Alumni Interviews 게시판목록 | Sungkyunkwan University ( SKKU ) SKK GSB

[Where are you now?] Thomas Park (Full-Time MBA Exchange Student in 2010)

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Full-Time MBA Class Exchange Student in 2010: Thomas Park Thomas Park, who was studying for an MBA at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in the United States, came to SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University as an exchange student in 2010. He describes his time as an exchange student at SKK GSB as the highlight of his graduate school experience and continues to maintain close relationships with the professors and peers from SKK GSB to this day. Reflecting on his connection with SKK GSB, he said, "My life changed because I now had a support network of some of the smartest and most talented individuals I have ever met. I also benefited greatly from a world-class education, on par with the Ivy League schools I attended." Thomas emphasized, "The marketing and finance courses I took were probably the best I have ever had." Thomas added, "SKK GSB is probably one of the closest-knit communities I have ever found; that was very important to me." He also said, "The school culture and people were so incredibly welcoming and supportive that I have always been deeply grateful." Thomas completed his MBA and, after working at several institutions, including consulting firm McKinsey & Company and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is currently working as a Lead Partner for the Deep Tech Fund at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), which specializes in financing small and medium-sized enterprises. He introduced his job by saying, "I am a VC investor, which means I try to invest in companies overlooked by the market. I need to develop networks to find out who are the best potential startups and also need to understand an industry quickly." Thomas stated, 'Venture capital requires multiple skills, including building trusting relationships with founders, attracting great investors while also not alienating others, and being a coach and supporter to founders. At SKK GSB, since I was taught that the most important part of business is the people side and less the math, I think this gave me an advantage in the venture capital industry compared to others. He was recognized as one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 in 2017, which acknowledges his leadership and impact in the field. Regarding this, Thomas said, "I have experienced so many failures that I could fill over 100 pages of my resume with them. I think the most important thing is to understand you cannot control whether you’re successful, but you can control whether you deserve it."
- 작성일 2024-09-13
- 조회수 703
[Where are you now?] Jaejun Lee (Full-Time MBA 4th Graduate)

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Full-Time MBA Class 4th Graduate: Jaejun Lee Jaejun Lee, who graduated from SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University in 2009, has experienced significant personal and professional changes over the past 15 years since his graduation. He has worked for a major domestic gaming company and even founded his own startup. Based on his experience as a game director, he is now a professor in the Department of Film and Game Design at his alma mater, Sungkyunkwan University, where he teaches students while working on various projects and research. In the Department of Game Design, he teaches undergraduate students the basics and advanced techniques of game development. In the Department of Visual Media, he guides undergraduate students basic game design and a game workshop that allows students to design, program and implement games into software. Jaejun has always envied how games are treated as an academic subject abroad and how game communities centered around schools have developed. So, he said that starting a new career as a professor has been the most fulfilling part of his career. He mentioned, "At the university, as a researcher, I sometimes view games as a medium that exerts social influence. It has allowed me to view games from various perspectives, such as their use for educational and therapeutic purposes." He emphasized that being able to research and experiment with ways to positively impact society through games gives him great pride and satisfaction. Additionally, Jeajun continues to work as a game director while also serving as a university professor. He has a unique career that spans both industry and academia. The background of having such a distinctive career path lies in his curiosity and spirit of challenge. He said that his decision to pursue an MBA at SKK GSB was also driven by curiosity. He mentioned, "Although I was busy working in the gaming industry, I was curious about how the gaming industry could be interpreted not just from a game development perspective but also from a business standpoint." Jeajun recalls his time at SKK GSB and says that the international dual degree program was the most impressive. He stated, 'I have very fond memories of the opportunity to meet a diverse range of wonderful friends at partner schools. He said, "Now, SKK GSB is proud to have higher global rankings and excellent programs compared to the foreign universities it is exchanging with." Jaejun stated, "I studied at Indiana University Kelley School, and I still maintain a close relationship with the classmates I met there. I also developed very strong bonds with the Korean students who traveled with me. They have all become valuable connections for me." He highlighted 'networking' as a crucial aspect of the MBA program at SKK GSB. He emphasized, "Make sure to build relationships with professors you can comfortably interact with even after graduation. Actively developing your network will result in connections that last a lifetime." He also suggested, "You can participate voluntarily in various research projects led by professors or propose your research ideas. Positioning yourself as a student and a teammate in research projects can lead to valuable opportunities." Jaejun stated, "When I was at SKK GSB, I was among the youngest. By observing many of my seniors, I was able to get a glimpse of my future, and hearing their various stories helped me design my career. As a result, SKK GSB was both an ocean and a compass for me."
- 작성일 2024-09-12
- 조회수 655
[Where are you now?] Byunghyun Ahn (Full-Time MBA 4th Graduate)

