In this blog post, we will introduce how environmental engineering majors can write application essays that naturally incorporate their strengths. Learn how to effectively highlight your major knowledge and experience.
Strengths and weaknesses
“I am an outgoing person and am well-suited for collaboration.”
I met many different people while attending university. What I realized was that many people have their own unique characteristics and that no two people are alike. That is why I really enjoy communicating with people, finding out how we are different and how we are similar. This made me think about the two types of personalities that divide people: extroverts and introverts. I thought that the reason for dividing people into these two types was to determine whether they would be able to collaborate and integrate into society more easily. I am very grateful that I am an extrovert. What I like most is meeting people, and what I like even more is meeting people for the first time. I also like studying on my own, but on the other hand, I really enjoy creating something together through collaboration. That’s why I was a team player, and when conflicts arose between people, I took care of my friends as a team leader who knew how to manage them well. When I graduated from college, I became the student council president representing my department and led the school.
The downside of my personality is that once I start working, I become so absorbed in my work that I lose sight of my surroundings. Perhaps it is because I am still young, but I have so many things I want to do, and I am the type of person who will do whatever it takes to achieve them. However, it is always important to be aware of your surroundings when working, so I will try not to forget that.
Activities inside and outside of school
“My first stage, which taught me how to overcome limitations and take on challenges”
I am good at smiling in front of people and singing, but strangely, I felt terrified when I was on stage. Even though I was good at giving presentations and speaking in front of people, I would start shaking when I held a microphone, and I couldn’t speak at all when I was on stage. I thought this was a very bad trait, especially as a young man living in South Korea, and that it was limiting myself. So, I joined an acoustic band club without thinking twice. I remember the first time I played and sang in front of people. I went to Hongdae on a whim, went behind a playground, and sang alone with my instrument among countless other artists. My friends came to cheer me on, but I was the only one on stage. At that moment, I felt very lost, and I was about to be overcome by fear again, but I instinctively knew that if I overcame it, it would be easier next time, so I just started singing. Then, one or two people started singing along and applauding, and their encouragement gave me the courage to finish the performance. After that, I became so enthusiastic that I couldn’t sing because there were no stages, and I gained confidence in making PowerPoint presentations and giving presentations at school.
Major and achievements
“The beautiful air of Seorak Mountain made me choose environmental engineering.”
I have my grandmother to thank for choosing my major. She lived in the city and eventually became ill due to stress and worries. All the doctors gave up on her and said that she should live near a nice mountain to recuperate. We were in despair, but it happened to be near Seorak Mountain, where my grandmother had originally lived, so we decided to move there and build a new home for her, and my aunt moved in with us. When we visited her the following winter, we saw something amazing. My grandmother, who had been unable to sit up, was walking and smiling. She said that it was all thanks to the air and that clean air was very important. Of course, I don’t know if it was true, but I felt deeply that clean air is good for the human body, and from that moment on, I decided to become an environmental engineer and work to clean the air. That is why I chose my major and studied it. I studied the basics of reaction engineering, which is the foundation of courses in water quality, air, waste, and soil, environmental system engineering, which constitutes physical and chemical environmental pollution control systems, basic atmospheric diffusion theory, which classifies air pollutants generated by automobiles and industrial plants into particulate and gaseous pollutants and teaches the main principles of control technology, I also took various other environment-related engineering classes, such as general waste treatment, where I learned about the characteristics of waste generated in cities and waste from various sources, and learned analysis methods through hands-on experience in the field, as well as water supply and sewage planning and design, and environmental and ecological civil engineering. It was difficult at first, but by the time I graduated from university, I was recognized for my hard work and graduated second in my class.
Reason for applying
“With the support of ○○, I will create a better country to live in.”
○○ Construction is currently the number one company in the fields of architecture, civil engineering, environment, and plant engineering. Being number one means that it has built the most efficiently and in the largest volume, and it is also the company that is most trusted by the public. I always wanted to join XX while studying environmental engineering. This is because XX aims to build in a more ethical and cleaner manner, and it is a company that continues to deeply consider the importance of environmental projects compared to other companies. Therefore, I joined ○○ Construction, a reliable company that focuses on both the environment and industry without neglecting either, and I have a dream of reducing greenhouse gas and waste emissions in line with ○○ Construction’s vision and making ○○ a cleaner and more beautiful company. I would like to join your company. Thank you very much.
Creative problem-solving experience
“A shift in thinking leads to new revenue.”
One experience was during a class, and the other was while working part-time. I once took a class with the most demanding professor in my environmental studies department. He always said that we were children who only knew how to sit in our seats and look at books, and that we didn’t know how to work hard. He often used harsh language and scolded students who sat quietly. He was especially critical when it came to presentations. As the class president at the time, I wanted to give a presentation that wouldn’t disappoint him. So, I worked hard to follow the teacher around. Even when he cursed at me and showed his dislike, I asked him constantly about what I felt while preparing for the presentation and what I didn’t understand. When he gave me hints, I went to the National Assembly Library to find answers, and I even went on field trips to areas that were heavily polluted and areas that had been cleaned up. After following him around for a month and giving my presentation, my teacher smiled at me for the first time in my life. At that moment, I realized that one must live actively and ask questions.
Also, while working part-time, the bakery where I worked was doing very poorly and had to be sold. The owner had almost given up, and he was struggling because a brand-name bakery was opening nearby. However, I thought that giving up would ruin my life’s work, so I actively came up with ideas, such as using social media and planning events. I discouraged the owner from lowering the price of the bread and insisted that we compete on quality and taste instead. As a result, the bakery not only regained its original income, but also became a popular bakery in Sinchon. Through that experience, I realized that anything can be solved by taking action.
