How did my high school experiences and volunteer work influence my career path?

In this blog post, I’ll outline my academic plans and career aspirations for college based on my academic experiences and school activities during high school, as well as examples of how I practiced generosity and collaboration.

 

Academic Experiences and Reflections

My most important study principle was “setting a plan that fits my situation and sticking to it consistently.” While this might seem obvious or easy to some, it was a challenging process for me. The first thing I set aside when making a plan was ambition. Even when those around me were aiming for high scores by tackling difficult problems, I recognized that my level required a greater focus on the basics and decided I needed to go back to the fundamentals.
In my third year of middle school, I went through a period where I neglected my schoolwork because I was so interested in art, so my foundational skills were quite lacking. So, in high school, I created a weekly study plan focused on building those fundamentals. I established a routine centered on memorization and solving basic problems, and I made a concerted effort to stick to that plan consistently.
Sticking to the plan wasn’t easy. Even on days when I was sick or feeling exhausted, I tried not to stop studying as much as possible, and above all, I learned the importance of setting realistic goals that matched my abilities and circumstances. Through this repeated cycle of planning and execution, I was able to improve my grades solely through class participation, preparation, review, and independent study—without relying on private tutoring.
As time went on, I became more accustomed to studying; whereas I used to solve only 10 practice problems per passage at first, I now tackle 30. I feel a sense of accomplishment in having truly mastered this study method, and I will continue to set plans suited to my circumstances and consistently put them into practice.

 

Description of Major School Activities and Reflections

The activity I found most meaningful and participated in consistently was volunteering with elderly people living alone. Growing up in a rural area, I spent time with my grandparents and learned wisdom from them, which naturally led me to want to help the elderly. When I began volunteering, I faced a reality that differed from my expectations, and those experiences taught me a great deal.
In reality, the lives of elderly people living alone were far more difficult than I had heard. For those with limited mobility, living alone placed a significant physical and emotional burden on them. Witnessing this reality, I decided to increase the frequency of my visits from once every two weeks to once a week, committing to visit and assist them every week.
The key insight I gained through this volunteer work was the “beauty of sharing” and its mutual nature. Seeing the consistent dedication of my fellow volunteers, I truly realized what a great act of kindness it is to share what one has with others. I was also deeply moved by the fact that sharing is not a one-way street. I was profoundly touched when the seniors we went to help treated us to meals they had prepared with great care and tried to give us small items they had saved or a little of their own pocket money.
Based on that experience, I expanded the scope of my volunteer work. I participated in various forms of volunteer work, including activities for children with special needs at school, volunteer work building houses in rural areas, and bazaars at senior welfare centers. I wanted to be someone who consistently offers help, no matter how small, and this mindset was the catalyst that led me to choose a career path in the Department of Health Management.

 

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

One of the greatest lessons I learned through volunteer work is that “sharing actually gives me strength.” My friends worried that volunteering would leave me exhausted or cut into my study time, but I often found myself gaining even more strength after volunteering. The heartfelt encouragement from the elderly, the sense of solidarity among fellow volunteers, and small gestures like holding someone’s hand were all sources of energy that came back to me.
I made an effort to put those experiences into practice in my daily school life. For example, I consistently performed small acts such as being the first to raise my hand when selecting a class monitor, taking the initiative to empty a full trash can even if I was sitting in the back row, and approaching a friend who looked like they were struggling to offer help. I extended a helping hand even to classmates I wasn’t close with, and when urgent matters arose, I took the lead and shouldered responsibility.
Of course, at first, some friends misunderstood my actions or accused me of “pretending to be nice.”

However, as time went on, people began to recognize my sincerity, and I even received gratitude and support from them. Through these experiences, I learned that sharing and consideration are ultimately a two-way street, and that acting sincerely builds relationships and trust.

 

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

Once I enter college, I want to become a well-rounded individual with diverse skills, rather than someone who specializes in just one field. What I realized through my volunteer work is that to serve effectively, one needs a broad range of competencies—not just medical knowledge, but also practical skills related to language, food, and daily life. Therefore, while building expertise in my major, Health Management, I intend to explore various academic disciplines to develop a well-rounded skill set.
Specifically, I plan to refine my thinking and mindset through a minor in the humanities, while honing my professional knowledge and practical skills in my major. I believe the humanities will help me develop the ability to understand and empathize with others. I also believe that language skills are essential for communicating with diverse people in the healthcare field.
Therefore, I have set a goal to learn one foreign language each year, starting from my freshman year. Beginning with English, I plan to learn Chinese, Japanese, German, and other languages in sequence to acquire the ability to communicate smoothly with people from diverse backgrounds. Through these preparations, I aim to grow into a well-rounded professional equipped with both specialized knowledge and communication skills.
My ultimate goal is to work for an international organization such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and contribute to helping “everyone achieve the highest possible level of health.” To this end, I will build a well-rounded foundation of major-specific knowledge, humanities education, and language skills to become a professional who can immediately apply this expertise in the field.

 

About the author

Tra My

I’m a pretty simple person, but I love savoring life’s little pleasures. I enjoy taking care of myself so I can always feel confident and look my best in my own way. I’m passionate about traveling, exploring new places, and capturing memorable moments. And of course, I can’t resist delicious food—eating is a serious pleasure of mine.