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Full-Time MBA Class 4th Graduate: Byunghyun Ahn Byunghyun Ahn, who graduated from SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University in 2009, is currently the CEO of Kyobo Book Centre. After completing the Global MBA program (now Full-Time MBA) at SKK GSB, Byunghyun was working in the Marketing Planning Team at Kyobo Life Insurance when he unexpectedly received a transfer to lead the digital business initiative at Kyobo Book Centre, a subsidiary of the company. After working in the finance industry for over a decade, he found himself facing the challenge of starting a career in the entirely new field of book distribution. Initially, he felt significant pressure from embarking on a career in a field he had never encountered before. However, since February 2012, he began building a new career at Kyobo Book Centre and has since led the Digital Transformation efforts at Kyobo, establishing numerous infrastructures and achieving considerable success. He faced significant challenges immediately after moving to Kyobo Book Centre. Reflecting on that time, he said, "At that point, I was responsible for the digital content business. Although Kyobo Book Centre is a strong brand and a category killer, it was primarily an offline book distribution channel, so digital transformation was not easy." However, he said, "First, strengthening competitiveness including sequentially building digital business infrastructure and second, increasing the activity of online businesses has been the greatest achievement we have gained." After putting considerable effort into building digital infrastructure, Kyobo Book Centre's online platform saw its Monthly Active Users (MAU) increase from 6 million to 10 million. Byunghyun also focused on significantly expanding Kyobo Book Centre's business scope. Since margins were too low with just book distribution and it was difficult to meet customer needs, the company secured intellectual property (IP) through contests and implemented One Source Multi Use (OSMU) strategies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they expanded their value chain to include book supply services for local bookstores. They also provided their expertise in bookstore management to local bookstores and helped organize lectures by popular authors. These efforts generated over 100 billion won in additional revenue over two years, and the business successfully expanded its scope from content creation to distribution and supply." He said, "The global MBA experience at SKK GSB gave me a new level of confidence and equipped me with a broader perspective and deeper insights. I believe it contributed to my becoming the CEO of Kyobo Book Centre." He emphasized that his MBA experience was instrumental in starting a new chapter in his life. Byunghyun mentioned, "I had long desired to pursue an MBA and was finally able to start at SKK GSB. It was my first experience with classes conducted in English, and I struggled a lot with the accounting courses. However, I was able to study extensively and particularly enjoyed building honest and comfortable relationships with students from various industries." During the last semester, while participating in the Study Abroad Program at Indiana University's Kelley School, he said that the diverse experiences shared with his classmates were truly enjoyable memories. He said, "If you are considering entering a Full-Time MBA program, it means you are already at a point where change is necessary for you." He emphasized, "While a Full-Time MBA requires you to pause your career and fully commit to the program, it can be unsettling. However, if you fully engage with the MBA experience, your confidence will undoubtedly be restored." What leadership qualities does Byunghyun emphasize as a manager? He mentioned that he values communication highly. Byunghyun explained, "I conduct interviews with employees who are leaving to hear their honest opinions. I also have systems in place that allow for more frequent feedback from employees, making it easier for them to speak with me." Byunghyun is currently planning a national reading project called "Books Are Fun." He explained, "There is a shift where consumers are returning to existing content from webtoons or web novels. This change is more evident abroad." He continued, "I am thinking of introducing good books, creating stories for different age groups to read those books, and planning a campaign to recommend books through trustworthy individuals. I would like to launch a four-country joint reading campaign with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan."
- 작성일 2024-09-10
- 조회수 644
[Where are you now?] Sidharth Jayant(Full-Time MBA 4th Graduate)

