Hi, my name is David Kim, and I am a marketing major at The University of Texas at Dallas. Growing up, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Korea, Poland, and Spain; I have grown to appreciate both the ups and downs of the experiences. During my time abroad, I was given the privilege to learn not only about different cultures but also about the influence of each culture on societal interactions. I plan to use what I learned from my diverse background to pursue a career in marketing. Though studying abroad provided me with a new perspective, my father was a big reason for my interest in marketing. Growing up, I often tagged along with my dad when he went to work. Watching him work for KIA motors as a marketing team manager inspired me to follow in his footsteps to progress into marketing and business as a career. Through my dad’s passion, I realized the universal truth of life– there is no happier man than one who enjoys his job. From that point forward, I found the passion for pursuing my marketing interests and following my father. My father has always served as my role model, and I would never be able to thank him enough for everything he has done– including introducing me to my future career. After my second year abroad in Europe, I relocated to Texas entirely by myself. At that point, it was up to me to discover just how much responsibility comes with being in charge of my daily activities and academic performance. Despite its challenges, my father did an excellent job preparing me for this life-changing event. Through the lessons of overcoming hardship and standing independently, my dad has helped me learn countless invaluable lessons.In addition to my studies, I have always strived to learn by gaining first-hand knowledge. I became a member of a marketing club on campus to directly work with the subject– in a way that was more in-depth than a class could ever be. Collaborating with others to achieve overall goals gives each student motivation by a common objective; as a freshman in college, engaging with other students is crucial to our professional and educational development as future employees. Through my father’s job, studying abroad, and participation in clubs, I have been given numerous opportunities to truly connect with marketing. The more I engage with it, the more satisfied I feel knowing that this is my future career.