Sangjoon An is a project manager in HS Hyosung Advanced Materials’ Asia sales team responsible for steel cord. After heading the North America and Europe Export Team for their Tire Reinforcement Performance Unit, he is now a member of the company's AI Transformation Task Force, helping drive AI-driven innovation across the organization.

Reflecting on his decision to pursue the Professional MBA (PMBA) at SKK GSB, he said: "Spending many years in one organization has helped me to develop a deep understanding of the products I have worked with and the business. At the same time, I felt there was a risk that my perspective would narrow and that I would become set in my ways. The pandemic and the rapid rise of AI led me to believe that I needed to reinvent myself to keep pace with the changes ahead. The PMBA at SKK GSB provided the perfect opportunity to do exactly that."

Before enrolling, Sangjoon carefully considered various MBA programs. Ultimately, he chose the PMBA because he wanted to learn alongside professionals from different generations and backgrounds, exchanging ideas as peers and discovering new approaches to business challenges.

Explaining this decision, he said: "What attracted me most to the PMBA was the opportunity to discuss issues with classmates from different generations and industries, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences. Learning alongside talented professionals who demonstrate exceptional potential in their respective fields has been truly inspiring. Looking back, I can confidently say that my career can be divided into two distinct chapters: before the PMBA and after the PMBA."

Among the many courses in the program, Sangjoon has found the finance courses particularly meaningful. Beyond the professors’ academic expertise, he appreciates the practical insights they share from their own professional experience, which have enabled him to develop a deeper and broader understanding of finance and business.

"As someone working in manufacturing, where the focus is naturally centered on specific products and markets, my opportunities to exchange ideas across different industries had been relatively limited. Through the PMBA, I had the chance to learn alongside professionals of different ages and from a wide range of industries. Hearing how they approached the same business issues from completely different perspectives significantly broadened my way of thinking."

Reflecting on his overall MBA experience, Sangjoon believes one of the PMBA’s greatest strengths is that it enables professionals to continue advancing their careers while pursuing graduate study. He also highlights the value of studying every course and completing every assignment in English as this helps students to develop practical communication skills that can be applied immediately in global business environments.

Sangjoon concludes: "I would highly recommend the PMBA to professionals who want to broaden their perspectives without stepping away from their careers. The program brings together participants from remarkably diverse industries and age groups, creating an exceptional learning environment where professionals continuously gain new insights from one another while developing the knowledge and skills needed to navigate today's rapidly changing business landscape."