Alumni Stories 게시판목록 | SKK GSB MBA , Sungkyunkwan University ( SKKU )

[BAMBA] Sumin Jo (BA MBA 2027) – Toss NEW

"In the past, developing data-driven insights or technical proposals for clients often required support from multiple teams. Today, with AI, I can analyze a client’s situation more quickly and design customized solutions independently." Sumin Jo, a Business Analytics MBA (BA MBA) student, works as an account manager in Toss's Cross Domain Sales Team. In her role, she brings together various toss services—including payments, loans, advertising, and commerce—to deliver integrated solutions. "Rather than selling a single product, I communicate directly with decision makers and solve their business challenges by combining different toss services," she explained. Reflecting on her MBA experience, Sumin shared: "The program helped me realize that AI is not a specialized technology reserved for experts—it can become an everyday work partner. Whether I am analyzing data, preparing reports, or organizing client information, AI significantly improves both speed and efficiency." Although she does not consider herself a data analytics specialist, the BA MBA program showed Sumin how AI can simplify complex processes. "Through the coursework, I experienced firsthand how AI can make complicated data much easier to organize and understand,” she said. “At a company like toss, which operates multiple business units, this is especially valuable. As an account manager representing a wide range of businesses, I can train AI on relevant business information, retrieve the information when needed, and use it to develop tailored proposals for individual clients." She added, "My role requires me to absorb large amounts of information quickly and communicate it in a way that clients can easily understand. The AI applications I learned through the program make that process faster and more sophisticated." Looking ahead, Sumin believes AI will continue to expand the scope of individual capability. "The biggest change AI brings is the expansion of what a single person can accomplish," she noted. "In the past, data analysts, client solution specialists, and technical managers each contributed their expertise as part of a team. Today, AI is creating an environment where one person can perform aspects of all those roles." She believes this shift will be particularly impactful for sales professionals. At the same time, Sumin stressed that human relationships will become even more important as AI capabilities advance. "As AI takes on more technical and analytical work, the most important capability for account managers will be developing a deep understanding of clients," she explained. "Our role is to understand clients’ challenges and goals, build trusted partnerships, and grow together with them." Sumin concluded: "That is what lies at the heart of being an account manager. Rather than replacing people, AI allows us to focus more on the human side of the role. It creates an environment where we can become even better partners to our clients."
- 작성일 2026-06-05
- 조회수 557
[BAMBA] Jeehong Seo (BA MBA 2027) – Kobre & Kim NEW

Jeehong Seo, a student in the Business Analytics MBA (BA MBA), is a Senior Product Manager at the global law firm Kobre & Kim. "I analyze the evolving needs and challenges of clients navigating cross-border opportunities between Korea and international markets, and help shape the future direction of the business. Another key part of my role is applying global market trends to Korean market strategies," she explained. Reflecting on her MBA experience, Jeehong noted: "Because my role is closely tied to understanding market trends and identifying strategic opportunities, the data analytics and AI skills I gained through the BA MBA have proven highly valuable in my work." She stressed how these tools have enhanced her work efficiency: "When analyzing large volumes of data and industry information, AI and data analysis tools allow me to identify key insights much more quickly. They help me determine which opportunities deserve greater attention and which can be deprioritized, enabling more informed and strategic decision-making." Jeehong also told us which courses had left the strongest impression: "The most memorable courses for me were Business Forecasting and Accounting for Managerial Decision. Through Business Forecasting, I learned how to use data to predict future business trends. What stood out most was realizing that data analysis is not just about interpreting numbers—it can serve as a powerful foundation for developing business strategies. In Accounting for Managerial Decision, I learned that accounting figures are not merely calculations but valuable information that supports managerial decision-making. Since my work often requires balancing multiple stakeholder perspectives, I found this course especially practical and directly applicable." Jeehong also reflected on how the program reshaped her perspective on AI: "One of the most important lessons I learned is that using AI effectively is not simply about generating answers. It is about asking the right questions and critically evaluating the results AI produces. To use AI effectively, users must clearly define problems and assess the quality and relevance of the output. I also realized that AI can contribute not only to repetitive tasks but also to more strategic work." Looking ahead, Jeehong believes AI will continue to transform how organizations operate: “AI is already improving the efficiency of strategy and business development functions, and its role will only continue to grow. It significantly enhances the speed and effectiveness of research, information organization, and market analysis. At the same time, human judgment, empathy, and relationship-building remain essential. Understanding clients and markets—and translating those insights into effective strategies—are responsibilities that ultimately belong to people. Rather than replacing humans, AI will become a collaborative partner that enables deeper, more informed decision-making.”
- 작성일 2026-06-02
- 조회수 604
[BAMBA] Yoojin Jeong (BA MBA 2026) – The Trade Desk

