Alumni Interviews 게시판목록 | Sungkyunkwan University ( SKKU ) SKK GSB

[Alumni Interview] Kim Dong Won (Indiana-Kelley-SKK GSB EMBA, 2021)

[Maeil Business Newspaper - Alumni Interview] "Twice career jump after Kelley - SKK GSB EMBA." Kim Dongwon, Executive MBA class of 2021 I have worked in various global corporations such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Pfizer, and Philip Morris International for over 20 years, primarily in roles related to international cooperation and policy. Currently, I serve as the Executive Vice President for External Affairs at Moderna, a global pharmaceutical company producing COVID-19 vaccines using mRNA technology. There were three key reasons for choosing this MBA program. Firstly, it was particularly appealing because it was the only EMBA program in Korea conducted entirely in English. Given the necessity of English communication skills in building a career in multinational corporations, I believe that Kelley – SKK GSB EMBA, with its 100% English instruction and a majority of foreign professors, would be immensely beneficial. Secondly, compared to the usual two-year MBA programs, it offered the advantage of obtaining a world-class MBA degree within a relatively shorter period of 1.5 years, which was crucial for executives balancing work and career management. Lastly, the Dual MBA aspect was pivotal. Being able to attend classes from both Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB and Indiana University's Kelley School of Business professors while based in Korea had a decisive impact on my choice. Looking back three years after graduation, it was a truly excellent decision. Over 70% of my fellow graduates, who embarked on this journey with me, have achieved remarkable results, either by securing better positions at new companies or receiving promotions within their current organizations. This clearly demonstrates the significant contribution of the Kelley – SKK GSB EMBA program to the career development of its students. In my case, I successfully transitioned to new roles twice after completing my MBA and received promotions each year for the past three years. My salary has also seen a significant increase in proportion. The Kelley – SKK GSB EMBA program played a substantial role in these achievements. Firstly, the MBA credential itself created a highly positive image during job interviews. It was not just the name value of Kelley – SKK GSB EMBA but also the perception that completing an MBA program while working demonstrates commitment and dedication. Secondly, the MBA network was invaluable. I received substantial support from my MBA peers and alumni in terms of advice and references during each job transition. This aspect becomes even more influential as you climb the corporate ladder. Lastly, the program provided continuous motivation. Before entering the program, I was already on an executive track and wasn't actively seeking new challenges or opportunities. However, during the MBA journey, I couldn't help but be inspired by the highly capable, passionate, and diverse individuals I encountered. After working in the same field for over two decades, it's natural to become complacent and lose sight of new dreams and opportunities. The EMBA period allowed me to meet experts and professionals from different fields, engage in discussions, and constantly strive to set higher goals for myself. One of the most rewarding aspects of completing the program was the friendships I formed with 32 colleagues who share similar values and goals, and these are friendships that will last a lifetime. In fact, just last weekend, I went on a 1-night, 2-day trip with four of these families. Unlike other connections, MBA classmates, who share similar objectives and thoughts, quickly form strong bonds. The network I gained during this journey holds exceptional value. The Kelley – SKK GSB EMBA program is an ideal choice for professionals looking to take their careers to the next level. It is particularly appealing to executives and CEOs in multinational corporations or major domestic companies. Among my fellow graduates, some have relocated to overseas headquarters or ventured into new fields using the knowledge gained from the EMBA program. I highly recommend this program to those who seek to meet a 'better version of themselves.'. Original Article (Korean): https://www.mk.co.kr/news/special-edition/10837477
- 작성일 2023-10-26
- 조회수 120
Alumni Interview_Chanjoong Kim (Indiana Kelley-SKK GSB EMBA 2021)

“I have gained more than dual degrees through the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA.” I am Kim Chan-Joong, an Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA graduate from the Class of 2021. I am currently working as a manager at PwC Consulting Operations Headquarters. Before pursuing my MBA, I worked for over 11 years in various sectors of DL Group (formerly Daelim Group), including the Trading Division, Chemical Business Division, and Holding Company. At PwC Consulting, I leverage my experience in the EPC/chemical industry to work primarily on projects involving end-to-end process improvement, digital innovation, and new business development for chemical, energy, and EPC companies. (EPC: Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning) Why did you choose the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA? There were several reasons why I chose the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA program. The first reason is that it offers a dual degree, the 1+1 MBA program. Being able to receive MBA degrees from both Indiana University Kelley School of Business and Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB was very appealing to me. I liked that the program was operated jointly by both business schools and conducted entirely in English. Significant attractions were the synergy created by the combined faculty from both schools, and the opportunity to be part of the alumni networks of both SKK GSB and IU Kelley. I considered it a valuable opportunity to "Buy one, get three or more" rather than "Buy one, get one" regarding the value I could gain from the program. I had a strong desire to expand my