Alumni Stories 게시판목록 | Sungkyunkwan University ( SKKU ) SKK GSB

[EMBA] Jiyoung Kim (EMBA 2025, KB Financial Group, KB Bank)

From technology expert to business leader Jiyoung Kim (EMBA, Class of 2025), an alumna of SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University, worked as a Software Architect at Samsung Electronics for 18 years, overseeing mobile device management and system development. She then became a Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services, providing AI and cloud solutions to over 250 firms across industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and aviation. She is currently leading the Second Financial AI Center at KB Financial Holding Company, building an AI platform for the first time in the financial industry. In particular, Jiyoung realized that making an impact on business—not just technological innovation—was crucial in her journey toward becoming a tech leader. At AWS, she engaged in conversation with C-level executives, repeatedly discussing the question, "What impact will this technology have on business growth?" She strongly felt the need for strategic thinking and business acumen. Against this backdrop, she chose the Kelley-SKK GSB Executive MBA (EMBA) program at SKK GSB, Sungkyunkwan University. Jiyoung stated that the EMBA program, with its well-structured and practice-oriented curriculum, was the right fit for her. Managing People & Organization class made her rethink her leadership style, providing a new perspective on how to lead an organization. In addition, she was impressed by the faculty, unlike her previous professors in Korea. The faculty of the Kelley-SKK GSB EMBA program didn't just deliver lectures but also exchanged opinions with students as thought partners. The U.S. education system provided her with a new learning experience. After completing the EMBA program, Jiyoung has made the transition from technology expert to business leader. She focused on the value she provided to the organizations and customers rather than on technology itself. Through this transition, Jiyoung has reached a significant turning point. She expressed that her MBA is not just a degree but a starting point for growth and new opportunities. Lastly, she advised prospective MBA students, "It is important to identify your needs and make a decision rather than wait for the perfect timing." She said that the EMBA program was challenging, and through this experience, she gained a deeper understanding of business and achieved professional growth. Pursuing an EMBA at SKK GSB has been a pivotal turning point in her career and personal life.
- 작성일 2025-04-28
- 조회수 155
[EMBA] Yoonjung Choi(EMBA 2025, Coupang)

A Must-Have Choice for Communicating with Global Business Leaders: KELLEY-SKK GSB Executive MBA Leaders who have studied abroad and gained experience in global corporations naturally master business terminology and concepts. To communicate effectively with C-level executives in global companies, one must possess a solid understanding of management and economics, as well as strong English communication skills. Coming from an engineering background and working in a global company, I keenly realized the necessity of this academic foundation. Fortunately, my team leader, who had completed an MBA at the Kelley School, recommended the KELLEY-SKK GSB EMBA program when I brought it up, encouraging me to give it a try. Throughout the 18-month EMBA journey, I learned key concepts behind the complex business terms that had once been difficult to grasp. Now, I use them with confidence, and my communication with executives has become significantly smoother. The KELLEY-SKK GSB EMBA program was more than just an opportunity to acquire knowledge—it was a transformative experience that shaped me into a professional who can thrive on the global business stage. If you are working in a company where many executives have U.S. MBA backgrounds, I strongly recommend considering the Indiana Kelley - SKK GSB EMBA program, which offers a Dual MBA. It will be a powerful choice for those aspiring to build a global career.
