Motto
Hold unwavering resolve toward your desired goals.
I grew up under my mother’s strict control from childhood. At times, I felt I could never escape that influence and believed I would simply follow the life path she had designed for me. But at a certain moment, a longing for the career I truly desired began to change my perspective. From then on, I consistently worked to uphold my own choices, and eventually, I was able to steer the rudder of my life in the direction I desired.
Of course, the journey wasn’t smooth. Setting out alone to find my path without my mother’s help was daunting enough, but what was even harder was that proving that path wasn’t wrong required a great deal of time and effort. Yet, I never gave up. Because deep within me, my belief in myself and my conviction about the path I wanted to take were firmly rooted.
As a result, I was finally able to clearly set the direction of my life and even succeeded in persuading my mother, who initially disapproved of my choice. This allowed me to lay the groundwork for preparing for my professional life, and it was by no means an easy achievement. Had I given up along the way or doubted my potential, this would never have been possible.
I have no regrets about any of my efforts or choices thus far, and I will continue to forge my own path with unwavering resolve, just as I have done until now. Trust in myself and an attitude of never giving up are the most important life principles I wish to uphold.
Reasons for Applying and Future Aspirations
As a child, my mother recommended reading original novels for educational purposes. Becoming completely absorbed in them became a pivotal turning point in determining my career path. The excitement and immersion I felt with every turn of the page transcended a simple hobby, leading to a deep interest in language and content. This naturally evolved into the goal I now hold for the company I wish to work for. That goal was, in a way, simple. ‘I want to work at the publishing house that holds the most books I genuinely want to read.’ This wasn’t merely an extension of my interest; it stemmed from the conviction that combining my passion with practical work would lead to more proactive and efficient performance.
Therefore, rather than evaluating companies solely based on their size or performance, I have prioritized exploring companies by considering the nature of their published books and their criteria for selecting translations—specifically, whether ‘their sense of selecting and introducing books aligns with my taste.’ In doing so, I came across your company’s list of translated works and felt an astonishing resonance with the direction I have pursued as both a reader and a translator. It wasn’t merely about having published many good books; your company’s clear perspective and taste on what books should be introduced and why came through vividly. I found this deeply appealing and developed a strong desire to work with you.
While working on various translation projects has given me ample opportunity to build my own expertise, I am determined not to become entrenched in my freelance methods. Instead, I am fully prepared to understand and embrace the values and editorial principles your company upholds, striving for the most harmonious and organic collaboration possible. While working as a freelancer allowed me relative independence and freedom in my approach, I am fully aware that as part of an organization, it is now essential to consider the overall flow and adopt an attitude of moving forward together toward a shared goal. Having learned through repeated collaborations that a book can never be completed by one person alone, I will faithfully fulfill my role as a member of your company and strive to be a diligent contributor who does not disrupt the team’s unity.
Working alongside your company, I aim to further solidify my capabilities and contribute to introducing the world’s content to readers through more precise and compelling language. My greatest aspiration is to become a talent who grows by not only executing assigned tasks but also actively contemplating the company’s identity and direction.