professional network through an MBA program, so I initially focused on EMBA programs among various types of MBA programs. However, most domestic EMBA programs were targeted toward executives, or required a minimum of 10–15 years of work experience, creating high entry barriers. On the other hand, the SKK GSB EMBA program allowed applicants with eight years’ work experience to apply. I therefore had no reason to hesitate since I was precisely at the eight-year mark. It seems that people typically pursue MBA programs primarily for three reasons: career transition, networking, and knowledge enrichment. Likewise, I also wanted to enhance my business knowledge and skills through an MBA program. With all the classes conducted in English, I had the opportunity to learn from passionate and experienced professionals and engage in lively discussions. It was an honor to be surrounded by highly motivated and competent classmates and to spend a year and a half in this EMBA program. What did you learn in the MBA course to help you with your work? When I transitioned from the Strategy Planning Team to the Finance/IR Department, I was tasked with competitor analysis and stock valuation for peer groups. It would have been quite daunting if I had only experienced strategic planning tasks. However, during the EMBA program, specifically in the Corporate Finance course, we had a team assignment that involved comparing and analyzing the financial soundness of target companies based on stock valuation methodologies and various economic indicators. I utilized the analysis tools I had developed during that assignment to complete my management report successfully. In the Effective Negotiation course, we conducted a simulation exercise called "Recruiter Role," which involved negotiations between job seekers and employers. This assignment proved very useful when negotiating my salary during a job transition. Although it was initially approached as a simulation exercise for learning purposes, I took the role-play sheet very seriously during my actual salary negotiation. As a result, I reached agreements in directions where the company couldn't provide certain things due to its position. In return, I negotiated for more than I initially wanted. Did the MBA course help your career? After graduating from the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA program, I had two job transitions, and it also helped me move to my current position at PwC Consulting. It had an impact because, during job interviews for positions requiring experience, the focus is usually on work experience. However, I received questions about my MBA experience right from the start. Thanks to this, I stood out to many interviewers. I received higher evaluations for having an MBA and for demonstrating a passion for the MBA program alongside my professional experience. What was the best or most memorable thing in your MBA course? One of the most memorable experiences was creating a subject-specific mentoring system among classmates struggling with their studies. For example, for finance or accounting courses, we had classmates who held the CFA certification; for communication courses, we had classmates working in PR agencies; and for digital courses, we had classmates from Microsoft. In this way, different classmates who were knowledgeable in specific areas would explain complex concepts efficiently and take the time to answer any questions. As a result, the time required to understand and delve deep into unfamiliar subjects was significantly reduced. Our overall understanding of the subjects also improved significantly. By willingly investing their time and effort in pursuing the collective benefit rather than competing, the entire cohort was able to progress. In this period, we all experienced the ideal organizational model. What was the most challenging part of your MBA program? Finding a proper balance between family, work, and studies was challenging. As a student, I had a three-year-old child and was also on the verge of a job promotion. In addition to attending classes on Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays, there were case study reviews, various assignments, quizzes, and exam preparations to handle. Juggling work, parenting, and MBA studies felt overwhelming initially. Regarding academic challenges, there were initial difficulties in adapting, but they were quickly resolved thanks to the mentoring system among classmates, as mentioned earlier. Surprisingly, parenting issues were also resolved with the help of MBA peers. Along with five classmates with children of a similar age, we regularly took our kids to kids’ cafés, art activities, farms, and hands-on experiences on Sundays and public holidays. It was called the "Daddy, Where Are We Going?" gathering. This gave our children memorable experiences and our spouses much-needed relaxation time. It also helped change our families’ mindset to support our MBA journey actively. Of course, it was also a time to bond even more closely with peers in similar situations. At that time, I worked in the Strategic Planning Department, where many tasks involved researching unfamiliar industries or sectors based on management directives. In such cases, I benefited greatly from the diverse backgrounds and expertise of my EMBA peers, who had 10–20 or more years of experience in various industries. In addition, I listened to detailed explanations about industry trends and structures from industry experts, which helped streamline my research process and significantly reduce the time for trial and error. Please advise those considering beginning their MBA program. Your present situation results from countless choices you made in the past. Just like I did, you are grappling with numerous reasons why you should pursue an MBA program and many other reasons why you don't have to. However, compared to those who haven't even started contemplating, you have already taken significant steps. Consider whether the regrets of choosing a particular path or the lingering sense of missed opportunities and guilt for not selecting other courses weigh more heavily in your mind. Then, make wise decisions.
