In this blog post, I’ll summarize my journey toward a career in finance, focusing on my academic experiences, school activities, and examples of compassion, generosity, and collaboration during high school.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

Learning through definitions, history, philosophical aspects, and real-world applications.
I was often told that I had a talent for math, and I actually enjoyed the subject and generally performed well in it. When solving practice exams or past College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) questions, I felt confident enough to find even two math problems of moderate difficulty manageable; however, I struggled the most with differential equations, which fall under engineering mathematics. Therefore, I decided to study them step-by-step—covering definitions, history, philosophical background, and real-world applications—to overcome the complexity of the subject and gain a fundamental understanding.
First, I tried to clearly define differential equations. I focused on understanding them as tools for mathematically describing phenomena that change over time. I came to view differentiation not merely as a computational technique, but as a core concept for mathematically addressing phenomena in the universe—that is, changes that are difficult to predict. This perspective helped me appreciate more clearly the importance of differential equations in modern science and mathematics.
I also reflected on the philosophical aspects of the differential. It struck me that the differential is not an absolute truth bestowed by the heavens, but rather a tool created by people to explain governing laws, such as those in mechanics. Once I understood how differential equations emerged as a tool in the process of expressing motion or changing phenomena, the concept itself became more approachable.
I also tried to connect the concepts through real-world applications. For example, I focused on the fact that the core of differential equations lies not in simply viewing a company’s sales curve as “rising,” but in predicting—through the curve’s slope and rate of change—the possibility that it might eventually slow down or approach zero. By practicing this way to bridge theory and reality, I developed the habit of recalling the fundamental meaning of a problem and finding clues to its solution.
As a result, I was able to overcome differential equations by adopting a learning approach that focused on understanding the concepts from the ground up rather than mere memorization, and I became able to devise clearer strategies for problem-solving based on this fundamental understanding. In particular, realizing that the concept of differentiation applies to changes in interest rates, stock prices, and exchange rates in the financial sector further strengthened the meaning and motivation behind my studies.

Major Extracurricular Activities and Reflections

Simulated Stock Investment Club, Systematic Study Groups
Upon entering high school, I decided to pursue a career in finance and joined the simulated stock investment club to gain practical knowledge of stock trading and financial products. Our school had a very active stock investment club, and with the school’s support, it was a great help in preparing for my future career. Club activities focused on understanding real-world financial phenomena and practicing investment strategies.
The core activity of the club was structured study sessions. To stay abreast of the latest economic trends, we selected and read business newspapers; after summarizing the content individually, we gathered in teams to analyze and discuss the articles and corporate trends. We clipped and saved important articles, using them as a basis to practice corporate analysis and investment decision-making. Staying informed with the latest information was the most fundamental and crucial preparation before beginning our simulated investments.
When we felt that study sessions alone were insufficient, we organized special lectures by experts. We invited actual stock investment experts or stockbrokers to give lectures, and these sessions typically ran in three-week cycles. The first week consisted of learning basic theory through materials; the second week featured simulated investing and demonstrations of purchasing securities; and the third week involved team-based simulated investment practice and individual guidance, resulting in highly effective, hands-on training.
To cover the costs of these special lectures, in addition to our grant funds, club members pooled small contributions to pay the instructors’ fees. This cost-sharing demonstrated just how committed everyone was to learning, and I, too, sought to make the most of the opportunity by documenting my analysis, purchase, and review processes during the simulated trading sessions to receive feedback. As we gained practical experience, the financial trends I had previously encountered in the news began to take on a much more three-dimensional perspective.
After conducting our simulated investments, we shared information and strategies through discussions and presentations. By systematically preparing and presenting our individual analysis materials and investment strategies, we were able to learn from each other’s perspectives and improve our investment skills. This preparation also led to an opportunity to compete in a simulated investment competition as a team, where I realized firsthand that analytical accuracy, presentation skills, and collaboration were all crucial for success.

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

Let’s Ensure Transparency in Financial Transactions Ourselves
During my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to visit financial institutions as part of my club activities. My visit to a public institution like the Financial Information Analysis Center left a particularly deep impression on me, and such visits had a major influence on my career decision. Through the explanations provided by agency officials, I gained a concrete understanding of how financial institutions operate in compliance with laws and regulations, such as those regarding anti-money laundering and the prevention of terrorist financing.
The Financial Intelligence Unit staff explained in detail the process of collecting and analyzing suspicious transaction data and reporting it to law enforcement agencies, as well as the significance of this work. Through this, I came to understand that the Financial Intelligence Unit is not merely a data-processing organization, but an institution that contributes to the advancement of South Korea’s financial sector and enhances the country’s international credibility. The training session that followed the tour included not only lectures but also hands-on activities where we took on specific roles.
Participants were divided into teams and assumed various roles—such as members of money laundering organizations, terrorist financing organizations, financial intelligence analysts, and law enforcement agencies—to conduct a simulation. I played the role of a law enforcement officer, identifying violations related to money laundering and pointing out issues. Through this role-playing simulation, I was able to practically learn how to manage conflicts and mitigate problems by actually experiencing the conflicts and vulnerabilities between different organizations.
Through this experience, I realized that maintaining transparency in financial transactions is not merely a matter of following regulations, but a crucial activity for safeguarding social trust. I also deeply appreciated the importance of understanding each other’s perspectives, communicating effectively, and collaborating while fulfilling our respective roles.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

Career Plans in the Financial Sector and the Preparation Process
While in high school, I clearly defined my career path in the financial sector and prepared for it by integrating my academic studies with school activities. Believing that a strong foundation in mathematics is essential for understanding financial models, I worked to thoroughly solidify my grasp of calculus and differential equations, and I enhanced my understanding by linking theoretical concepts to real-world examples. This academic preparation laid the foundation for my ability to interpret financial data and assess the pace of change.
At school, I participated in a mock stock investment club, where I gained practical experience through analyzing economic news articles, attending lectures by experts, conducting mock investment exercises, giving team presentations, and competing in contests. Additionally, through club activities such as visits to financial institutions and simulation training, I was able to directly observe the specific tasks and social roles involved in financial information analysis. All of these experiences have greatly helped me solidify my career aspirations and develop practical skills.
Moving forward, I plan to deepen my studies in finance-related majors by building on the foundational academic skills I’ve acquired and the practical experience gained through club activities, while expanding my real-world capabilities through field internships and expert mentoring. By building on the learning methods and collaborative experiences I developed in high school, I aim to grow into a competent professional in the financial sector who possesses both wisdom and a sense of responsibility.