- 작성일 2025-03-27
- 조회수 520
[PMBA] Wooseok Jun(PMBA 2020, Choeun Savings Bank)

Wooseok Jun, an alumnus of Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB Professional MBA program, is the CEO of Choeun Savings Bank. He built a relationship with SC Lowy, the major stockholder of Choeun Savings Bank, during the M&A process when he was working as a CFO at a brokerage firm. His professional connection with Choeun Savings Bank became a turning point in his career, and he has been working there since then. Since SC Lowy is a global firm based in Hong Kong that invests in various places around the world, he began working with people of diverse nationalities. He had difficulties while working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and with different values. In the meantime, he came to know about the Professional MBA program at Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB and started a PMBA program while working. "After graduating from the MBA program, I was promoted from Executive Director to CEO. The biggest takeaway from my MBA is that I developed a global mindset, which allows me to think broadly and flexibly, beyond the limited perspective I had before," he emphasized. "In addition, I earned a dual bachelor's degree in economics and management and also obtained the American Certified Public Accountant (AICPA) qualification. After graduating from university, I have been responsible for financial management across various industries, such as accounting firm, manufacturing, and distribution industry. However, I did not know how to combine field experience and theoretical knowledge, so I struggled with a lack of insight into business," Wooseok said. "When I was a university student, I "struggled to apply theoretical knowledge in practice." While working, I have been too busy to integrate practical experience and theoretical knowledge," he added. He stated that, after gaining field experience and restarting his studies through the PMBA program, he gained valuable business insights. Even now, five years after graduation, Wooseok said that the PMBA program at SKK GSB was such a valuable learning experience that he still refers to the materials he studied. Choeun Savings Bank, where he works, is a bank specialized in corporate finance. They do not provide credit loans to individuals or sole proprietors. This bank primarily handles project financing (PF), corporate loans, and other related services. It is a financial institution that evaluates factors, including the financial feasibility of real estate development projects, and analyzes a company's cash flow and collateral value, to make investment and lending decisions. The bank has been recording profits since Wooseok took office as CEO in 2021. "The savings bank industry has been facing difficulties, continuing to incur losses since the interest rate hike in the second half of 2022. Fortunately, our bank has not recorded a loss for the past five years. I believe company culture is key. I am leveraging all the resources and capabilities of the bank to generate profit. Additionally, we have established a company culture where employees with greater responsibility and authority work harder, and we provide performance-based compensation. I believe that, thanks to this company culture, we are overcoming challenging times," he explained. Wooseok advised prospective applicants who are contemplating whether to choose the PMBA program, as well as those who are currently studying at SKK GSB, to push beyond their limits. "The SKK GSB MBA programs are conducted entirely in English, with a distinguished faculty that is passionate and highly qualified, a well-structured curriculum and learning materials, and generous support provided to students," he stated. As a result, those who put in the effort will be able to achieve what they desire," he stated. He said, "I started the PMBA program after nearly 20 years of professional experience. It was a valuable time that gave me new perspectives and insights. To those contemplating the PMBA, I would dare to advise them to push beyond their limits. I am confident that, if they have the passion to gain knowledge, experience, and insights through this program, it will be a valuable and enriching experience."
- 작성일 2025-02-17
- 조회수 880
[FMBA] [Where are you now?] Mihyang Kim (AI MBA Class 2th 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 AI MBA Class 2th Graduate: Mihyang Kim Mihyang Kim, who has worked at KB Kookmin Bank for over 15 years, decided to venture into the field of AI after turning 40. She, who has been responsible for general banking tasks such as private banking (PB) services for high-net-worth individuals, has joined KB Kookmin Bank's Financial AI Center. She said, "The Financial AI Center needed someone who understands the bank's processes well, so I applied through an internal recruitment. I was confident in general banking tasks, and I think my curiosity about how AI could be used in banking led me to this point." Mihyang, who boldly took on the challenge but often felt overwhelmed in her work due to a lack of knowledge in AI, saw that the company was selecting employees for the AI MBA program at Sungkyunkwan University' SKK GSB, and immediately applied. When she didn't know much about AI at the start of the program and worked tirelessly to master the AI MBA curriculum, she graduated as one of the top five students with excellent grades. She said, "I was older than most of my peers and lacked background knowledge in AI, but as I worked hard to study, my peers told me, 'As I see you studying without giving up, it makes me think that I should not give up either and should keep studying.' By supporting each other while studying, one of the greatest assets I gained from the MBA was meeting peers who are always there to help me." She stated, "I studied at SKK GSB every Saturday for two years, which means I devoted a total of 104 Saturdays to studying AI. The changes that 104 Saturdays brought to me were truly significant. That's why 'career transition to the Financial AI Center' and 'completion of the AI MBA' are included as two of the five turning points in my life." Studying in the AI MBA program became a source of growth for her, and as she entered her third year at the Financial AI Center, she was promoted to Planning Team Head. She stated, "In the MBA program, there was a leadership class that utilized case studies from Harvard Business School. One of the questions posed was, 'Can you be the leader who brings all your team members safely down from Mount Everest?' Reflecting on that question, I often ask myself, 'Am I truly the leader who can bring all team members down safely?' Ultimately, my goal is to be a leader whose team members can say they learned something from me and grew through working with me." Mihyang said, "Currently, we are using AI to minimize the time required for tasks that employees have to do repeatedly. When one department requests AI-based service development and then makes additional requests later, it seems that the satisfaction with our center's AI services is high." She added, "I don't think the wave of AI will end anytime soon. In the past, people who could type on a typewriter were considered 'specialists.' Even when Microsoft Word was introduced, knowing how to use it was a remarkable skill. However, now everyone uses Word and Excel. I believe that soon, AI will be something everyone uses in their daily lives."