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 321
Alumni Interview_Chanjoong Kim (PMBA 2019)

[The Korea Economic Daily - Alumni Interview] "My MBA is a key point in my resume." Chanjoong Kim, Professional MBA class of 2019 I'm Kim Chan-joong. I work for Nespresso Korea in the Finance & Control Team. My job is financial planning, so I analyze the company's recent performance and predict future results. More specifically, my team is responsible for a variety of tasks to improve B2B sales and revenue, and we have a review and guidance role to analyze promotion performance and to achieve maximum performance within our budget. What MBA course did you take? I graduated from SKK GSB’s Professional MBA course. SKK GSB offers students on this course an evening program and dual MBA opportunities at Indiana University, USA. As a result, I completed a full-time MBA program at Kelley School of Business in one year, and when I graduated, I obtained an MBA from both Sungkyunkwan University and Indiana University. What prompted you to choose this MBA course? I had completed my bachelor’s degree abroad, so I decided to enter an MBA to expand my network in Korea. There are many good MBA programs in Korea, but there were many reasons why I chose SKK GSB’s Professional MBA. First of all, it was recognized as the best MBA course in the country by the Financial Times from the UK. Another great advantage was that all courses and classes were conducted in English, and finally, I could obtain a dual degree in the MBA program at the prestigious Indiana University Kelley School in the United States. Did what you learned on your MBA course actually help you at work? I went through SKK GSB’s Professional MBA course, then concentrated on business analytics in the Kelley School MBA course. As a result, before entering the IU Kelley MBA, because I had focused on predicting the future based on analysis of corporate performance, I could grasp Predictive Analytics and Prescriptive Analytics after graduating from the MBA. Predictive Analytics helps us understand overall sales, marketing, and strategy trends behind performance figures, and helps us predict the future; and Prescriptive Analytics gives a more sophisticated analysis of what departments need to do to prepare for this predicted future and how they may prepare to benefit the company. Through my varied MBA courses, I gained a broad understanding of business areas beyond my financial field, and learned to use data analytics tools to find meaningful results, enabling more accurate analysis and facilitating critical business decisions. For example, sales of Nespresso's home café products rose significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, from the perspective of financial planners, prescription analysis should be used to predict and prepare for a drop in sales in the post-pandemic era. It was necessary to predict when the pandemic would ease, and how the economy would be at that time; then we could consider what our company should do around that time. There are many business areas to consider, but the results derived from analysis technologies are shared with other departments at business operations meetings, where they collaborate on how to respond. The MBA experience has helped us understand this more broadly, deeply, and accurately from the perspective of the company's business as a whole. What other knowledge or experience did you gain from SKK GSB’s Professional MBA program that was helpful or valuable? I was in charge of B2B sales before starting my MBA. Among the subjects I studied, Prof. Rockney Walters' marketing class helped me learn more about sales and marketing departments’ work. This made it easier to understand the overall B2B business, and it helped me understand various trends in management. I also received a lot of help in terms of network expansion, which was one of my original intentions on entering the school. I still keep in touch with MBA colleagues, and we can still interact with other students and alumni at events such as golf competitions. In particular, a group chat room with all professional MBA students is very helpful. There are industry-specific gatherings in fields such as IT, healthcare, travel, and startups; since our network includes experienced workers, we actively share recruitment information, and through this, many of us have also changed jobs. Did the MBA course help you develop your career? The term ‘MBA’ in my résumé is itself a keyword that represents me. It's a title that can only be obtained by investing time and effort to grow even though you're busy with your job. Perhaps that's why when I changed jobs, I passed the document screening process more easily than before, and I was treated well in the salary negotiation. I think when you reach a higher-ranking position, the true value of the MBA experience is expressed more. What was the best part of your MBA program? The SKK GSB Professional MBA is an evening MBA course, and it is a big advantage to provide a dual degree program with Indiana University Kelley School. Students on this course can get the most for the least amount of time and money. I think I got two prestigious MBAs—one in Korea, and one in the United States—at the same time with minimal financial investment, and this advantage clearly sets me apart from graduates of MBA programs at other universities. It was also very beneficial to be able to enjoy both domestic and overseas networks as an alumnus of two prestigious universities. What was the most difficult thing while you are studying? It was hard to digest a large amount of reading material while working during the day and raising children at night. In particular, many subjects focused on business cases from the Harvard Business Review, so I had to read and digest these materials in advance to keep up with the class smoothly. I shared the contents of the case with team members in advance to broaden my understanding, then put my child to bed, and finished the day by reading materials late in the evening. Please advise prospective students The biggest problem is delaying enrolling in a course. I hope you decide to invest in your own future. Starting at a young age, making great relationships earlier, and applying your studies to your work quickly will be a shortcut to creating a better career. Even though I graduated only recently, I believe the MBA experience is more valuable than any other investment. Related article: https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/2023041189381
