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- [FMBA] [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."
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- 작성일 2024-07-09
- 조회수 1053
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- [FMBA] [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."
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- 작성일 2024-06-24
- 조회수 1021
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- [FMBA] [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.”
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- 작성일 2024-06-03
- 조회수 1435
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- [FMBA] Chanya Temkampol (FMBA 2023, Hyundai Engineering)
- I‘m Chanya Temkampol from Thailand. I completed my full-time MBA program as part of the Class of 2023, graduating in February of the following year. Before my journey in Korea, I spent two years contributing to the financial sector as a Consumer Banking Analyst with Citibank in Thailand. Post-MBA, I am working as a Human Resources professional at Hyundai Engineering. ▷ What motivated you to choose the Full-Time MBA program? My decision to pursue the Full-Time MBA program at SKK GSB is rooted in the program's curriculum, which I find exceptionally applicable to real-world business scenarios. The inclusion of courses such as the investment portfolio course, global field trip, and applied business projects resonates with my commitment to gaining practical, hands-on experience. ▷ Have the lessons from your MBA program proven beneficial in your work? The diverse composition of my MBA class has played a significant role in enhancing my professional adaptability. The ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds has been a valuable asset in fostering collaboration and contributing positively to the workplace environment. ▷ Has pursuing an MBA contributed to your career development? Before embarking on this journey, I lacked any background or experience related to Korea. The MBA program has served as a strategic stepping stone, facilitating my integration into the Korean business environment in several significant ways. ▷ Could you describe the assistance you received from the CDC(Career Development Center)? I actively and extensively utilized the services provided by the Career Development Center (CDC) during my time at SKK GSB. Especially during my last semester, which marked a critical period for job applications, I made it a priority to visit the CDC regularly. On average, I engaged with the center at least once a week. As the interview stages approached, I actively participated in mock interviews organized by the CDC. These sessions were instrumental in honing my interview skills and building confidence. The CDC provided valuable insights into crafting effective internship applications and helped me strategize for success in securing a meaningful internship opportunity. ▷ What advice would you give to individuals (prospective students) who are contemplating pursuing an MBA? Connect with current students and alumni at SKK GSB to gain insights into their experiences and take advantage of the networking opportunities provided by SKK GSB. SKK GSB has a track record of providing a transformative MBA experience, making it an excellent choice to align with your career goals. Tailor your approach to make the most of what SKK GSB has to offer for a successful and impactful MBA journey.
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- 작성일 2024-05-16
- 조회수 1381
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- [FMBA] Sally Marshall(FMBA 2023, SKT)
- I completed my Full-time MBA with SKK GSB and graduated in 2023 with specializations in Management and Business Analytics. I applied to SK Telecom as part of their Global Junior Talent recruitment program and entered the company as an HR Manager. SKK GSB’s MBA program greatly helped me to prepare for this role, and I have been able to apply the knowledge I gained on a daily basis. ▷ What motivated you to choose the Full-Time MBA program? Coming from a non-business background with limited work experience and seeking a change in career path into HR, it was difficult to find opportunities. I saw undertaking an MBA program as an excellent opportunity to develop my skills in a new area and gain a higher-level qualification to give myself more of a competitive advantage. Knowing that SKK GSB has been consistently ranked as the number 1 MBA program in Korea, the choice was easy. ▷ Have the lessons from your MBA program proven beneficial in your actual work? When working with employee data for insights and creating reports I often draw on skills I learnt in courses such as Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions. Additionally, Strategic Management concepts have guided me in aligning HR practices with overall business objectives, such as talent development programs, that support the company’s growth strategy. Overall, the MBA program has enhanced my ability to contribute to my team through leveraging the skills I developed in my Management and Business Analytics tracks along with the various other courses I studied. ▷ Has pursuing an MBA contributed to your career development? Pursuing an MBA has provided me with a strong foundation in business principles, strategic thinking, and leadership skills that have been instrumental in advancing my career. Through coursework, networking opportunities, and real-world projects, I gained valuable insights into various industries and developed the ability to analyze complex business challenges effectively. Additionally, the MBA experience equipped me with the confidence to change my career path and pursue new opportunities that I would not have had previously. ▷ Could you describe the assistance you received from the CDC(Career Development Center)? The Career Development Center offered me a lot of support throughout my journey in the MBA. The opportunity to have 1:1 sessions to review job applications and practice interviews enabled me to increase my confidence in my ability to perform well. ▷ What advice would you give to individuals (prospective students) who are contemplating pursuing an MBA? While the study is challenging, the program is designed incredibly well and the faculty is amazing. The knowledge, experience, and network I have gained have proven invaluable throughout current professional career.