Yoojin Jeong, Senior Account Manager at the global advertising platform The Trade Desk, is a student in SKK GSB's Business Analytics MBA (BA MBA) program. Yoojin works with advertising agencies and advertisers to help maximize the platform’s capabilities, enabling more efficient digital advertising campaigns. Speaking about her MBA, Yoojin said: "The hands-on classes are what I am enjoying most in the BA MBA. In particular, two stand out. The first was the Python bootcamp, where I got direct experience using Python to clean and pre-treat data before any analysis. It taught me early on that data handling and management make up about 80% of any modeling work, and that the quality of the foundation determines the quality of everything built on top of it. The second was Generative AI in Business, where I worked hands-on with LangFlow, a visual development environment that lets me design AI agents by arranging components and defining how data flows through the system. Seeing each block laid out visually made the entire pipeline and the underlying concepts much easier to grasp. Overall, this module significantly deepened my understanding of how AI systems are architected and how businesses can deploy them effectively." Yoojin had initially thought of AI as an “automation tool” or a “sophistication tool,” but through multiple courses in SKK GSB’s BA MBA program, she came to understand that AI is largely about data and structure. She explained: "I am able to automate tasks simply by prompting, but if I have a solid understanding of how to structure AI agents, put guardrails in place, and handle data properly, I can get 300% more value out of the same technology." She added that another key insight from her program was the importance of staying flexible. Each module runs for about six weeks, yet even within that short period, she observed how rapidly AI evolves. Having visibility into emerging capabilities and how others apply AI in different contexts is in itself a critical advantage. Reflecting further on her experience, Yoojin noted: "The biggest realization I had was that AI in business is not really about having the smartest model. It is about knowing what to let AI decide and where to keep humans in the loop. Across case studies, the companies winning with AI were not the ones with the most advanced technology, but the ones who had drawn that line clearly.” “This is exactly what I see every day in programmatic advertising. The Trade Desk processes one of the largest bidstream datasets—data shared while ads are being bought and sold automatically online—in the industry, evaluating millions of ad impression opportunities every second across the open internet. In this process, AI decides in real time which user to reach, at what price, and with which creative, at a scale no human team could ever match. But advertisers still choose where AI gets to optimize freely and where they want to hold the steering wheel themselves, whether that is brand safety, specific audiences, or strategic priorities.” “That balance is the real lesson. AI delivers the most value not when it replaces human judgment, but when humans are intentional about where to delegate and where to lead.” The biggest shift Yoojin therefore expects is that AI will move from optimizing parts of a campaign to running the entire workflow. Today, a marketer might spend hours clicking through targeting settings, budgets, and creative uploads. In the near future, she imagines simply telling an AI agent, "Launch an awareness campaign for our new product targeting young professionals in Seoul," and watching it build the campaign, generate creative variations, run its own QA, and go live. The human role will shift from operating the tool to directing it. Yooji highlighted the changes that AI will bring: "Customer communication will change just as dramatically. Instead of one ad shown to a million people, we will see one million versions of an ad, each tailored to a specific person and adjusting in real time based on how they respond.” “But the more AI can do, the more important it becomes to decide what it should not do. Brand safety, privacy, and creative integrity cannot be fully delegated. The marketers who win in this next era will not be the ones with the best AI tools, but the ones who are clearest about what they want AI to optimize for, and what they want it never to compromise on."
- 작성일 2026-05-27
- 조회수 731
[EMBA] Jinkyung Kim (EMBA 2027) – Kakao