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 262
[Korea Economic Daily] SKK GSB, an opportunity to gain new perspectives, growth and network

SKK GSB Professional MBA alumnus Mr. Insub Yeo, who is specialized in the healthcare industry for over 15 years, shared his experiences at SKK GSB. He highlighted gaining new perspectives, growth, and network. Read the full interview below: Q1. First of all, please introduce yourself briefly. Hello, I am Insub Yeo, a student in the 11th cohort of SKK GSB's Professional MBA. I currently work at Medtronic Korea, a global healthcare company, leading the Market Development and Marketing Team. Our main tasks are discovering niche markets and creating new business plans and strategies for sustainable growth. Being in charge of a team that does a job that can be a catalyst for the company's long-term change is a huge responsibility, but it's also rewarding at the same time. Q2. What made you decide to study for an MBA? The biggest reason was that I wanted to become a business expert with expertise that was difficult to harness through experience alone. During my 15-year career in the healthcare industry, I have been recognized for outstanding work, and have received numerous in-house awards. I am proud that I have accumulated insight and expertise in the market on my own through various practical experiences in sales and marketing. Nevertheless, I felt there was a limit to experience alone. I wanted to make new solutions by understanding my experiences more clearly and acquiring professional management knowledge. Another reason was that my goal was to prepare a career as a global leader. I had planned to work at the Asia Pacific headquarters, and to take the MBA course to become more competitive in the global environment. Although it has changed a bit due to various circumstances, such as the pandemic, I am still preparing to become a global leader who can lead a team anywhere in the world. I therefore chose SKK GSB because I could study an MBA in a global environment. Q3. Has what you are learning on the MBA helped you in practice? Please share your experience. The SKK GSB Professional MBA program consists of three major areas that must be well understood at the executive level: finance, management, and marketing. I led the marketing team, and focused on management and marketing courses. Because the teaching method is mainly through case studies, I found business applications naturally. The most memorable class was the Human Resources Management course in Gangneung. This class took the form of a three-day residency. This was my first face-to-face class, as I'd enrolled during the height of the pandemic, and it was also fun to hang out with the professor and classmates. Over a few days, I gained a lot of realization by examining human resources and operating cases of other world-class companies from the perspective of human resources and management, away from the sales and marketing perspective I was familiar with. At the leadership level, there is a tendency to focus instead on performance. I felt that the alignment process that puts organizational goals and personal growth on the same line, that is, the alignment of dreams, is essential. After my residency, I applied alignment with my team, strengthening our teamwork. Q4. What is the most difficult part of doing an MBA? Setting priorities and keeping them seemed the most difficult—to catch all three rabbits from work, family, and the MBA. When I started my MBA, the company's large-scale organizational change made me take on a broader team of business areas. My precious child was also born, and I didn't have much time to spare. Since the MBA program involves high-intensity study, there were indeed times when I felt overwhelmed. However, while studying on the program, I was satisfied that I was developing together in terms of work and abilities. In particular, it was an opportunity for me to find new stimulation, growth and motivation, thanks to my MBA friends who demonstrated powerful teamwork all along. Q5. What advice would you give to students beginning at SKK GSB or to those who are considering applying? If you dream of becoming an expert in your field, or want to become a world leader, I highly recommend considering SKK GSB. The school has ranked first in Korea in the Financial Times (FT) MBA rankings for 11 consecutive years, and has a globally recognized curriculum. Not only that, but you will be able to develop further through the network of alumni who have motives brought from various backgrounds. Related article: Korea Economic Daily on October 13 https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/2022101215301
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 283
[Herald Business] Myounghee Kang, CMO at Finda, "SKK GSB, a process of self-growth in pursuit of life goals"

Ms. Kang, Myounghee (FMBA, 2013) is now the CMO at Finda After graduating from SKK GSB's Full-time MBA course, Ms. Kang Myoung-hee is now in charge of marketing (CMO) at Finda, a fintech company that operates a loan comparison and brokerage platform. On this platform, borrowers can easily compare loan conditions by financial institutions, and lenders can access information to select borrowers with higher credit ratings. Ms Kang started her career in the financial industry before enrolling on the MBA program, then she switched to the marketing field after completing the marketing track in her Full-time MBA studies. Ms Kang's career has encompassed a sense of purpose, transformation, and growth. Starting her career in a savings bank, she found purpose in doing something that moves customers and markets. Afterwards, she realized that she needed a career change as a marketer to do something meaningful and suitable for her. She said, “I enjoy challenges and growth, but above all, I wanted to live a life where I could immerse myself in what is meaningful