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Full-Time MBA 4th Graduate: Sidharth Jayant Sidharth Jayant, who graduated from Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB in 2009, is spending busy days as the Chief Product Officer of Rakuten TV. Sidharth started at Samsung Electronics headquarter post graduating from MBA program. He assisted with building Samsung Smart TV APP store in Europe. Then he moved to European headquarter of Samsung Electronics to help set up Europe-wide operations for Smart TV Apps, helping to build and expand the first set of owned and operated video services from Samsung across Smart TVs, Tablets, and Smart phones. In 2014, Sidharth, who moved to Rakuten TV, explained the reason for transitioning into the broadcasting industry: “It was important for me to learn not just the TV manufacturers' part of the business but also the other parts of the video streaming value chain. The need to learn and grow in the process was a key area of focus for me.” Rakuten TV, one of the leading streaming platforms in Europe, offering FAST (free ad supported streaming tv) channels, popular movies and TV shows for free supported with advertisements and new release movies to rent or buy. His role requires him to build product features that solve user problems and create moments of delight be it by making content discovery easier or helping users with the most localized (language, currency, payment method etc.) experience when using Rakuten TV service across Europe. He is also tasked with building strategic alliances with industry partners that enables Rakuten TV to expose its service on the most popular devices in use. The lessons learned at SKK GSB have helped Sidharth transition from Content Service Manager at Samsung Electronics to Chief Product Officer at Rakuten TV. He explained, “The lessons to build strategic alliances learned at SKK GSB have been very handy for me. At Rakuten TV and Samsung Electronics, one of the key activities I engaged in was forming strategic alliances to drive business success. Additionally, in the MBA program, the strategy simulation activity taught me the importance of continuously improving the product by solving users' problems and providing services that delight them, which has led to significant business growth" In addition, the lessons from MBA program-such as investing in product before expanding too quickly and leveraging the strength of multicultural environment-have greatly helped Sidharth’s career. To current students at SKK GSB and future prospects, Sidharth said, “In the early stages of one’s career and even when one is in a senior leadership role, constant learning is necessary. Technology is evolving fast and so is the business across industries. The focus on learning organically brings growth and the associated benefits in and outside work.
- 작성일 2024-09-03
- 조회수 569
[Where are you now?] Cinar Sahin(Full-Time MBA 3th Graduate)

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Full-Time MBA Class 3rd Graduate: Cinar Sahin Cinar Sahin, who graduated from SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University in 2008, is currently working as the Worldwide Distribution Pricing Director at Seagate Technology, saying that the lessons from SKK GSB still affect him. He stated, "Professor Phil Hwa Yoo's pricing classes, which profoundly shaped my career in pricing, and Professor Tae Young Kim's strategy classes continue to resonate and inform my professional discussions to this day." Cinar added, "Guest speakers like Hermann Simon, the worldwide best-selling author of 'Hidden Champions,' left a lasting impression with their impactful presentations." Born in Turkey, Cinar worked at Samsung Electronics in Korea after graduating from SKK GSB, then worked in the UAE, and now lives in Singapore. He was deeply influenced by Korea's work culture, which has been invaluable throughout his career journey. He added, "I was influenced by Korea's highly disciplined work culture and hardworking people, which has enabled me to work in various countries without difficulty." As the Worldwide Distribution Pricing Director, he spearheaded a major profitability initiative that resulted in a substantial increase of over 700 basis points (1bp=0.01 percentage point) in profitability over the past year. Cinar is not content to stay here; he finds rejuvenation for his work through continuous learning and studying various topics. Studying is, in fact, a time for recharge for him. He is currently studying topics such as AI/ML-supported pricing models and decentralized finance. Reflecting on his time and memories at SKK GSB, he emphasized to future prospects and current students, " SKK GSB's MBA is a great MBA program. If you focus on learning and expanding your relationships and experience, it will be very fruitful for future career. Make the most of this time to explore your own passions and strengths; then, it will greatly help your career and life."
- 작성일 2024-08-26
- 조회수 606
[Where are you now?] Deepak Sachan (Full-Time MBA 4th Graduate)

