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

[PMBA] [Korea Economic Daily] SKK GSB, an opportunity to gain new perspectives, growth and network

SKK GSB Professional MBA alumnus Mr. Insub Yeo, who is specialized in the healthcare industry for over 15 years, shared his experiences at SKK GSB. He highlighted gaining new perspectives, growth, and network. Read the full interview below: Q1. First of all, please introduce yourself briefly. Hello, I am Insub Yeo, a student in the 11th cohort of SKK GSB's Professional MBA. I currently work at Medtronic Korea, a global healthcare company, leading the Market Development and Marketing Team. Our main tasks are discovering niche markets and creating new business plans and strategies for sustainable growth. Being in charge of a team that does a job that can be a catalyst for the company's long-term change is a huge responsibility, but it's also rewarding at the same time. Q2. What made you decide to study for an MBA? The biggest reason was that I wanted to become a business expert with expertise that was difficult to harness through experience alone. During my 15-year career in the healthcare industry, I have been recognized for outstanding work, and have received numerous in-house awards. I am proud that I have accumulated insight and expertise in the market on my own through various practical experiences in sales and marketing. Nevertheless, I felt there was a limit to experience alone. I wanted to make new solutions by understanding my experiences more clearly and acquiring professional management knowledge. Another reason was that my goal was to prepare a career as a global leader. I had planned to work at the Asia Pacific headquarters, and to take the MBA course to become more competitive in the global environment. Although it has changed a bit due to various circumstances, such as the pandemic, I am still preparing to become a global leader who can lead a team anywhere in the world. I therefore chose SKK GSB because I could study an MBA in a global environment. Q3. Has what you are learning on the MBA helped you in practice? Please share your experience. The SKK GSB Professional MBA program consists of three major areas that must be well understood at the executive level: finance, management, and marketing. I led the marketing team, and focused on management and marketing courses. Because the teaching method is mainly through case studies, I found business applications naturally. The most memorable class was the Human Resources Management course in Gangneung. This class took the form of a three-day residency. This was my first face-to-face class, as I'd enrolled during the height of the pandemic, and it was also fun to hang out with the professor and classmates. Over a few days, I gained a lot of realization by examining human resources and operating cases of other world-class companies from the perspective of human resources and management, away from the sales and marketing perspective I was familiar with. At the leadership level, there is a tendency to focus instead on performance. I felt that the alignment process that puts organizational goals and personal growth on the same line, that is, the alignment of dreams, is essential. After my residency, I applied alignment with my team, strengthening our teamwork. Q4. What is the most difficult part of doing an MBA? Setting priorities and keeping them seemed the most difficult—to catch all three rabbits from work, family, and the MBA. When I started my MBA, the company's large-scale organizational change made me take on a broader team of business areas. My precious child was also born, and I didn't have much time to spare. Since the MBA program involves high-intensity study, there were indeed times when I felt overwhelmed. However, while studying on the program, I was satisfied that I was developing together in terms of work and abilities. In particular, it was an opportunity for me to find new stimulation, growth and motivation, thanks to my MBA friends who demonstrated powerful teamwork all along. Q5. What advice would you give to students beginning at SKK GSB or to those who are considering applying? If you dream of becoming an expert in your field, or want to become a world leader, I highly recommend considering SKK GSB. The school has ranked first in Korea in the Financial Times (FT) MBA rankings for 11 consecutive years, and has a globally recognized curriculum. Not only that, but you will be able to develop further through the network of alumni who have motives brought from various backgrounds. Related article: Korea Economic Daily on October 13 https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/2022101215301
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 2414
[PMBA] Alumni Interview_Chanjoong Kim

