In this blog post, I will introduce myself by reflecting on my personality and attitude toward life based on the characteristics of mechanical engineering, such as its simplicity, experiential nature, and interconnectedness.
In this article, I will introduce myself through my major. In the main body, I will reveal my characteristics by comparing them with the characteristics of my major. In addition, I will explain them in a way that is easy to understand for non-majors by using examples from real life that anyone can relate to. Finally, in the conclusion, I will summarize my characteristics mentioned in the main body and explain what kind of person I am.
I major in mechanical engineering. Machines are tools that do work in place of humans. When most people hear the word “machine,” they imagine a dull factory where machines operate 24 hours a day. Why did I choose such a difficult, challenging, and dangerous major?
I became interested in machines because mechanical engineering and I have a lot in common.
First, machines are very simple. Of course, there are complex machines, but what I mean is that machines move according to very simple rules. Newton’s laws of motion are laws that govern not only all machines but also all things. These laws consist of only three principles. You may wonder why I majored in mechanical engineering rather than physics. However, in order to approach machines, it is necessary to simplify things. You probably rode a bicycle when you were a child. Bicycles have a shock absorber called a suspension (commonly known as a “shock absorber”). This suspension is also an important factor in determining the ride quality of automobiles. If you try to calculate how much a car will shake when it passes over a speed bump, it will not be easy if you try to interpret the car as it is. However, if we simplify the situation and think of the car as a wooden box and the suspension as a combination of springs and dampers (syringes filled with liquid that resist movement), we can obtain a rough but realistic value. I completely agree with the phrase “simple is best.” I find answers to the various problems I encounter in life by simplifying complex issues through my way of thinking. Sometimes, in order to grasp the big picture, I take my eyes off the trees and look at the forest, and in order to untangle intertwined events, I think of each event independently, even if they appear to be very complicated on the surface but ultimately do not affect each other. This way of thinking is a powerful weapon that helps me navigate difficult problems and complex situations.
Next, machines are experiential. I am a very proactive person. Whether it’s watching sports or reading a book, I have to experience it myself to feel satisfied. Machines can be seen, touched, and moved. They are not something that is hundreds of millions of light years away or invisible bacteria. Machines such as cars and scooters can be seen everywhere and can be ridden. And you can directly feel how their performance changes depending on how they are tuned. Machines are close to us, and most of them can be controlled by us.
Next, machines are interconnected. Machines consist of numerous parts that are connected to each other to perform a single movement. The easiest example is a clock. There are many gears and hundreds of parts inside a clock. However, each of these gears rotates and moves the hour, minute, and second hands to show the time. The parts of the machine each have different roles, but ultimately they create a single movement. Their different roles create harmony and a single flow. This is not only a characteristic of machines, but also matches the direction I want to take in life. I like it when people with different colors come together in harmony to make one voice. That is why when working as a team, I aim to respect each individual’s characteristics, utilize their strengths, and complement each other’s weaknesses. This is my strength when working as a team.
Finally, machines are easy to apply. Machines are used in many fields. Their range of applications is very wide and flexible, including cooking appliances, medical equipment, and audio devices. I am very interested in collaborating with other majors, such as art and music, on projects. In fact, last semester, I worked on a project with the medical school to create a radiation therapy assistant device. Rather than focusing solely on machines, I want to broaden my horizons to other fields to discover new needs and the wide range of applications for machines. These are the driving forces that attracted me to my major and allowed me to dive in deeply.
So far, I have revealed myself through the characteristics of machines. In summary, I am a person with a concise way of thinking. When faced with a problem, I simplify it, look at the overall flow, and find a solution. I also have a proactive and positive personality. Because I am proactive, I actively take advantage of every opportunity to gain experience. When working, I prefer to work as part of a team and value harmony. I know that everyone has their own unique qualities, and when we work together, we can complement each other’s weaknesses and make the most of our strengths, so I enjoy working in a team. Finally, I am interested in many different fields, so I find it interesting to combine different fields.
This is how I wrote about myself based on my major. I was very surprised that the content was so different from how I expressed myself when I was a child or when I wrote about my relationships with others. I think this exercise was effective in helping me discover my characteristics. I will work on developing these characteristics into strengths.