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Full-Time MBA Class 4th Graduate: Deepak Sachan Deepak Sachan has been working at Samsung Electronics since graduating from SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University in 2009, for the past 15 years. He started at Samsung HQ in Korea, then moved back to India, where he is working at SIEL(Samsung India Electronics Private Limited), the india subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. Deepak has held in various roles across product marketing, retail, strategy and analytics. Presently he is working as a general manager in business innovation team. Reflecting on his time at SKK GSB, Deepak notes that strategic consulting, data-driven decision-making, and a global perspective have greatly influenced his career development. Deepak said, "Especially, the Strategic Consulting Academy at SKK GSB played a crucial role in shaping my approach to problem-solving. The rigorous curriculum, which included case studies, simulations, and real-world consulting projects, honed my analytical skills and taught me to think strategically." Additionally, the data-driven decision-making he learned through the MBA program have been another cornerstone of his success. He explained, "I was trained to leverage data to uncover insights, validate hypotheses, and make informed decisions at SKK GSB." He also mentioned that global mindset he gained through the diverse student body and faculty has been helpful in collaborating effectively with colleagues from different backgrounds at a multinational corporation like Samsung Electronics. Deepak applies the knowledge he gained at SKK GSB to his work to solve problems. When devising strategies to revitalize Samsung's consumer electronics business, which had experienced stagnant growth, he conducted a market analysis and identified key pain points. He developed a strategy that included launching a new online sales channel and creating a 360° marketing strategy, as he learned at SKK GSB. These initiatives collectively contributed to a significant turnaround, with the online channel alone projected to generate $80 million in annual revenue. He said that he gained valuable lessons from SKK GSB that still influence him. Deepak stated, "The days at SKK GSB has been instrumental in shaping my career and equipping me with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the fast-paced and ever-evolving technology industry."
- 작성일 2024-08-07
- 조회수 786
[Where are you now?] Jonathan Cho(Executive MBA 4th Graduate)

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Executive MBA 4th Graduate: Jonathan Cho Jonathan Cho, who graduated from SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University in 2014, currently works as Vice President of Biz. Market Intelligence at SK Hynix. After completing the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA(EMBA) course at SKK GSB, Jonathan became the head of the Market Intelligence division a few years later and even took on the role of an in-house marketing instructor. Jonathan says that a significant part of his current career is thanks to the EMBA program at SKK GSB. He found the global campus experience at SKK GSB extremely attractive. He stated, "All classes were conducted in English, and I was able to take classes with classmates from various countries, such as Canada, Russia, India, China, and Saudi Arabia. It felt like attending an overseas MBA program." One of Jonathan's most memorable experiences at SKK GSB was completing the Applied Business Project (ABP). He recalled, "ABP is the final semester project course that maximizes the knowledge learned in the EMBA program. Our team proposed a project to export Binggrae's banana milk to the U.S. and held meetings with Binggrae's marketing staff." He added, "It remains memorable because we gave it our best." Since moving to a new company, Jonathan continues to work in the Market Intelligence field but with a broader scope. He now performs traditional Market Intelligence tasks, such as analyzing market dynamics, supply chain analysis, and business intelligence analysis, which are crucial in the semiconductor industry. He mentioned that he is also exploring ways to incorporate AI into forecasting and analysis. In addition to Market Intelligence, Jonathan is responsible for ESG in his current role. He welcomed SKK GSB's recent strengthening of AI, Data Analytics, and ESG courses, stating, "The importance of data cannot be overstated going forward." Regarding ESG, he emphasized, "ESG is one of the most important values a company can contribute to society. As more companies seek ESG experts, it is a promising field." Jonathan has published five books on Eastern and Western classics, philosophy, leadership, and more. His most recent publication, "The Shrewd Leader's Move," includes insights on the leadership of Cao Cao. He explained, "Cao Cao demonstrated his vision and mission, as well as his communication and coordination with members, as a leader by the book." He continued, "Cao Cao made many mistakes in his youth but learned from them and designed his organization meticulously from his mid-40s onward, creating a system capable of a virtuous circle. He established a process where everything functioned well organically, even without his presence." In addition, Jonathan engages in various activities, such as performing as a member of an amateur jazz band at the Jarasum Jazz Festival. While most office workers are pressed for time, how has he managed to balance all these activities? In addition, Jonathan engages in various activities, such as performing as a member of an amateur jazz band at the Jarasum Jazz Festival. While most office workers are pressed for time, how has he managed to balance all these activities? He cited effective energy management and a consistent effort as know-how of his approach. Jonathan said, "For employees and managers, 'work' is a priority, but being immersed in work can narrow your perspective and make stress unbearable. Instead of relieving stress through drinking or sports like golf, I allocate time to consistently read, write, and play musical instruments." Jonathan explained that playing jazz and writing books relate to his work life. He noted that jazz performance, which requires harmony with other musicians, is connected to organizational life in a company. He stated that writing about self-development, research on marketing strategies, and leadership necessary for work results in the creation of a book. He said, “It’s like the concept of ‘penetrating everything with one principle.’”
- 작성일 2024-07-18
- 조회수 865
[Where are you now?] Peter Hanti(Full-Time MBA Class 2nd Graduate)