- 작성일 2024-11-15
- 조회수 1105
[PMBA] [Where are you now?] Minkyung Kim (Professional MBA Class 14th 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 Professional MBA Class 14th Graduate: Minkyung Kim When starting her MBA at SKK GSB in 2022, Minkyung Kim was working in the project department planning cross-border e-commerce strategies at Shinsegae Group's SSG.com. She was assigned the task of analyzing the internal and external environment and closely reviewing the company's business structure to establish necessary business strategies. While working in this department, she developed an interest in strategic planning roles. She said, "In order to become an expert in the field of strategic planning, I thought I first needed to build a solid foundation in finance. While working at a major domestic enterprise, I realized I wanted to experience a global environment, which led me to choose SKK GSB, where 60% of the faculty come from diverse backgrounds and all classes are taught in English." Minkyung, who studied intensely with her peers over the past two years, said that the "Financial Risk Management" class by former Dean Jae Ha Lee was the most memorable. She said, "Among all the finance courses, it was one of the most challenging, and it wasn't easy until the very end. However, after completing the course, I was able to discover a stronger version of myself." Minkyung stated that interacting with professors of various nationalities and peers working at international companies allowed her to acquire global communication skills, which is one of the assets she gained at SKK GSB. She added, "Since last year, as a side project, I have created an international platform to connect senior and junior leaderships from Europe and Korea. The global communication skills and mindset I gained at SKK GSB have been a great help." Minkyung also mentioned that by witnessing the passion of her peers who balance work, family, and studies in the MBA program, she realized that 'there is no such thing as too late to start what I want.' In her 30s, she gained the courage to live the future in her 40s and even 50s with more leadership and confidence. It was a time when the job market was in a frozen state, but by the time she reached her second year of the MBA program, she began receiving interview offers from global companies and major domestic enterprises. Minkyung chose CJ ENM, which she felt was the best fit for her, and is currently a member of the strategy planning team in the commerce division, based on TV home shopping and mobile e-commerce, just as she had hoped. She explained her current role by saying, "I publish reports by analyzing the trends and data in the retail market. I need to accurately and quickly extract the information my team members need and combine it with internal data indicators to assess the competitiveness of the business." She is also supporting the development of global expansion strategies by leveraging her past experience working on projects with global e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Rakuten. Minkyung, who says that being a business leader seems to imply that one can become someone who has a bigger and wider social impact than a doctor, or even a politician, at times, dreams of growing into a leader with both global competence and expertise.
- 작성일 2024-11-13
- 조회수 1568
[PMBA] [Where are you now?] Yoon Mou Lee (Professional MBA Class 11th 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 Professional MBA Class 11th Graduate: Yoon Mou Lee Yoon Mou Lee, who graduated from Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB in 2023, is currently working at Krafton, the company famous for the global game 'PUBG: Battlegrounds,' as the Creative Project Management Part Lead in the Creative Strategy & Operation Department of the Global Creative Division. He majored in Film in college and began his career as a producer. While producing independent films, he developed an interest in branding, strategy, and planning, which led him to venture into the advertising industry. His growing passion for marketing and business eventually inspired him to join the Professional MBA program at SKK GSB. Yoon Mou said, "I moved to a global marketing and PR agency, where I took on two roles: Account Executive (AE) and Project Manager (PM). With a background in video production, taking on the roles of AE and PM at an agency was a new experience for me, which brought some pressure. However, I was able to adapt quickly, drawing on the knowledge I gained from my MBA." As he was nearing his MBA graduation, Yoon Mou received a job offer from his current company, and after several rounds of interviews over a few months, he changed jobs. Yoon Mou, who worked in video production before starting his MBA, became a team lead responsible for advertising and promotional materials, online and offline content, and more at a global game company with renowned intellectual properties (IPs) after completing his MBA. He reflected on his MBA experience, saying, "Since I had only taken film-related classes in college, I needed to put in several times more effort than others when I first started my MBA. Basic knowledge that was familiar to my peers felt unfamiliar to me. Fortunately, my fellow students kindly helped me, and thanks to their, I was able to adapt quickly to MBA life. Yoon Mou said that he was able to grow through the SKK GSB's Professional MBA program, where he learned not only the theory but also how to apply it in practice, and through the experience of collaborating with peers working in various industries." He emphasized, "In particular, the network I built during the MBA program has become a crucial asset for my career and personal growth. By continuously communicating with peers who possess expertise, I have improved my ability to solve problems from various perspectives, which has been a great help in practice." He advised the SKK GSB students, "SKK GSB has two major strengths: the opportunity to take classes from outstanding faculty and the ability to expand your network with peers who possess expertise. The network formed with professors, peers, and alumni is an important resource that will provide future opportunities. I hope you actively engage in networking during your MBA and make the most of it."