to me.” By embarking on the MBA and completing the marketing track, she developed in her professional field while exploring opportunities to gain relevant experience through networking with classmates, seniors, and juniors. After graduating with an MBA, she did marketing consulting at a consulting firm, and later served as CMO at The Booth, a craft beer brand, and at Playlist, a content company, expanding her marketing domain through branding. Now, as Head of Marketing at Finda, she leads the growth team, branding team, and marketing design team. Ms Kang says, "The MBA isn't all that made me who I am today, but I think that I steadily pursued becoming the person I am today through the MBA course." She also emphasized that an “MBA is a process of creating a better future by using deep thought about career path and future, and using various stimuli through networking, as well as professional education during mathematics, and the guidance of world-class professors.” Although she has made a successful career transition, Ms Kang advises that the MBA itself should not be a goal. The following is the text of her advice to those who are considering applying to SKK GSB. “Thinking that ‘everything will be all right because I passed the MBA and came all this way’ cannot lead to a real transformation. Starting with the MBA, I hope you will lead yourself closer to your ultimate life goal by actively utilizing the courses and networks. I want you to imagine the experiences and career goals you want in SKK GSB as concretely as possible, and to create opportunities to gain as many experiences, memories, and contacts as possible beyond your imagination.” Related article: https://news.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20221007000418 The Herald Business on October 7 (in Korean)
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 269
Career jump story of Gabi Yoon, FMBA 2019

[Maeil Business Newspaper - Alumni Interview] Career jump at SKK GSB Gabi Yoon, Full-Time MBA 2019 I was born in Switzerland, and always wanted to make Korea known to the world, so I wanted to act as a bridge connecting Korea and Europe. Although I was already working in a marketing company in Switzerland, since I believed in Korea’s potential and wanted to contribute my knowledge and skills to its innovation, I came to Korea and enrolled on an MBA course. I joined this MBA course, and gained professional marketing skills and a very successful career thereafter as a digital marketing specialist. Now, after my successful career jump, I’m working as a consumer intelligence and marketing consultant at Samsung Group In-house Consulting, and in S-Core, which leads digital transformation. I conduct strategic consulting based on digital marketing operation and digital effect analysis. Motivation to enroll the MBA program at SKK GSB I thought that as a digital marketer who majored in design thinking, it would be helpful to have more expertise in business, economy, and finance to improve my work skills and for my career. Even before I entered, I’d seen many of my friends and acquaintances who graduated from SKK GSB get jobs in globally powerful companies such as Google and Samsung, and they developed greatly in their professional careers quickly. Not only did SKK GSB have global professors with excellent research results, but it was also impressive to see the curriculum operating tracks that allow in-depth specialist learning. MBA experience was helpful Most of the knowledge that I learned from the MBA classes is directly helpful and effectively used in my work. I am in particular benefiting a lot from the first semester classes such as Management, Economics, Finance and Data Analysis. SKK GSB professors use various teaching methods to elevate student participation and encourage students to constantly question themselves while thinking critically. Thanks to this, I got used to thinking deeply, and giving opinions widely. After the MBA, I always took the initiative, and became confident in solving problems. Specifically, when I was recently analyzing social listening data in Escore, I applied the analytic skills that I learned in Prof. Yanbo Wang’s Quantitative Analysis class. When it comes to contracting, or when we need Win-Win negotiations, the client/partner acquisition skills from Prof. Adam Castor’s Negotiation class are of great help. I focus on the value of what I create when I work rather than just on the activity. I also try my best to help the company and our clients to develop. What was the most difficult thing while you are studying? In the SKK GSB Full-Time MBA course, I studied with students from more than 10 countries. I found it a big challenge to distribute roles considering the language and cultural differences of the team members and the strengths and weaknesses of each team. It was not easy to create synergy by integrating so many different opinions considering that we all came from different backgrounds. During the MBA period, numerous projects were carried out, and we experienced and resolved some conflicts with team members. This experience at the same time became a great opportunity to me as it helped me to develop my ability to integrate with people with different opinions, and to move toward a shared goal. Thanks to this opportunity, my interpersonal skills have also improved. Advice for prospective students I highly recommend taking an MBA for anyone who wants a transition or career development. I developed my career, and learned a lot more than I expected. I keep in touch with my friends from various fields and my professors at SKK GSB. While working at the Korea MBA Association, I often interacted with MBA students from other schools, and met many people at work even after we graduated. The MBA experience was an opportunity in my life where I reflected greatly on myself, and developed a lot as an individual. Related article: https://www.mk.co.kr/news/special-edition/view/2022/04/350118/
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 308
"SKK GSB was a turning point in my life." by Hyunseok Ji (PMBA 2022)