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Full-Time MBA Class 2nd Graduate: Peter Hanti Peter Hanti, who graduated from SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University in 2007, is currently working as the Global Digital Transformation Senior Vice President at Citibank. He works out of Budapest, Hungary. Since graduating from the SKK GSB MBA program, he first worked in management consulting (Accenture, Big4s) for a decade, focusing on corporate strategies in energy and financial services. Peter then diversified his skillset by leading major business and IT programs in banks, primarily in digitalization. His successful deliveries include various digital transformation projects, for instance a retail bank transitioned from traditional paper-based processes to paperless in all their 100+ branch offices in Hungary. The bank later introduced other products built on the end-to-end solution Peter and his 80-100 people strong project team implemented to create remote (mobile) processes which had a great client reception during and after the COVID times. His current role at Citi is to drive finance digitalization and automation programs globally. Peter stated that his MBA studies at SKK GSB equipped him with invaluable knowledge in analytics and corporate finance. He added "Soft skills like structured thinking, communication, and awareness of Asian-European business culture enabled a career in consulting and banking. It is fair to say my MBA laid a solid groundwork for becoming professionally who I am today. Thanks to the excellent MBA program, to my professors for the outstanding classes, and to my classmates who shared their friendship and provided an intellectually challenging environment for growth." He who has a successful career in consulting and banking, balances professional responsibilities with his personal life. Peter said, "My personal life became more important to me after my son and daughter were born. The post-COVID era is rich in flexible work options, allowing me to prioritize urgent and important matters regardless if in private life or work.” In order to do meaningful work in a short period he uses timeboxing, a simple tool using set timeframes to complete tasks. Peter advised "Be open, be curious, try everything, but prioritize and have a goal for your next 5 years," for current SKK GSB MBA students aspiring to achieve prosperous career in consulting and banking. He also emphasized, "Your goal might change often as the world, our circumstances and priorities change - And adapting should be a second nature. Respect cultures and individuals, build strong personal and professional relationships, face personal weaknesses and learn to grow from there."
- 작성일 2024-07-09
- 조회수 909
[Where are you now?] Jiwon Hong(Full-Time MBA Class 2nd Graduate)

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Full-Time MBA Class 2nd Graduate: Jiwon Hong Jiwon Hong, who is running a startup in Santa Clara, USA, graduated from SKK GSB in 2007 and worked as a Product Manager in the marketing division at Samsung Electronics. In the latter part of her career at Samsung Electronics, her job was to collaborate with startups in Silicon Valley. At this time, she had a plan to dive in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem. She said, "There was a faith that it was okay to fail and return to a job if needed. So, I took on the challenge of entrepreneurship." YesPlz AI, founded by Jiwon, provides a service that searches for and recommends clothes that users want through artificial intelligence (AI). For instance, customers can select desired shoulder shapes, colors, and other preferences based on a mannequin drawing, and AI will suggest clothing items that closely match these preferences. It has significantly benefited clients such as W.Concept, the Handsome, Kolon Mall, and more, boosting cart size by 1.7 times and sales by over 10%. Before achieving current success, she had previously founded a startup called 50ml in 2017, which recommended various food seasonings but ultimately failed. Jiwon stated, "At Samsung, I gained the confidence in product management and biz development, however, 50ml taught me the essence of entrepreneurship." She explained "50ml was a marketplace for gourmet condiments, but I made the mistake of building a product without talking to users and waiting for customers to find it. Learning from that experience, I started YesPlz AI by interviewing users, quickly building prototypes based on their feedback, and continually iterating. This process now applies to everything I do at YesPlz AI, from marketing to sales and hiring." Jiwon emphasized that building stamina is important for the startup journey. She added, "Nowadays, I start my day with intensive cardio and a cold shower. I wish I had started this routine in my early startup days. I wish I had spent more time working out to build my stamina earlier." Jiwon advised current MBA students aspiring to enter the tech industry or start their ventures to build as many side projects as possible. She emphasized, "You won't land a great product manager role or any other job without relevant experience.' Constantly validating your ideas with users and iterating quickly is crucial not only for securing a job at tech companies but also for finding the right market fit for your venture." Now she envisions a future where shopping agents handle shopping for humans. These agents, powered by large AI models, will know exactly what users are looking for and can scan millions of products in seconds. Jiwon said, "We can provide the fashion brain that plugs into these agents to discover the perfect product for users. Ultimately, I hope we contribute to improving shopping efficiency in the industry."
- 작성일 2024-06-24
- 조회수 856
[Where are you now?] Pawel Rokicki(Full-Time MBA Class 1st Graduate)