- 작성일 2024-11-11
- 조회수 980
[BAMBA] [Where are you now?] Angelica Calso (MSBA, Currently Business Analytics MBA 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 MSBA(Master of Science in Business Analytics) (currently Business Analytics MBA) 1st Graduate: Angelica Calso Angelica Calso, who graduated from Sungkyunkwan University’s SKK GSB in 2022, completed the MSBA program (currently BA MBA), where she learned AI, machine learning, Python, and more. After graduation, she built her career in various fields. She taught a variety of business courses to undergraduate and MBA students at the University of the Philippines, widely regarded as the top university in the Philippines. Additionally, she was appointed as the Chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance, overseeing a department that includes both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as 27 full-time faculty members. She currently works as a Senior Consultant at EY Canada, a global accounting and advisory firm. Angelica stated, "Currently, I am helping clients in different sectors to leverage new technologies in crafting finance and accounting solutions. One of these is developing AI and machine learning models to create various forecasting programs. The knowledge I gained in AI and machine learning from the SKK GSB MSBA program has enabled me to perform this role." Angelica, who was the top graduate of the first cohort of the MSBA program, was the leader of the team that ranked first in the Applied Business Project (ABP) during the MSBA course. She said that the Robo Advisor development project, an investment advisory service utilizing AI algorithms, continues to have a significant impact on his work to this day. Angelica explained, "Through the Business Project class, I was able to practically apply the analytical tools I learned in the MSBA program while developing the Robo Advisor. This experience allowed me to witness the synergy between finance and data analytics, and I have been able to leverage that synergy ever since." She emphasized to SKK GSB students and prospective applicants to the MSBA (currently BA MBA) program who aspire to a career like hers that "the MSBA program has shaped who I am today, from learning new concepts to expanding my network with professionals from various fields." She added, "Both knowledge building and knowledge sharing would go a long way in one’s business or career."
- 작성일 2024-11-08
- 조회수 804
[PMBA] [Where are you now?] Wontai Choi (Professional MBA 5th 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 Professional MBA Class 5th Graduate: Wontai Choi Wontai Choi, who graduated from Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB in 2020, was responsible for finance at AB InBev, the world's largest beer company. After accumulating over three years of experience in the finance field, he made a serious decision to pursue an MBA program as he contemplated his career. Wontai said, "Since I completed my undergraduate studies at Indiana University in the United States, I considered starting my MBA program abroad as well. However, I chose the SKK GSB Professional MBA program because I could earn a dual degree from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and, most importantly, complete my MBA without any gaps in my career." He developed an interest in investment consulting while taking various classes at SKK GSB. After graduating from SKK GSB, he gained experience in investment at Cheil Worldwide, a firm under Samsung Group, and he is currently providing financial advisory services to companies across various industries at KPMG Korea's Financial Advisory Division (Deal Advisory). Wontai explained, "I provide comprehensive advisory services during mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including the valuation of target companies, acquisition strategies, and the negotiation process when companies seek to enter new markets or strengthen their competitiveness. Additionally, I conduct feasibility studies to analyze the likelihood of success for new projects or business ideas in the market, as well as provide advisory services for attracting investment by connecting high-potential companies with investors." He stated, "Having completed my undergraduate studies at a university abroad, I had a very limited personal network in Korea. However, through SKK GSB, I was able to significantly expand my network. I gain valuable information and insights about market trends through fellow students working in major companies, which I apply in my work. The community at SKK GSB has become a great asset to me."