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- 작성일 2024-05-09
- 조회수 1234
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- [FMBA] Hanhee Lee(FMBA 2024)
- I am Hanhee Lee from the Full-Time MBA Class of 2024. I did my 2023 summer internship at global automotive parts company as an automotive components project manager, and I was offered a full-time position in January. I am very excited to start my new career at one of the biggest global automotive parts company. ▷ What motivated you to choose the Full-Time MBA program? My previous position at my former workplace focused on technology sales, particularly competitor analysis and market research. Due to a lack of management-related expertise and data analysis, it was difficult to analyze and utilize data in the process of discovering relevant information from large data sets and constructing a company's mid-to-long-term strategic plan. As a result of my struggle to find solutions to compensate for these inadequacies and to grow, I learned about the Sungkyunkwan University Full-Time MBA program. SKK GSB is in the vanguard of the digital and data-driven revolution, with a specific analytics-focused track, and I thought this was a brilliant way to look at the sector from different angles while also addressing pressing matters about my career. ▷ Have the lessons from your MBA program proven beneficial in your actual work? Now, I am working as a project manager, and I manage projects from the beginning to the end. From the quotation phase to the completion of the project, it's crucial to manage resources effectively and establish a timeline for product development. During the development phase, maintaining quality and fostering communication with collaborative partners are essential. Furthermore, understanding how to manage the supply chain post-production is imperative. Through my Full-Time MBA program, I gained knowledge in data analysis, sales and marketing, communication, and more. This knowledge enables me to become a master of the overall project management process. ▷ Has pursuing an MBA contributed to your career development? If I had chosen not to pursue an MBA degree, I would just have been a common worker in a not-so-special place. My MBA degree has helped me broaden my vision and has given me the courage and ability to make my dream become reality. My experiences and MBA degree have been acknowledged, my employer would like to give me opportunities to grow as a team leader or even a business unit manager. Having completed an MBA program conducted entirely in English, my employer is also considering giving me the opportunity to be placed in a global office. ▷ Could you describe the assistance you received from the CDC(Career Development Center)? I mainly utilized the services of the Career Development Center (CDC) to look for my summer internship. I had a very specific industry and position I wanted to pursue, and the CDC was very approachable when preparing for this. an foreign Instructor of the Career Development Center, helped me write a better resume and edit my LinkedIn profile to attract more recruiters when they are searching for candidates. Director of the Career Development Center, also helped me connect with alumni who are already in the field or who might be interested in recruiting me. Through this help, I was able to gain more insight and information into the industry I want to work in. ▷ What advice would you give to individuals (prospective students) who are contemplating pursuing an MBA? Be more specific and honest with yourself about why you want to pursue an MBA. There are many master’s degrees you can pursue, but why business administration? Why in Korea? Why does it have to be SKK GSB? For me, SKK GSB was the best option because it had a business analytics track and it was taught 100% in English.
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- 작성일 2024-04-30
- 조회수 1684
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- [BAMBA] Nagendra Prasad Munjapu (BA MBA 2024) | Citibank Korea
- I am delighted to share my feedback on the exceptional experience I have had as a BA MBA student (international) at our prestigious SKK GSB. This journey has been nothing short of remarkable, and I owe a great deal of my gratitude to the world-class faculty who have played an instrumental role in making my learning experience both smooth and profoundly interesting. The caliber of our faculty members is truly outstanding. Their rich teaching experience and diverse cultural backgrounds bring a unique perspective to our classrooms. This diversity not only fosters a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for international students but also provides us with a holistic view of the global business landscape. The faculty's commitment to excellence is evident in their dedication to guiding us through the intricacies of business analytics, making complex concepts accessible, and ensuring that we grasp them effectively. One aspect that particularly impressed me was the meticulously designed academic curriculum. The curriculum not only inspired my decision to join this course but also continues to inspire me every day. It strikes a perfect balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application, giving us the tools and insights needed to excel in the ever-evolving world of business analytics. The program has a unique ability to adapt to the changing demands of the industry, ensuring that we are always on the cutting edge of knowledge. Another highlight of this program is the incredible diversity of our student body. Meeting individuals from various domains and top companies has been an eye-opening experience. Each person in our class brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, making every interaction a source of inspiration. Collaborating with such talented peers not only enhances our learning but also broadens our horizons as we gain insights into different industries and cultures. It's not easy to work five days a week and attend business school on Saturdays; my classmates made it much easier for me, and together we have completed a year already within no time! What sets this program apart is the proactive approach to student feedback. The management's commitment to continuous improvement is commendable. They genuinely value our input and take concrete steps to address our suggestions and concerns. This dedication to refining the program ensures that each subsequent course becomes even better than the last. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone seeking a truly global MBA experience in business analytics. It's not just a program; it's a journey that transforms individuals into well-rounded, globally aware business professionals. The combination of top-notch faculty, a thoughtfully crafted curriculum, and a diverse cohort of students makes this program an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth. I am incredibly grateful for this experience, and am excited to see where it leads me in the future.
