Sunyoung Yun leads human resources at Coach Korea as an HR business partner, overseeing a wide range of people-related tasks including compensation and benefits, talent acquisition, learning and development, performance management, organizational culture, and HR systems.

Reflecting on the role of HR, she said: “When organizations set business goals and work to achieve them, people are ultimately the ones who make those goals a reality. I believe the role of HR is to support employees, create an environment where they can perform at their best, and provide strategic direction that helps both individuals and the organization succeed. What makes HR particularly meaningful is that the impact of my work extends beyond my own performance. By supporting colleagues and helping employees grow, I can contribute to creating a positive impact within the organization and, ultimately, in society.”

As an HR Business Partner, she recognized the importance of understanding business operations in order to align people strategies with organizational objectives. This motivated her decision to pursue the Professional MBA at SKK GSB.

Explaining this decision, she said: “The success of an HR business partner depends on understanding the business and ensuring that human resources are utilized in the most effective way. To do that, I believed it was essential to gain a broader understanding of business functions, from accounting and finance to strategy and decision-making. The MBA provided an opportunity to develop that perspective.”

She also stressed the value of a global learning environment: “For professionals working in global companies such as Coach, or in any organization seeking to expand internationally, success requires more than technical expertise. Strong business communication skills, professional networks, and an understanding of different cultures are all important for continued growth in the global marketplace. SKK GSB’s PMBA offered exactly those. The opportunity to study entirely in English while learning alongside accomplished professors and experienced classmates made it the right choice for me.”

Among the many courses in the program, for Sunyoung, the accounting and finance courses were particularly impactful. Although HR professionals often focus on aspects such as employee motivation, development, and organizational effectiveness, she explained that understanding business performance through financial data is equally important.

“HR strategies should support business decisions, and that requires an understanding of financial performance and business metrics. Courses ranging from Business Accounting to Mergers and Acquisitions helped me strengthen my ability to interpret financial information and connect it to strategic HR decision-making.”

In addition to financial courses, she found classes focusing on organizational dynamics especially valuable. “Organizations bring together people with different responsibilities, priorities, and interests. Courses such as Conflict Management and Negotiation provided practical opportunities to develop skills for managing relationships, resolving disagreements, and working effectively with diverse stakeholders.”

Looking back on her career in HR, Sunyoung believes that a genuine interest in people is one of the most important qualities for success in the profession.

“HR is ultimately about achieving results through people and with people. For those who have a lasting interest in helping others grow and succeed, there is tremendous potential to build a rewarding career in HR. For professionals entering the field, payroll and recruitment often provide excellent starting points. Both areas offer valuable experience and serve as important foundations for future HR leadership roles. By continuously developing skills in employee motivation, communication, and change management, individuals can grow into effective HR professionals.”

Reflecting on her overall MBA experience, Sunyoung believes the program helped her successfully achieve two important goals: building a strong professional network and developing the knowledge she needed to become a more effective business partner.

“One of my goals was to build relationships with future leaders across industries, while also strengthening the business knowledge needed for my role. The MBA helped me accomplish both. Many professionals considering an MBA wonder what they will gain from the experience. For those aspiring to take on greater leadership responsibilities, knowledge, practical experience, and strong professional networks are invaluable assets. An MBA provides all three, making it an excellent investment in long-term career growth.”