SKK GSB Professional MBA alumnus Mr. Hyunseok Ji, who now works to improve profitability in LG Energy Solution’s Automotive Battery Division, shared how his life-changing experiences at SKK GSB have influenced his career. He noted that his learning experiences at SKK GSB assisted him in creating innovative outcomes through strategic decision-making with a new perspective. He also highlighted the importance of differentiating strengths and of excellent problem-solving skills in our rapidly-changing world. Read the full interview below: 1.Could you tell us a little bit about yourself? I am Hyunseok Ji, and I graduated from the Professional MBA program at the end of last year. I am responsible for improving profitability and productivity in LG Energy Solution’s Automotive Battery Division. 2.What were your reasons for doing the MBA, and why did you choose SKK GSB? I chose an MBA to develop a mindset to understand business in diverse ways. I majored in mechanical engineering as an undergraduate, but when I worked as a purchasing officer, I had to work with sales, development, planning, cost, and quality assurance representatives from partner companies. That was when I realized that I needed not only technical know-how, but also an understanding of the business administration aspect. In particular, as I worked on improving profitability, I felt that I needed the knowledge and perspective to look at business in various ways, so I became interested in the MBA program. The MBA was also a fascinating opportunity to meet students and alumni from a variety of fields, and it helped me to enrich my working life. My highly-motivated classmates were especially stimulating. Among MBA programs in Korea, I found the program at SKK GSB most attractive as it offered 100% English-medium MBA classes applying the latest management theory to a practice-oriented curriculum. 3.Please share how what you learned during your MBA program has contributed towards your work. In an assignment in the Product Service Design course, we selected a company, and drew a product life cycle and roadmap to propose a new business model. In that assignment, I analyzed the initial model, and successful and unsuccessful projects by investigating personal mobility companies that have various products. After that, I suggested future business strategies such as localization and subscription. Another notable course was the Project Workshop. In that course, we had regular meetings with actual tech startup managers to discuss product strategies and mid-to-long-term operation plans, and we devised improvement roadmaps. I’m certain that this experience of analyzing and discussing business models, and formulating differentiation strategies with actual CEOs and CTOs was a great help in expanding my business perspectives. These classes have assisted me a lot in the process of strategic decision-making, and have helped me to create the innovative outcomes required in my job. 4.Please give a word of advice to prospective applicants who are considering an MBA. In a rapidly-changing world, I believe that it is crucial to differentiate our strengths, and to develop excellent problem-solving skills. Now I’m sure that an MBA is not only a platform for acquiring the knowledge of business and economics, but also a place to redefine our careers and directions in life by reflecting on ourselves. Related article: Korea Economic Daily on April 13th (Korean version) https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/2022041296831
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 286
[Maeil Business News] Jin Won Song, PMBA 2020

Q) Could you tell us about yourself briefly? A) I am Jin Won Song, the CEO of Trust One Consulting Group. I graduated from the SKK GSB Professional MBA Program at Sungkyunkwan University in 2020. I worked as a global human resources (HR) manager at a large company while I was studying for my MBA. I am currently the CEO of a career consulting group, offering 1:1 career consulting, labor law consulting, and talent recommendation services.. Q) What are the reasons behind choosing to do the MBA, and why did you choose SKK GSB in particular? A) Before I began the MBA program, as an HR Manager with five years’ experience, I contemplated whether I wanted a stable working life or the new challenge of starting my own business. I enrolled on the MBA course to identify how I would self-brand 'me' and my core abilities, and to acquire the expert knowledge required to operate my own business. From the various MBA programs that I could undertake as I continued my work, there were three reasons why why I chose SKK GSB: its differentiated brand power, carefully selected human networks, and global insights. First of all, SKK GSB has tangible brand power. SKK GSB has been ranked number one in Korea in the UK Financial Times (FT) MBA rankings every year, and it has shown unrivaled results in terms of employment rate, value for money, etc. Sungkyunkwan University boasts the highest employment rate in Korea, and I saw on LinkedIn how the alumni of SKK GSB are actively engaged in important positions. I paid close attention to such aspects since I was working as an HR manager. The second reason was its carefully selected human networks. SKK GSB classes are 100% in English, so they provide a rather challenging learning environment. I imagined that students who enroll on such a program would be seeking a challenge, would be equipped with a global mindset and outstanding linguistic abilities, and would have a strict sense of self-discipline. I witnessed many students being recognized for their outstanding achievements, and many worked overseas, so I wanted to acquire a solid network by interacting and creating synergy with such energetic people. In the end, I even ended up starting a business with the people I met on the MBA program. SKK GSB therefore served as a turning point in my life and career. Lastly, I thought that I could gain global insights. At SKK GSB, students can actively engage in discussions with foreign lecturers (who make up 70% of the faculty), foreign expats in Korea, and key personnel from multinational companies. The students can learn about global management trends, and acquire insights from such an environment. Being able to apply various global case studies I studied in class to actual work was an added