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- 작성일 2023-12-19
- 조회수 1840
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- [BAMBA] Sookyong Lee (BA MBA 2024) | GlaxoSmithKline - GSK Korea
- The desire to learn the fundamentals of data analysis and to receive formal training in data interpretation drove me to pursue the Business Analytics program. I chose the SKK GSB BA MBA program for two reasons: it provides technical training through a rigorous and practical curriculum, and at the same time, this program emphasizes business insights and implications that can be derived from data due to its unique combination of data analytics and an MBA program. Multiple hands-on team projects using real-life datasets, along with endless discussions with classmates, helped me shape my data skills and develop the ability to communicate findings from any dataset. Learning how other industries utilize and analyze data through class discussions was also an invaluable lesson for me. Through this program, I was able to enhance my technical skillset and strengthen my data analysis expertise, building on my business domain and previous marketing experience. This journey brought me one step closer to a data-centric position, shifting from being a marketing specialist to an omnichannel analyst. For those like me who want to pursue a broad range of data-related careers, this program will equip and introduce you to industry data experience through experiential learning opportunities.
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- 작성일 2023-12-19
- 조회수 1531
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- [BAMBA] Agnes Zhang (BA MBA 2024) | Samsung C&T
- Through my work experience, I saw the impact of data analytics and how it could significantly impact businesses. However, I realized that I lacked the necessary skills to harness this potential, and was determined to equip myself with the requisite knowledge and expertise. This realization led me to enroll in the Business Analytics MBA program. My experience in this program was truly enriching: the coursework was comprehensive, and the professors, who were experts in their respective fields, provided valuable and practical insights that I could immediately apply to my work. The case studies were also fascinating, and added depth to my understanding. Despite the challenges of balancing work and study, I received immense support from my peers, who not only made the journey enjoyable, but also contributed significantly to my learning. Through this program, I now feel better equipped and prepared to thrive in a technology-driven world, ready to take on new challenges head-on!
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- 작성일 2023-12-19
- 조회수 1537
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- [BAMBA] Dongwook Seo (BA MBA 2024) | Samsung University
- I had the privilege of being a part of the Business Analytics MBA. I can confidently say that it has been an incredibly transformative experience and endeavor, with three standout features that I found as follows. First of all, the digital literacy that I am acquiring has become my top competitive advantage. No matter what business field or industry you are working in, I truly believe digital literacy should be prioritized to excel along with the company. This program goes beyond theory, providing hands-on learning experiences that allow students to apply digital literacy in real-world scenarios. What also sets the BA MBA apart is its commitment to practical learning. The program is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about applying that knowledge in practice. I was immersed in real-world business challenges, working on projects that required me to analyze data and make data-driven decisions. This practicality has been invaluable in preparing myself to become a skilled and competitive professional at work. To realize these two aspects, the program is supported by the utmost efforts of the faculty. Professors are always open to their students, facilitating critical thinking and fostering lots of interactions not only between students but also between students and instructors. Professors are not only passionate educators but also mentors who are willing to dedicate themselves to their students' success. In a nutshell, digital literacy, practicality, and the best faculty are the benefits from my real experience. For anyone who wants to become a forward-thinking professional in their field, I highly recommend this program to stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of business.
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- 작성일 2023-12-19
- 조회수 1716