- 작성일 2024-11-06
- 조회수 650
[PMBA] [Where are you now?] Eunpil Choi (Professional MBA 14th 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 Professional MBA Class 4th Graduate: Eunpil Choi Eunpil Choi, a graduate of SKK GSB at Sungkyunkwan University in 2019, is currently working at 42dot, the global software center of Hyundai Motor Group, where she analyzes key technologies and market trends and develops strategies and plans accordingly. Eunpil graduated with a degree in Information and Communication Engineering. She started her career as an engineer at Samsung Electronics. During this time, she had the opportunity to transition to the planning department, and since then, she has been working under the broad umbrella of planning and strategy. The reason why Eunpil pursued an MBA program at SKK GSB was that, after transitioning from an engineer to a planning and strategy role, she felt the need for both academic and practical growth. She said, "Those with an academic and career background like mine have likely faced similar concerns. I encourage juniors, peers, and acquaintances who share these concerns to pursue an MBA without hesitation." Eunpil said, "The MBA program strengthened my thought process and taught me how to achieve the best results within a limited time. In the MBA program, you can learn to solve problems more effectively and examine the core from various approaches, so anyone with determination can achieve valuable outcomes. The highly motivated Eunpil completed the MS program at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University through the dual degree program at SKK GSB. She added, "The outstanding peers and professors I met during the program helped broaden my perspective and allowed me to see further. During this time, I also gained the insight and courage to venture into new industries." She said that Professor Yoo Pilhwa's "Pricing Strategy" class left a strong impression on her. Eunpil said, "I was assigned a project to analyze a company, and the subject company was Netflix. Back in 2018, Netflix's stock price was not as high as it is today. While it had succeeded in the U.S. market, it struggled to expand into the Korean and Asian markets. As I analyzed Netflix, I found its business model, history, and management team fascinating, which enabled me to see its growth potential. A few years later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, and Netflix experienced explosive growth. The ability to identify businesses and markets with growth potential was also something I gained through the MBA program." She said, "SKK GSB is still an ongoing life project for me, both in my career and in my life. By the time I finished my MBA, I could confidently say that I had grown significantly compared to who I was before starting the program. I believe that the knowledge I gained at SKK GSB will continue to help me grow in the future." She added, "The remarkable colleagues I met at that time are still with me, positively influencing each other. It seems that those countless dots are creating new ones and going through a process of evolution where they are connected."
- 작성일 2024-11-01
- 조회수 659
[FMBA] [Where are you now?] Eamon Byrne (Full-Time MBA 14th 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 14th Graduate: Eamon Byrne Eamon Byrne, who founded a startup in the UK last year, visited Sungkyunkwan University's SKK GSB in August. He is one of the alumni who maintains a strong relationship with the professors and has a special affection for the school. Although five years have passed since he graduated in 2019, the fact that the places he visits to give himself a break are Korea and SKK GSB shows just how deep his affection for Korea and his alma mater is. He said, "I got into Innovate UK’s High Growth AI Accelerator for startups, so my life is going to get very busy. Before that, I would like to come to Korea and visit SKK GSB." After graduating from SKK GSB, Eamon worked at a startup in Korea for a year and then went back to the UK, where he joined the global strategy consultancy firm Simon-Kucher. This company was founded by Dr. Hermann Simon, the author of 'Hidden Champions' and known as the 'Peter Drucker of Europe'. Eamon’s consulting focus was on commercial strategy, including pricing, marketing, and new product monetization. While Eamon enjoyed his time in consulting, he said “my intention has always been to try to start my own business at some stage. Last year, AI made many amazing breakthroughs, and then I thought, this is the perfect time to start my own business!" Eamon's engineering background provided him with essential technical expertise, while his MBA from SKK GSB equipped him with broad business acumen. This blend of skills has proven invaluable as a founder, enabling him to navigate both the technical and commercial challenges of building a business. He is developing an app called "Tellme" that uses AI to offer new experiences to visitors of attractions. Imagine visitors talking with any exhibit at a museum, guided by a virtual assistant that answers all their questions in 50+ languages. Eamon stated, "In a museum, you can have thousands of items, but they only provide an audio guide for a limited number of objects. Those guides are also tediously long and one-size-fits-all. I may have completely different interests from another person, yet they provide the same description to everyone." Unlike an audio guide, Tellme embeds AI throughout to offer individualized experiences that adapt to each visitor's preferences. So far, he has partnered with a national museum in the UK and Merlin Entertainments, the world's second-largest attractions company. Eamon said that the things he learned in his MBA helped him a lot while establishing his startup. He explained, "It's still in the early stages, so I have to handle all the technical aspects, create the business plans, and manage the marketing. I guess a lot of founders are learning these things for the first time, but since I learned all about new business planning, marketing, sales, and financial management at SKK GSB, I already encountered a lot of this before." What are the reasons he, originally from Northern Ireland, completed his MBA in Korea, particularly at SKK GSB, among other Asian countries? Eamon answered, "I have always had a great interest in Asia, but I fell in love with this country during an internship at the Korean Institute for Energy Research (KIER) in 2015. Considering that SKK GSB is Korea's number one MBA and is also ranked among the global top 100, I chose to complete my MBA at SKK GSB. I also appreciated the well-equipped international environment, given that over 60% of both students and professors were from abroad." He advised prospective applicants and SKK GSB students that visiting and talking to the professors is very advantageous. Eamon said, "They're all so interesting and open. As I remember, they left their doors open, and you could just walk in anytime and talk about anything business-related. I hope that every student takes advantage of those opportunities."
- 작성일 2024-10-21
- 조회수 791

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