bonus. This was all very beneficial to me as I was considering expanding my business overseas. Q) Please share how what you have learned during your MBA course has contributed towards your actual work or career. A) What I learned on the MBA program is twofold: in personal terms it helps me to define my self-branding, and in business terms it helps me to perform soundly. I learned in depth about creative problem-solving skills through the discussions I had with colleagues from various backgrounds. While I was working in the corporate HR team, applying what I’d learned on the MBA program, I identified the characteristics of other departments' business, and learned about labor laws overseas jurisdictions where we operate. I could then apply this to make numerous HR management plans. As a result, I received a positive review and was recognized as key personnel, so I then became involved in more important HR tasks. After starting my own business, as I offer HR management consultation and talent recommendation services, what I learned from the MBA program has been of great help in accurately analyzing and grasping the essence of various issues encountered in a real-life management environment. In this regard, I believe that the MBA course will continue to be of great help for my personal branding in the future as well. Q) What was the biggest challenge you encountered while completing the MBA course? A) While time managemt was a challenge, since I had to work and study simultaneously, I could overcome this because it was a choice I made myself. That is why I see self-motivation and strong will as important factors when choosing to undertake an MBA program. Although it was physically tiring to prepare for classes and complete assignments on weekends, I was able to finish my two years of studies thanks to the consideration of my family, coworkers and friends. I also found consistent exercise helpful. I could thus develop into a more mature person by overcoming such challenging times. Q) Please give a word of advice to prospective applicants who are considering an MBA. A) Finding the 'one best way' by defining one's core abilities and values is becoming increasingly important in managing one's individual career management these days. I believe that an MBA program is the best training place to explore one's career in all directions because it is individuals who choose how to manage their careers these days, not companies. The management environment is changing even faster in the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability to identify hidden needs in markets, and to turn these into results purely based on one's ability and insight will be seen as more valuable than ever both within and outside organizations. By promoting simultaneous cultivation of soft and hard skills, I trust that an MBA program will allow individuals to define their self-branding and to yield solid results inside and outside businesses. Jin wong Song (PMBA 2020, Trustone Consulting , we@trustone-consulting.com) Original Article in Korean: https://www.mk.co.kr/news/special-edition/view/2021/04/406905/
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 263
Meet the President and Vice President of the SKK GSB Alumni Association: Mr.Hee Bai Kim and Mr.Chong Man Suk

Mr. Hee Bai Kim (EMBA 2016) and Mr. Chong Man Suk (EMBA 2015) graduated from the Executive MBA program and have taken the roles of President and Vice President of the Alumni Association since early 2020. They have done well in maintaining their connections with the SKK Graduate School of Business. Q. When and why did you decide to pursue the EMBA program? A. Mr. Kim: Pursuing an MBA had been part of my career plan ever since I was in my 20s. The career I had envisioned for myself was clear from a young age, and I gave myself a goal of working in senior management for a company and pursuing an EMBA degree in my 40s so that I could excel in a leadership and executive role. I have always maintained that constant learning is critical. Therefore, I believed that going back to school to obtain an EMBA degree after years of accumulating professional work experience would allow me to better understand the theories taught in class. Mr. Suk: Unlike Mr. Kim, I never had a plan to pursue an EMBA degree until SKK GSB came to our company to host a workshop. After that seminar by SKKU, I realized that it would be a good opportunity for me to continue my learning and keep my competitiveness in the company by pursuing an EMBA degree. Q. Why did you choose SKK GSB to pursue an EMBA degree? A. SKK GSB is the only MBA school in Korea that boasts a truly international pedigree that is consistent with today’s globalized economy and with courses that are taught 100% in English. Over 60% of the faculty come from international backgrounds. The student body was also very international, adding to the diverse cultural flavor. Also, the case studies we had discussed in class were all discussed in a global context. Finally, the global field trips offered us real, hands-on international business experiences. Attending SKK GSB helped us broaden our global vision and gave us an opportunity to master our business communication skills, especially in English. Both of us are currently working in multinational corporations and our experience at SKK GSB has helped tremendously in this aspect. Q. What has been most memorable from your EMBA journey? A. The entire EMBA journey was fruitful and we had lots of great experiences. One of the most unforgettable experiences was the Global Field Trip to the U.S. For two weeks, we visited many of the iconic places in America and exchanged ideas with a diverse group of academic scholars. However, more than just the academic experiences, the social gatherings allowed the entire class to truly get to know one another in a fun, casual environment. It was a valuable opportunity for all of us to get closer to each other, something that had been challenging to do in Korea due to the busy work schedules of our classmates, who were executives or senior managers in their respective firms. The two-week Global Field Trip gave us a temporary respite from our everyday norm, and allowed us to enjoy our time with each