A Wake-Up Call During Military Service
My journey of living with purpose began during my mandatory military service in Korea. While I was serving, my sister achieved a milestone & CV (Curriculum Vitae) that shook me to my core. She was accepted into the CS PhD program at UIUC. I couldnāt help but feel a pang of inadequacy. I hadnāt accomplished anything significant, and that realization hit me hard. The moment I was discharged, I knew I had to make up for lost time and dive into opportunities that would help me grow.
Diving into New Opportunities
I started my journey from March to December 2024, I took on a backend developer role at LikeLion Yonsei, an IT Entrepreneurship Society in Korea. During this time, I also participated in Google Machine Learning Bootcamp from June to October 2024. Later, in October and November 2024, I joined the U.S. Embassyās TechCamp in Korea, a program focused on AI ethics and real-world challenges. That experience broadened my perspective on the responsibilities tied to technology and its potential to create opportunities for those in need. These steps led me to a major milestone: my acceptance into the MIT xPro Blended Learning program, a moment Iām deeply proud of. Now, as of May 2025, Iām an ROK Scholar at the 2025 YTL Regional Workshop Series, hosted by the U.S. Embassy, where Iām learning and collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including participants from Korea, the U.S., Japan, and beyond.
Balancing Passions as a Generalist
What makes my journey unique is that I never let go of my creative passions, even while pursuing these demanding roles. Iām a krump dancer, a photographer, and a singer-songwriter, and Iāve poured my heart into these hobbies throughout this busy period. Whether I was dancing to release stress, capturing moments through my camera, or writing songs to express my emotions, these outlets kept me grounded. Balancing professional growth with my creative pursuits wasnāt easy. There were countless late nights and moments of exhaustion, but I thrived on the variety. Iāve always been a generalist at heart. Unlike the specialists I often met, such as professors, researchers, or lab interns, who dedicate themselves to one field, I find joy in weaving together multiple skills and passions in parallel. For me, growth isnāt about mastering one thing, but about building a tapestry of experiences that make me a more well-rounded person.
A Vision to Empower All Youth
My vision is to create a platform, whether through mentorship, workshops, or a community initiative, that connects youth from all over the world with opportunities they might not otherwise encounter. I want to share what Iāve learned, from technical skills like coding and AI to the importance of creativity and resilience. I want to inspire them to take risks, to pursue their passions, and to see failure not as an endpoint but as a steppingstone. For example, Iād love to organize workshops where young people can learn about emerging fields like AI ethics, collaborate on projects with international peers, and build the confidence to chase their dreams. I also hope to leverage my creative passions, perhaps using music or dance to engage youth in a more holistic way, showing them that growth isnāt just about academics or career success, but about nurturing the whole self.
Building a Future of Exploration
I envision a future where youth around the globe feel empowered to explore beyond the paths theyāre given. I want to be a bridge, connecting them to global opportunities, whether thatās through technology, creative expression, or cross-cultural collaboration. My dream is to build a community where they can experiment, fail, and grow without fear, a space where they can discover their own unique journeys, just as I did. I believe that by empowering youth to explore new horizons, we can build a future where they not only succeed in their given paths but also create new ones, for themselves and for the generations to come.
Reflecting on a Journey of Purpose
Looking back, Iām grateful for the moment my sisterās achievement sparked a fire in me. It pushed me to live with purpose, to embrace every opportunity, and to carve out a path thatās uniquely mine. Now, I want to help others do the same. Through my work, my passions, and my vision, I hope to inspire the next generation of youth to dream bigger, take risks, and live with purpose.