Expanding a Career — and Asking Bigger Questions Jinkyung Kim, currently responsible for the B2B subscription service Kakao Biz Membership at Kakao, works as a Product Owner designing integrated business solutions that help small business owners operate more efficiently. He describes his role as “Building services that reduce operating costs and support the growth of business owners in Korea.” Having started his career at a global advertising agency, he reflected: “In the beginning, I focused on building brand awareness, but over time, I became more interested in how customers’ businesses actually grow.” After gaining experience in data- and CRM-driven business environments at Salesforce and Kakao, he gradually expanded his career beyond marketing into designing products and business structures. Looking ahead, his goal is to become a leader who can design and execute scalable business models powered by AI and global market opportunities. Why Kelley-SKK GSB EMBA — From Execution to Strategy Although Kim had already built substantial hands-on experience in sales leadership at Kakao, he felt the need to structure that experience within a broader management framework. “I realized I needed a framework that would allow me to clearly explain and persuade others why a particular strategy makes sense.” This led him to choose the Kelley-SKK GSB Executive MBA program. For him, the decision was not simply about earning another degree, but about gaining practical capabilities and a global network that could be directly applied in real business environments. The Kelley-SKK GSB EMBA is a Dual MBA program jointly offered by Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB and the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. One of the program’s greatest strengths is the opportunity to learn directly from Kelley faculty in Korea. Through the program, students systematically develop global management frameworks while also gaining access to Kelley’s worldwide alumni network. Considering the scalability of his current business and future expansion into global markets, he describes the Kelley-SKK GSB EMBA as “the most strategic choice” for his next stage of growth. “Not Intuition, but Logic” — How the MBA Changed His Decision-Making Before entering the program, Kim expected the MBA experience to be heavily theory-driven. In reality, however, he found the courses to be highly practical and immediately applicable to his work. “During the launch of Kakao Biz Membership, I applied break-even point (BEP) analysis and revenue forecasting methods learned in class directly to evaluating the business model. By structurally analyzing factors such as CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) and projected revenue, I was able to assess business viability far more logically and systematically than before.” He explained that while he previously relied largely on experience and intuition when making decisions, he now approaches problems by building hypotheses and validating them with data. He also actively applies strategic thinking frameworks that connect market dynamics, customer value, and revenue structures in order to organize and solve business challenges more effectively. According to Kim, one of the biggest changes has been his ability to redesign business master plans using strategic frameworks, moving away from intuition-based decision-making toward judgments grounded in logic and structure. He also noted that interacting with leaders from diverse industries has helped him view similar business challenges from broader and more structured perspectives. “After taking the course Leading High-Performance Sales Teams, I completely redefined my perspective on sales. In the past, I focused mainly on revenue performance, but now I see customer adoption and retention as far more fundamental indicators.” He added that poorly designed sales activity metrics and incentive structures can actually reduce organizational productivity — another key insight from the program. Going forward, he plans to focus on integrating Product, Sales, and Customer Experience strategies to build a repeatable growth structure rather than pursuing short-term performance alone. Jinkyung Kim is now moving beyond execution toward becoming a leader who evaluates and drives business with clearer logic, structure, and strategic judgment. The Kelley-SKK GSB EMBA continues to sharpen and accelerate that transformation.
- 작성일 2026-05-15
- 조회수 1005
[EMBA] Sarah Choi (EMBA 2026) – Boeing

Sarah Choi, an alumna of the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA (EMBA), works in the defense sector at Boeing in the U.S. and is currently on an overseas expat assignment in Korea. "I work closely with the Korean government, the Ministry of National Defense, and military aerospace and defense programs. My role sits at the intersection of global business, government relations, and international negotiations," she said. "The biggest reason I chose the SKK GSB EMBA was the global structure of the program. Obviously, my work is very international, so I didn't want an MBA that only covered the Korean market or only had a domestic perspective. In contrast, the SKK GSB EMBA combines a top U.S. business school with one of the best business schools in Korea. In particular, professors from Indiana University Kelley School of Business fly over from the U.S. and provide their exceptional insights," she highlighted. Reflecting on her time at SKK GSB, Sarah shared: "Of course, after a week of hard work, we had to go straight to school on Friday, and then we got a few hours of sleep before dedicating our entire Saturday to classes. But that actually made us feel a great sense of accomplishment. We didn't have our weekends for 18 months, but at the same time, we came out with 2 degrees and lifelong friendships." She also emphasized the strong relationships built during the program: "I would never have met these friends if I had stayed in the U.S. or not come here. We all understood the challenges of balancing work, life, and study. In the process, we developed a strong sense of camaraderie. It truly felt like a family, and that's something you can't buy with money." Sarah also noted how the program transformed her professional perspective: "The greatest change for me is that I now look at business problems in a more holistic way. Before the EMBA program, my work was highly specialized in contracts and negotiations, but through the program, I gained broader exposure to strategy, finance, innovation, AI, and leadership." Sarah also shared some tips for prospective students: "My advice is simple: definitely go for it. This was one of the best decisions I've made in my professional career. And make sure you truly engage in the experience beyond the classroom. Participate in activities with your classmates—whether it’s golfing, winery trips, or other social events. Those shared experiences and memories are what will truly define the program long after graduation. So enjoy the journey, and make the most of it."
- 작성일 2026-05-15
- 조회수 973
[EMBA] Gunho Chae (EMBA 2026) – Samsung Electronics