other. Q. How did the EMBA program help with your career success? A. At work, we are not given the leeway to make mistakes, and any mistake could potentially be detrimental to the company. As a senior manager, we are also expected to know everything. However, at SKK GSB, we were encouraged to try out new ideas and we were allowed the leeway to make mistakes, as mistakes could provide a good opportunity to learn from. It wasn’t wrong to say “I don’t know” whenever we encountered something we were not aware of and we were able to learn new theories from our professors and our peers. It was great that we could indeed be “ourselves” and continuously acquire new knowledge in a pressure-free environment. Teamwork was also highly emphasized at SKK GSB. It was difficult for us to work as a team initially, as many of us came from leadership positions and we were used to making the decisions at work. After multiple team projects, however, we were able to get a firm grasp on the importance of teamwork and how to deal with diverse set of opinions. The MBA program was also driven by learning through case studies, which helped us enhance our problem-solving skills. During the program, we studied over 100 real-life cases and learned how to solve different practical problems. The case studies prepared us thoroughly on how to tackle real-world business issues and handle complex problems in a more efficient way, and has proved beneficial to our work life. Taking courses in English also gave us opportunities to practice business English outside of work. Our English communication skills have since improved a lot, thanks in part to the program. Q. Why did you want to come back to the campus and join the Alumni Association? A. We both had an amazing EMBA experience at SKK GSB. Yet, we felt it was a pity that the opportunities to reunite with our classmates after graduation were few and far between, as everyone had to go back to their busy work life. We thought that it would be great if we could reconnect with the school and get to meet everyone again. We also wanted to help other graduates and alumni rebuild their connections with the school as well. Therefore, we decided to join the Alumni Association. Every time we come back to the school, we feel younger and rejuvenated. Q. What is the plan and mission of the Alumni Association? A. We had grand ambitions and planned to bring the alumni together at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, most of the plans have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been monitoring the situation closely and we are planning to move some events (e.g., alumni gathering) online in early 2021. Hopefully, we will be able to gather and meet each other in person soon after the pandemic is contained. Irene So and Bomi Kim, SKK GSB PR Committee, Class of 2022
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 268
"Special Thanks to SKK GSB" - Hélène Guo

"Special Thanks to SKK GSB" "Korean citizens are very respectful to the sanitary instructions and all were handled very efficiently." Hélène Guo, MMS'21 I am Hélène Guo, and I am an Master in Management Studies student from EDHEC Business School, Paris, France. Studying one semester at SungKyunKwan University(SKKU) SKK GSB is part of our academic program, and all my classmates and I were really happy to have the opportunity. Unfortunately, two months after semester started, COVID-19 outbreak and it became a global pandemic and of course reached South Korea soon after. SKKU and SKK GSB didn’t waste time regarding the situation: we received an email from the administration saying that the university was closing and that courses would be conducted online. The transition to online courses was very quick and efficient. The university set up the necessary equipment within a week and we were able to resume studying remotely without any trouble. As the class representative, I was able to see how the administration strove to support us. I can tell that the university has done its very best to maintain the quality of the courses, which have been conducted well since the professors were trained and thus are very familiar with the software. Though we’re all grateful for their efforts, we remain sad that we weren't able to meet all of them. I still follow the online class. I personally would like to go back to offline. SKK GSB has taken considerable precautions: it gave each student a kit containing a hand sanitizer and a disinfectant, among other things. Every time a student goes to school, they need to wear a mask, fill out a form of conditions, and have their body temperature checked at the entrance. Moreover, as foreign students don't have access to the Korean mask purchasing system, public authorities (through SKK GSB) have helped us by delivering masks to each foreign student. Such efforts made us feel well taken care of. Although the situation is getting better and restaurants, cafés, and supermarkets remain open, we are continuing to be very careful. South Korea is handling the COVID-19 very well. To me, it appears to be due to two factors. First, I noticed that Korean citizens are very respectful to the sanitary instructions. Second, the Korean Government reacted immediately and conducted many prevention campaigns(flyers, information panels indicating the precautions we should take, etc.). Hand sanitizers are available in public transportation and restaurants. Also, mass test and availability of facial mask, temperature checking in public place, and daily alerts, updates were all handled very efficiently. SKK GSB Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/pg/skkgsb/posts/?ref=page_internal YouTube: https://youtu.be/XgRJ2rRu_L4 Instagram: skkgsb_official EDHEC Business School Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EDHECMaster.GE / Website: https://www.instagram.com/edhec_bschool/ Twitter: @EDHEC_BSchool Videos: https://master.edhec.edu/videos Instagram: edhec_bschool by Hélène Guo Master in Management Studies, GETT(Global Economic Transformation & Technology) EDHEC Business School, Paris, France SungKyunKwan University SKK GSB Berkeley Haas School of Business, University of California
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 264