Tell us about your career journey.
Upon graduation from George Mason University in 1996 (BS, Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems), I started my professional career, joining an American IT service company, EDS in Washington D.C. as a Systems Engineer. After three years, I returned to Korea, first joining EDS in Seoul as a Customer Relations Management (CRM) and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) consultant, then working in leadership positions in IT at Samsung SDS, Mercedes Benz Korea, British American Tobacco Korea, and Phillips Korea. I currently lead digital transformation initiatives with great people in the health technology industry.
What was the highlight of your Mason experience?
Meeting with great people and expanding my views of the world. I have such a great memory of “International Week” when I could experience diverse food from all around the world, lots of different national flags across the campus, and friends who used to wear their respective traditional clothes.
What is your career advice for Mason students or alumni who may consider working in Korea?
I would like to share a few pieces of advice for Mason students or alumni.
- Do not try to find great companies to work for. Instead, try to find great leaders to work with. If you find one, try your best to follow his or her behaviors, including ways of talking, emailing and getting things resolved. If you continue to do so, you will find yourself someday becoming a great leader yourself.
- I’ve seen many people saying that they’re not given “good opportunities” to show their talents and skills. However, please remember that “good opportunities” come with the names of sacrifice, dedication and commitment.
- There is a huge gap between a person who believes that something can be done and another who believes that something can’t be done. Attitude makes a difference. Please be the one who focuses on the positives.
- There is no "right" or "wrong" decision in our lives. There is only "decision". After making a decision, it's up to us to make it "right" by making a successful outcome. Don't spend too much time, trying to make a "right" decision, there is no such thing. Make a decision, then, make it right.
What does the future hold for you?
If I knew the future, I wouldn’t be here. Someone once said that our dream should be “Verb” not in a “Noun,” meaning that our dream should not be what we want to become, but what we would like to do. For example, not “I would like to become a doctor,” but “I would like to help other people by obtaining medical knowledge and experience.” From that perspective, I would like to continue to help my friends and colleagues develop and succeed in their careers.
I feel the happiest when I see my colleagues or team members grow or develop professionally. Having said that, I plan to continue to do what I love and what I can do well. Then, I’m sure that my destiny or my God will take me to the next chapter of my life. I like the quote, “Do what you can, then, God will do what you can’t”.
October 20, 2022