"I realized I needed to broaden my perspective beyond design and become someone who could lead projects and teams from a broader business standpoint." This realization led Samsung Electronics Principal Designer Gunho Chae to pursue the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA (EMBA) program. He works at Samsung Electronics' Corporate Design Office (CDO). Although he had extensive experience in hands-on creative work, he felt he lacked a deeper understanding of business strategy, finance, and management. “The EMBA became an opportunity to expand the perspective I had been confined to for years," he explained. One of the key reasons he chose the program was its global structure and intensive format. The opportunity to complete a dual-degree MBA within a relatively short period particularly appealed to him. Beyond the curriculum itself, he said the program’s international environment exceeded his expectations. His cohort included classmates from a wide range of professional backgrounds, while professors from a various countries brought extensive global business experience into the classroom. "The insights I gained from classmates and professors with diverse backgrounds were incredibly valuable," he noted. "Visiting Indiana University Bloomington truly made us feel part of the IU Kelley community and participating in the Global Immersion Program in Washington, D.C. allowed us to experience global business and policy issues firsthand. Especially as tariff issues under the Trump administration were becoming a major topic, hearing directly from policy experts on-site helped us gain a deeper understanding of global trade and policy dynamics. Although balancing work and study was challenging, he highlighted the strong sense of camaraderie among classmates helped everyone move forward together. "We spent nearly every weekend together for a year and a half," he recalled. "At some point, they stopped feeling like a professional network and started feeling like real friends. That sense of connection became one of the most meaningful parts of the experience." The program also gave him confidence to step outside his comfort zone professionally. Coming from a design background, he initially felt unfamiliar with subjects such as accounting and finance. However, repeatedly learning new disciplines helped him overcome his fear of unfamiliar challenges. "After going through the program, I became much more confident about taking on new projects and responsibilities," he explained. "I realized that even if something feels unfamiliar at first, I can learn it and adapt." He also believes the program’s fully English environment became an unexpected opportunity for growth. "Of course, it was challenging at first, but constantly listening to and using English helped all of us improve English naturally," he noted. "More importantly, I learned how to communicate my ideas clearly." He concludes: "Many people hesitate because they worry the program will be too difficult. But once you become part of the program, your classmates support each other and move forward together. If you are willing to commit yourself, you will grow far more than you expect."
- 작성일 2026-05-11
- 조회수 1011
[PMBA] Christine Seulki Kim (PMBA 2026) – Seegene

“I work in both English and Korean at Seegene. Since I work in both languages, I need a business school that delivers its curriculum in English to further improve my English proficiency. As SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University is the only Korean business school that offers a fully English-taught curriculum, I chose SKK GSB.” “I work in both English and Korean at Seegene. Since I work in both languages, I need a business school that delivers its curriculum in English to further improve my English proficiency. As SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University is the only Korean business school that offers a fully English-taught curriculum, I chose SKK GSB.” Christine Seulki Kim, a Senior Manager in Corporate Strategy at Seegene, a global biotechnology company specializing in in vitro molecular diagnostics, explained one of the reasons she chose the SKK GSB Professional MBA (PMBA) program from the various MBAs in Korea: “Although I couldn't go abroad to study as a working professional, I was eager to gain substantial knowledge and insights from top-tier professors in Korea. Therefore, SKK GSB, with its top-tier faculty, was the right choice for me.” With a background in biology, she found that her role in strategic planning required her to engage with a range of business models and to develop deeper insight into marketing functions. She has already actively applied business theories and concepts from the classroom to her work, particularly in finance and management, strengthening the persuasiveness of her projects. She explains: “I was able to learn how to deal with data and precise calculations in finance classes, and through management courses, I obtained concrete frameworks that helped convince different teams to collaborate on and drive my projects to success.” Even though she needs to spend her weekends doing assignments, Christine emphasizes that she would make the same decision again, highlighting how the frameworks and skill sets she has already gained from the SKK GSB PMBA have been highly valuable in her work: “I am learning core business concepts. If it were not for the MBA, I would not have had these learning opportunities. I have half a year left on my PMBA program, and I firmly believe that my two years at SKK GSB will be fantastic.”
- 작성일 2026-04-02
- 조회수 2195
[PMBA] Hyo Bong Kim (PMBA 2024) – Bae, Kim & Lee