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB organized a series of "Where are you now?" interviews with alumni to find out how they are doing in their careers and what life has been like since graduation. SKK GSB Full-Time MBA Class 1st Graduate: Pawel Rokicki Pawel currently lives close to Warsaw, Poland. He is the leader of the Foundation of Consumers, a non-profit organization that advocates for consumers' rights, a husband, and a father of five. Since he earned an MBA from SKK GSB, he worked at Samsung Electronics' headquarters. Why did he return to SKK GSB for an MBA when he already had a degree in business? Pawel recalls the day he received an e-mail announcing the recruitment for the program of studies at the newly opened SKK GSB’s full-time MBA. He says "My dream was to gain more business knowledge together with international exposure. I had never been to Asia before, and it sounded like a great adventure. Also, SKK GSB was collaborating with MIT Sloan School of Management, so there was a real chance for me to study in the US as well." Pawel realized what it meant to study at the world’s top-tier MBA program. He emphasizes "The studies were hard but very fruitful." One of the skills that he strengthened was to be persistent with his goals and not to give up. He remembers one weekly course in finance when students were asked to prepare a valuation of a merger of two companies. After hearing what was required to do he seriously had no idea how to do it. He started to talk to other students, they went back to the professor to ask additional questions. With this extra support, they were in the end able to prepare the right solution. "Eighteen years have passed since my graduation and this skill of being persistent is still with me and it’s a real blessing in both my professional and private life", he says. He adds that while living in South Korea, a completely different culture from Poland, he learned how to question himself before acting based on intuition or emotions. “Because my intuition was Polish and not Korean. And my emotions could be a response to a wrong interpretation of reality”, he says. Back in Poland, Pawel founded and runs the Foundation of Consumers – a non-profit organization with a mission to protect consumer rights. He states, "I have consumer rights advocacy in my blood because my mother spent her professional life in that area." To strengthen consumer rights the foundation recently created a digital tool that helps consumers quickly resolve disputes with companies online. Pawel says "Via our platform, consumers can send a message to the company and decide to make the case public - then both the content of the case and the company's responses to it are visible to Internet users. For the company, a quick solution helps maintain a good reputation." Pawel's professional dream is to build a well-functioning social business for consumer empowerment in Poland. Pawel works from home and with his wife, they homeschool their children. “It is thanks to the engagement of my wonderful wife. She’s the real worker in our family!” he says. How does he balance family life with professional aspirations? “My strategy is simple: my work is supposed to serve my family and not the other way around. And a family – that is a real enterprise too. Your young 'associates' often don’t listen to you. We try to teach them how to behave, calmly but firmly, rebuke them with love, create clear boundaries, and establish a daily routine of assigning specific tasks so that kids can help us.” And he concludes: “I think we have a rather well-organized 'family enterprise'. I wouldn’t change it for anything else!” What advice would Pawel give to current students or entrepreneurs? He stresses the role of setting the right goal in life. “In my early 30s, I realized that I had not found happiness in life. Something was missing. And that something was… God. So my number one priority is my relationship with God. Then comes my marriage and kids followed by my professional life. Eventually, there is a space for all other activities e.g. hobbies. So, the advice that I could give to myself and others is: don’t overprioritize work and other activities over your relationship with God and family.” Pawel concludes our interview by saying: “I wish I could visit Korea one day with my family to show them the country, the culture, and the awesome business school that I attended.”
- 작성일 2024-06-03
- 조회수 1341