Cover Letter
[Self-Introduction: Striving for Constant Improvement]
The Korean proverb "Jagangbulsik" (meaning "Never stop learning and improving") has been my motto. Despite facing difficulties due to an accident during high school that made it challenging even to hold a pencil, I firmly embraced the belief that overcoming physical obstacles would remove any fear of future challenges. I consider every moment as an opportunity to learn and continually strive to achieve my goals. This mindset has become the driving force and resilience in my life. While interning abroad, I encountered numerous challenges, but I remained steadfast in my commitment to put in genuine effort toward completing the tasks with the mindset of constant self-improvement.
[Strength: A Developer Capable of Successfully Planning and Leading Projects Under Realistic Constraints]
As a recipient of the top award at a technology development competition with a great idea, I decided to pursue entrepreneurship. However, as the exam period approached, my team members faced difficult circumstances. The project's development incurred expenses for OCR and cloud services that exceeded our budget, and we had to implement customer feedback improvements within a tight timeframe. Finding solutions and addressing both development and practical requirements demanded alternative approaches. I believe that when solutions are not evident, a comprehensive analysis of the situation is necessary. I visualized the timeline, organized team goals and schedules, and collected feedback to respect each team member's input. As a result, we recognized the need for study spaces and funding for development costs within the given timeframe. By separating operational and opportunity costs, we presented detailed architectural and functional designs as a refined business plan. Additionally, through an Investor Relations (IR) event, we secured a study room for team members and the required investment funds. As mutual understanding increased during the development process, we achieved a faster pace of development compared to the invested time. Through this experience, I will continue to put effort into successfully completing projects to enhance their value.
[Dream: Becoming an Individual Who Proposes Value]
Since a young age, I have wanted to be someone who proposes and recognizes value. The capability of "proposing value" is not a short-term goal but a result of long-term dedication and effort. To achieve this, I majored in computer science and sought a deep understanding of the essence of problem-solving while working on projects. As a result, I received awards such as the Excellent Paper Award from the Korea Computer Education Society Innovation Contest, the Excellence Award from the Hanium Project, and the Excellence Award from the Department of Computer Science for the "QR Code-Based Inspection Infrastructure System." I believe that my continuous effort to understand and approach the core of development and to grasp the overall technological landscape will be beneficial.
[Communication/Collaboration: Leading Collaboration]
Participating in the Hanium Program, a team-based project organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT, I successfully led collaboration by addressing two main issues. Firstly, we faced difficulties in selecting a project topic due to divergent team members' interests and backgrounds. To resolve this, I focused on fostering creativity, which is the essence of the Hanium Program. By encouraging an open atmosphere where team members could freely express their opinions and offer constructive feedback, we could discuss even minor issues together. Secondly, communication was challenging as team members lived far apart, requiring frequent face-to-face meetings for development. To tackle this, we concretely planned the project in advance. Using a scrum approach, we defined and assigned specific development tasks and requirements. Each member was responsible for their expertise, and we shared developed features, managed versions, and provided feedback. As a result, despite the one-year project period and limited in-person meetings, we successfully completed the project within the given timeframe and received awards, including the Excellent Paper Award from the Korean Society for Information Processing, the Hanium Award, and the Department of Computer Science's Excellence Award. Through an internship program, I learned to overcome language barriers and continuously made efforts to maintain essential communication during the project. As a developer, understanding and expressing the efficiency and safety of projects are crucial, and I will strive to achieve better results through effective communication with designers and planners.
[Social Humanitarian Engagement: Embracing the Future in a Right, Different, Fast, and Enjoyable Manner]
I participated in the Seoul Run Mentoring program for over a year, providing guidance to underprivileged youth. I aimed to lead their futures "rightly," respecting each individual's uniqueness, and help them stand up "fast" in adversity to create the foundation for a "different" and enjoyable life. Some of my students were in severely challenging environments that even the Seoul City administration closely monitored. Guiding them through the college entrance exam preparation was a daunting task. During this period, I recalled a passage from the book "Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative" by Sir Ken Robinson, which emphasized the significance of fostering resilience. I realized that nurturing resilience, a sense of self-worth, and self-respect in children is crucial in overcoming adversity. As my students faced critical moments, I held their hands and together we worked on overcoming difficulties. I also experienced personal growth as a human being during this time.