[The Korea Economic Daily - Alumni Interview] "My MBA is a key point in my resume." Chanjoong Kim, Professional MBA class of 2019 I'm Kim Chan-joong. I work for Nespresso Korea in the Finance & Control Team. My job is financial planning, so I analyze the company's recent performance and predict future results. More specifically, my team is responsible for a variety of tasks to improve B2B sales and revenue, and we have a review and guidance role to analyze promotion performance and to achieve maximum performance within our budget. What MBA course did you take? I graduated from SKK GSB’s Professional MBA course. SKK GSB offers students on this course an evening program and dual MBA opportunities at Indiana University, USA. As a result, I completed a full-time MBA program at Kelley School of Business in one year, and when I graduated, I obtained an MBA from both Sungkyunkwan University and Indiana University. What prompted you to choose this MBA course? I had completed my bachelor’s degree abroad, so I decided to enter an MBA to expand my network in Korea. There are many good MBA programs in Korea, but there were many reasons why I chose SKK GSB’s Professional MBA. First of all, it was recognized as the best MBA course in the country by the Financial Times from the UK. Another great advantage was that all courses and classes were conducted in English, and finally, I could obtain a dual degree in the MBA program at the prestigious Indiana University Kelley School in the United States. Did what you learned on your MBA course actually help you at work? I went through SKK GSB’s Professional MBA course, then concentrated on business analytics in the Kelley School MBA course. As a result, before entering the IU Kelley MBA, because I had focused on predicting the future based on analysis of corporate performance, I could grasp Predictive Analytics and Prescriptive Analytics after graduating from the MBA. Predictive Analytics helps us understand overall sales, marketing, and strategy trends behind performance figures, and helps us predict the future; and Prescriptive Analytics gives a more sophisticated analysis of what departments need to do to prepare for this predicted future and how they may prepare to benefit the company. Through my varied MBA courses, I gained a broad understanding of business areas beyond my financial field, and learned to use data analytics tools to find meaningful results, enabling more accurate analysis and facilitating critical business decisions. For example, sales of Nespresso's home café products rose significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, from the perspective of financial planners, prescription analysis should be used to predict and prepare for a drop in sales in the post-pandemic era. It was necessary to predict when the pandemic would ease, and how the economy would be at that time; then we could consider what our company should do around that time. There are many business areas to consider, but the results derived from analysis technologies are shared with other departments at business operations meetings, where they collaborate on how to respond. The MBA experience has helped us understand this more broadly, deeply, and accurately from the perspective of the company's business as a whole. What other knowledge or experience did you gain from SKK GSB’s Professional MBA program that was helpful or valuable? I was in charge of B2B sales before starting my MBA. Among the subjects I studied, Prof. Rockney Walters' marketing class helped me learn more about sales and marketing departments’ work. This made it easier to understand the overall B2B business, and it helped me understand various trends in management. I also received a lot of help in terms of network expansion, which was one of my original intentions on entering the school. I still keep in touch with MBA colleagues, and we can still interact with other students and alumni at events such as golf competitions. In particular, a group chat room with all professional MBA students is very helpful. There are industry-specific gatherings in fields such as IT, healthcare, travel, and startups; since our network includes experienced workers, we actively share recruitment information, and through this, many of us have also changed jobs. Did the MBA course help you develop your career? The term ‘MBA’ in my résumé is itself a keyword that represents me. It's a title that can only be obtained by investing time and effort to grow even though you're busy with your job. Perhaps that's why when I changed jobs, I passed the document screening process more easily than before, and I was treated well in the salary negotiation. I think when you reach a higher-ranking position, the true value of the MBA experience is expressed more. What was the best part of your MBA program? The SKK GSB Professional MBA is an evening MBA course, and it is a big advantage to provide a dual degree program with Indiana University Kelley School. Students on this course can get the most for the least amount of time and money. I think I got two prestigious MBAs—one in Korea, and one in the United States—at the same time with minimal financial investment, and this advantage clearly sets me apart from graduates of MBA programs at other universities. It was also very beneficial to be able to enjoy both domestic and overseas networks as an alumnus of two prestigious universities. What was the most difficult thing while you are studying? It was hard to digest a large amount of reading material while working during the day and raising children at night. In particular, many subjects focused on business cases from the Harvard Business Review, so I had to read and digest these materials in advance to keep up with the class smoothly. I shared the contents of the case with team members in advance to broaden my understanding, then put my child to bed, and finished the day by reading materials late in the evening. Please advise prospective students The biggest problem is delaying enrolling in a course. I hope you decide to invest in your own future. Starting at a young age, making great relationships earlier, and applying your studies to your work quickly will be a shortcut to creating a better career. Even though I graduated only recently, I believe the MBA experience is more valuable than any other investment. Related article: https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/2023041189381
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 2510
[EMBA] Alumni Interview_Chanjoong Kim (Indiana Kelley-SKK GSB EMBA 2021)

