[Maeil Business News] Jin Won Song, PMBA Class of 2020
- SKKGSB
- Hit6386
- 2021-04-29
- Q) Could you tell us about yourself briefly?
A) I am Jin Won Song, the CEO of Trust One Consulting Group. I graduated from the SKK GSB Professional MBA Program at Sungkyunkwan University in 2020. I worked as a global human resources (HR) manager at a large company while I was studying for my MBA. I am currently the CEO of a career consulting group, offering 1:1 career consulting, labor law consulting, and talent recommendation services..
Q) What are the reasons behind choosing to do the MBA, and why did you choose SKK GSB in particular?
A) Before I began the MBA program, as an HR Manager with five years’ experience, I contemplated whether I wanted a stable working life or the new challenge of starting my own business. I enrolled on the MBA course to identify how I would self-brand 'me' and my core abilities, and to acquire the expert knowledge required to operate my own business.
From the various MBA programs that I could undertake as I continued my work, there were three reasons why why I chose SKK GSB: its differentiated brand power, carefully selected human networks, and global insights.
First of all, SKK GSB has tangible brand power. SKK GSB has been ranked number one in Korea in the UK Financial Times (FT) MBA rankings every year, and it has shown unrivaled results in terms of employment rate, value for money, etc. Sungkyunkwan University boasts the highest employment rate in Korea, and I saw on LinkedIn how the alumni of SKK GSB are actively engaged in important positions. I paid close attention to such aspects since I was working as an HR manager.
The second reason was its carefully selected human networks. SKK GSB classes are 100% in English, so they provide a rather challenging learning environment. I imagined that students who enroll on such a program would be seeking a challenge, would be equipped with a global mindset and outstanding linguistic abilities, and would have a strict sense of self-discipline. I witnessed many students being recognized for their outstanding achievements, and many worked overseas, so I wanted to acquire a solid network by interacting and creating synergy with such energetic people. In the end, I even ended up starting a business with the people I met on the MBA program. SKK GSB therefore served as a turning point in my life and career.
Lastly, I thought that I could gain global insights. At SKK GSB, students can actively engage in discussions with foreign lecturers (who make up 70% of the faculty), foreign expats in Korea, and key personnel from multinational companies. The students can learn about global management trends, and acquire insights from such an environment. Being able to apply various global case studies I studied in class to actual work was an added bonus. This was all very beneficial to me as I was considering expanding my business overseas.
Q) Please share how what you have learned during your MBA course has contributed towards your actual work or career.
A) What I learned on the MBA program is twofold: in personal terms it helps me to define my self-branding, and in business terms it helps me to perform soundly.
I learned in depth about creative problem-solving skills through the discussions I had with colleagues from various backgrounds. While I was working in the corporate HR team, applying what I’d learned on the MBA program, I identified the characteristics of other departments' business, and learned about labor laws overseas jurisdictions where we operate. I could then apply this to make numerous HR management plans. As a result, I received a positive review and was recognized as key personnel, so I then became involved in more important HR tasks. After starting my own business, as I offer HR management consultation and talent recommendation services, what I learned from the MBA program has been of great help in accurately analyzing and grasping the essence of various issues encountered in a real-life management environment. In this regard, I believe that the MBA course will continue to be of great help for my personal branding in the future as well.
- Q) What was the biggest challenge you encountered while completing the MBA course?
A) While time managemt was a challenge, since I had to work and study simultaneously, I could overcome this because it was a choice I made myself. That is why I see self-motivation and strong will as important factors when choosing to undertake an MBA program.
Although it was physically tiring to prepare for classes and complete assignments on weekends, I was able to finish my two years of studies thanks to the consideration of my family, coworkers and friends. I also found consistent exercise helpful. I could thus develop into a more mature person by overcoming such challenging times.
Q) Please give a word of advice to prospective applicants who are considering an MBA.
A) Finding the 'one best way' by defining one's core abilities and values is becoming increasingly important in managing one's individual career management these days. I believe that an MBA program is the best training place to explore one's career in all directions because it is individuals who choose how to manage their careers these days, not companies.
The management environment is changing even faster in the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability to identify hidden needs in markets, and to turn these into results purely based on one's ability and insight will be seen as more valuable than ever both within and outside organizations. By promoting simultaneous cultivation of soft and hard skills, I trust that an MBA program will allow individuals to define their self-branding and to yield solid results inside and outside businesses.
Jin wong Song (PMBA 2020, Trustone Consulting , we@trustone-consulting.com)
Original Article in Korean: https://www.mk.co.kr/news/special-edition/view/2021/04/406905/