Reporter: Haebin Kim
On February 22nd of 2025, a career day was hosted with the help of six engineers at Bridge International Christian Academy (BICA, www.bica-tx.org). From tech and environmental engineers to software developers and even a biomedical engineer, they inspired students to think about their future career paths and the different opportunities available to them.
To start with, software engineer Jaewoo Kim took the stage, and offered various insights into what his career entails, particularly focusing on embedded systems, which he explained was the intersection of software and hardware. He then continued to how devices like security cameras, remote controls, TVs, and speakers rely on this junction for seamless operation. "A cent matters in the system," he emphasized, highlighting the importance of precision and cost-efficiency in his work. To finish, Mr. Kim shared his passion for the field, saying he enjoys his job because it allows him to "play on the computer while working" in a relaxed environment. He also touched on the growing impact of AI in his field, noting how technology he thought would never affect software development is now making significant impacts in his field.
Next, RF hardware engineer James Song from Dell's wireless design team offered an intriguing philosophical approach to his career: "Life is not speed, but direction," he quoted, comparing his career journey to a marathon where knowing the direction is key. He also shared valuable advice with the students: "Your education is for your independence, and because of that, you are probably at an age where you should think about your future." In fact, Mr. Song heavily signified the importance of considering not just "what" you want to be, but "where" you want to be in life. Lastly, he gave an overview of his work with RF circuits, PCB designs, and antennas, concluding by expressing his pride in being able to improve people’s lives through innovations in wireless communication.
To continue, chip designer Jinkyu Lee, who has 11 years of experience at Apple working on CPU chips, followed with a presentation on the intricacies of chip design. He shared how, after 16 years in the field, he still finds excitement in the smallest details and improvements in his work, especially through evolving Iphone models. “After 16 years, you might wonder what more there is to do. However, part of the work is to find the smallest details and improve them over time.” he exclaimed, showing his passion for his work. Mr. Lee also emphasized the collaborative nature of his job, noting that team communication and effort are crucial. “Even if I sacrifice, I do it so not only I but also my team benefits,” he explained. He stressed the importance of finding joy in new challenges and design processes, comparing it to legos, breaking down and creating something new each time. Ultimately, his resonating advice to students was to focus on both the technical skills required for their chosen field and the relationships they build along the way. "Team culture is so important," he added, reflecting on his positive experiences at Apple and the valuable team members he met along the way.
After wards, Sung Ko, a software engineering team manager at Tesla, offered a unique perspective on working in a fast-paced and innovative environment. He described Tesla as not just a car company, but a company dedicated to sustainability through products like solar panels and other environmental technology. "It’s like building a house, but with code," he stated, explaining how the work at Tesla goes beyond just engineering products to solving real-world problems. He took time in describing Tesla's open and collaborative work environment, explaining “the work environment is like a startup, not like a traditional corporate office. It works in open spaces, where no one has a title, everyone talks to random people and works together like a marketplace. Noise canceling headphones are a must”. Mr. Ko also shared a personal milestone: Tesla’s upcoming ability to automatically deliver cars to customers' doors—a project he’s proud to be a part of. "Engineering isn’t just about building things; it’s about making the world safer, smarter, and more sustainable," he noted, wrapping up his presentation by rewarding Hot Wheel models of Tesla to the students.
Subsequently, Ki Young Cha, a research environmental engineer with RTI International, offered an inspiring look into the world of environmental protection. He explained how his work, which doesn't necessarily involve creating a product, is focused on protecting both people and nature. Mr. Cha continued by highlighting serious environmental issues, such as soil contamination, and how it can be prevented through measures. Additionally, he took care in explaining how important environmental engineering is to sustain our planet and protect the population. “People say that environmental engineering is something that has potential, but I’ve been hearing that for the last 20 years and it is more than something that just has potential, it is real”, Mr. Cha stated, pointing out how little environmental engineering is accounted for. He then finished his presentation encouraging students from all STEM disciplines to consider how they could contribute to environmental engineering and how it could be a possible career path.
Lasty, biomedical engineer Sun Kim shared his unique career journey. "What do I do after I graduate high school?" he asked, recalling how he struggled with that very question for many years. He explained how he began in mechanical engineering, initially dreaming of working in the automobile industry but later realizing his desire to have a greater impact. “I want to start a company and help more people around the world. By going in this industry, I am able to identify a problem and find a solution to it. It’s different from just working in a regular company because you are in charge of everything. However, it is more rewarding than ever.”
Mr. Kim explained, informing students on his ongoing journey of producing his own company. He spoke about the long process involved in biotechnology, where developing new medicines takes around 20 years and a minimum of 1 billion dollars worth of investment. Additionally, he explained that while the cells do the work of producing medicine, his role is in tracking proteins and their inner workings, which he finds fascinating. Overall, he concluded by explaining how he is so glad every part of his journey led him here, where he feels at home.
With the guidance and encouragement of these experts, students left the career fair motivated to pursue their passions, armed with the knowledge that their contributions could have a meaningful impact on society and the world in the future. “It was fun to hear about other engineers and it was nice to help others learn about this field” Ki Young Cha reflected at the conclusion of the event. “I loved the opportunity and hope that the students will choose a path in STEM” he concluded. Additionally, student Minyeong Choi (11th) recalled “I thought it was cool that Tesla autodrive is now working. I enjoyed it and it was cool to learn about different career paths. This motivated me to study more and try harder in highschool”. Student Taehoon Kim (6th) continued, “This made me want to definitely choose a career in STEM when I grow up. I enjoyed hearing from all the engineers and it was a great opportunity!”
Reporter: Haebin Kim is a second-generation Korean-American and is currently a freshman in McNeil high school. She is passionate and involved with art and writing, as well as speech & debate. She is a teaching assistant for BICA (Bridge International Christian Academy) Writing Club starting from 2025.
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