Hyo Bong Kim, a lawyer who previously worked at Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service and now works at Bae, Kim & Lee (bkl), is an alumna of SKK GSB’s Professional MBA (PMBA) program. During her 11 years at the Financial Supervisory Service, she contributed to the enactment of the Act on the Protection of Virtual Asset Users. She explains that her decision to study business at SKK GSB stemmed from a clear need: “I needed a strong understanding of finance to interpret and enforce financial regulations. Not having studied finance in a structured way, I felt a strong desire to study finance in depth.” The program’s 100% English‑taught curriculum and the opportunity to engage with professionals from diverse industries were key factors in her decision. She explains: “When I was at SKK GSB, every weekend I worked on team projects with my peers. Working with outstanding peers was highly motivating. Through mingling with them in various industries, I was able to broaden my perspective.” She has benefitted from a variety of classes in her PMBA: “I especially focused on finance and marketing classes at SKK GSB. When I was working at the Financial Supervisory Service, finance classes helped strengthen my professional skills. Now, at bkl, the strategies and consumer psychology I learned in the marketing classes have equipped me to become a leading lawyer,” she emphasizes. Concluding, she advises potential applicants: “I recommend the SKK GSB Professional MBA program to those who have hands‑on experience and feel the need for rigorous learning. Of course, studying at business school while working is quite demanding. After graduation, you will definitely be able to see your growth and accomplishments.”
- 작성일 2026-04-01
- 조회수 1473
[FMBA] Jungmin Bae (FMBA 2017) – Samchully

At Samchully, Korea’s largest natural gas company, Jungmin Bae (FMBA 2017) now leads M&A initiatives, drawing directly on the structured business training he received at SKK GSB. He explains that before beginning his Full‑Time MBA (FMBA), he had already handled M&A and felt confident in his solid hands‑on experience and practical knowledge, but that the detailed theories he learned from diverse faculty members revealed clear areas for improvement and helped him to organize his experience more systematically. Today, he especially values how the FMBA helped him identify and strengthen weak points while giving him a more coherent framework for sourcing M&A targets, executing deals, and identifying new growth drivers for the company. Mr Bae chose SKK GSB’s FMBA because he wanted to build global competitiveness by learning business knowledge and skills in English alongside international students, and because of the program’s top global ranking among MBAs in Korea. He also emphasizes the appeal of opportunities to study at leading global institutions such as the Kelley School of Business and the MIT Sloan School of Management, which further broadened his perspective and network. Looking back, he highlights the intensive group projects as some of his most memorable experiences: although teams initially struggled to understand project requirements, they soon embraced the challenges together, and he recalls the periods of shared effort, learning, and camaraderie as being “filled with laughter and enjoyment.” For professionals who already have substantial hands‑on experience, Mr Bae strongly recommends the FMBA at SKK GSB. He believes the program provides a rare opportunity to systematize practical experience through theory, to deepen conceptual understanding, and to acquire practical tools that can be applied immediately in the workplace. This combination of rigorous academics, international exposure, and collaborative learning makes the program an ideal platform for advancing from operational roles into more strategic, leadership‑oriented positions.
- 작성일 2026-03-23
- 조회수 1412
[EMBA] Yura Hwang (EMBA 2027) – NAVER Z

"I was at a stage where I needed to take on a leadership role, not just a hands‑on role." This realization led AI expert and game‑planner‑turned‑author Yura Hwang to embark on the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA (EMBA) program. After majoring in computer engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, Ms Hwang started her career as a game planner at leading game companies in Korea, where she led end‑to‑end planning of game concepts, themes, and narrative structures. Over time, she felt it was a waste to leave her coding skills unused, so she moved to a private coding academy, teaching learners from children to adults. She later served as a branch manager at a private coding academy, where she worked closely with people from diverse backgrounds. Through those experiences, she was inspired to explore a new field and ultimately transitioned into the IT industry, joining a company that develops creator platforms. Leveraging both her coding skills and planning experience, she took on a new role as a Tech Evangelist at Naver Z. “I completed my BS degree at Sungkyunkwan University, so since I'd paid attention to my university, I knew SKK GSB's reputation. That is why I did not consider other schools' MBA programs as an option,” she explains. The opportunity to complete a dual‑degree MBA within 18 months particularly stood out. “Even though I could strategic planning and had honed my coding skills, I did not know business law, accounting, or finance,” she reflects. “After spending six months at SKK GSB, I knew how to distribute tasks to team members considering costs and Return on Investment [ROI]. I also earned the trust of the company's leadership by reporting my work with a clear focus on cost and other factors when I reported my tasks.” She concludes: “As an AI and digital expert, I believe that people who have insights, know what is needed in the market, and know how to manage people will thrive in the age of AI. I firmly believe an MBA nurtures those talents.”
- 작성일 2026-02-19
- 조회수 1933

Student & Alumni Stories