“I have gained more than dual degrees through the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA.” I am Kim Chan-Joong, an Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA graduate from the Class of 2021. I am currently working as a manager at PwC Consulting Operations Headquarters. Before pursuing my MBA, I worked for over 11 years in various sectors of DL Group (formerly Daelim Group), including the Trading Division, Chemical Business Division, and Holding Company. At PwC Consulting, I leverage my experience in the EPC/chemical industry to work primarily on projects involving end-to-end process improvement, digital innovation, and new business development for chemical, energy, and EPC companies. (EPC: Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning) Why did you choose the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA? There were several reasons why I chose the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA program. The first reason is that it offers a dual degree, the 1+1 MBA program. Being able to receive MBA degrees from both Indiana University Kelley School of Business and Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB was very appealing to me. I liked that the program was operated jointly by both business schools and conducted entirely in English. Significant attractions were the synergy created by the combined faculty from both schools, and the opportunity to be part of the alumni networks of both SKK GSB and IU Kelley. I considered it a valuable opportunity to "Buy one, get three or more" rather than "Buy one, get one" regarding the value I could gain from the program. I had a strong desire to expand my professional network through an MBA program, so I initially focused on EMBA programs among various types of MBA programs. However, most domestic EMBA programs were targeted toward executives, or required a minimum of 10–15 years of work experience, creating high entry barriers. On the other hand, the SKK GSB EMBA program allowed applicants with eight years’ work experience to apply. I therefore had no reason to hesitate since I was precisely at the eight-year mark. It seems that people typically pursue MBA programs primarily for three reasons: career transition, networking, and knowledge enrichment. Likewise, I also wanted to enhance my business knowledge and skills through an MBA program. With all the classes conducted in English, I had the opportunity to learn from passionate and experienced professionals and engage in lively discussions. It was an honor to be surrounded by highly motivated and competent classmates and to spend a year and a half in this EMBA program. What did you learn in the MBA course to help you with your work? When I transitioned from the Strategy Planning Team to the Finance/IR Department, I was tasked with competitor analysis and stock valuation for peer groups. It would have been quite daunting if I had only experienced strategic planning tasks. However, during the EMBA program, specifically in the Corporate Finance course, we had a team assignment that involved comparing and analyzing the financial soundness of target companies based on stock valuation methodologies and various economic indicators. I utilized the analysis tools I had developed during that assignment to complete my management report successfully. In the Effective Negotiation course, we conducted a simulation exercise called "Recruiter Role," which involved negotiations between job seekers and employers. This assignment proved very useful when negotiating my salary during a job transition. Although it was initially approached as a simulation exercise for learning purposes, I took the role-play sheet very seriously during my actual salary negotiation. As a result, I reached agreements in directions where the company couldn't provide certain things due to its position. In return, I negotiated for more than I initially wanted. Did the MBA course help your career? After graduating from the Indiana Kelley–SKK GSB Executive MBA program, I had two job transitions, and it also helped me move to my current position at PwC Consulting. It had an impact because, during job interviews for positions requiring experience, the focus is usually on work experience. However, I received questions about my MBA experience right from the start. Thanks to this, I stood out to many interviewers. I received higher evaluations for having an MBA and for demonstrating a passion for the MBA program alongside my professional experience. What was the best or most memorable thing in your MBA course? One of the most memorable experiences was creating a subject-specific mentoring system among classmates struggling with their studies. For example, for finance or accounting courses, we had classmates who held the CFA certification; for communication courses, we had classmates working in PR agencies; and for digital courses, we had classmates from Microsoft. In this way, different classmates who were knowledgeable in specific areas would explain complex concepts efficiently and take the time to answer any questions. As a result, the time required to understand and delve deep into unfamiliar subjects was significantly reduced. Our overall understanding of the subjects also improved significantly. By willingly investing their time and effort in pursuing the collective benefit rather than competing, the entire cohort was able to progress. In this period, we all experienced the ideal organizational model. What was the most challenging part of your MBA program? Finding a proper balance between family, work, and studies was challenging. As a student, I had a three-year-old child and was also on the verge of a job promotion. In addition to attending classes on Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays, there were case study reviews, various assignments, quizzes, and exam preparations to handle. Juggling work, parenting, and MBA studies felt overwhelming initially. Regarding academic challenges, there were initial difficulties in adapting, but they were quickly resolved thanks to the mentoring system among classmates, as mentioned earlier. Surprisingly, parenting issues were also resolved with the help of MBA peers. Along with five classmates with children of a similar age, we regularly took our kids to kids’ cafés, art activities, farms, and hands-on experiences on Sundays and public holidays. It was called the "Daddy, Where Are We Going?" gathering. This gave our children memorable experiences and our spouses much-needed relaxation time. It also helped change our families’ mindset to support our MBA journey actively. Of course, it was also a time to bond even more closely with peers in similar situations. At that time, I worked in the Strategic Planning Department, where many tasks involved researching unfamiliar industries or sectors based on management directives. In such cases, I benefited greatly from the diverse backgrounds and expertise of my EMBA peers, who had 10–20 or more years of experience in various industries. In addition, I listened to detailed explanations about industry trends and structures from industry experts, which helped streamline my research process and significantly reduce the time for trial and error. Please advise those considering beginning their MBA program. Your present situation results from countless choices you made in the past. Just like I did, you are grappling with numerous reasons why you should pursue an MBA program and many other reasons why you don't have to. However, compared to those who haven't even started contemplating, you have already taken significant steps. Consider whether the regrets of choosing a particular path or the lingering sense of missed opportunities and guilt for not selecting other courses weigh more heavily in your mind. Then, make wise decisions.
- 작성일 2023-08-01
- 조회수 2551

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