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Interview with Fall 2016 MBA Valedictorians
Q. What is the secret to graduating top of your class?First, I would like to express my gratitude to my advisor Professor Ji-Woong Chung, all my professors who gave the best lectures, FMBA Manager Min Young Shin who meticulously oversaw all the administrative tasks, and my fellow graduates who have been with me through thick and think. Having an undergraduate degree in Economics and Business and ten years of experience working in financial institutions helped a lot understanding the lectures and getting through the exams. I started FMBA shrouded in vague fear of finance. Fortunately, the professors’ lectures were motivating and easy to understand, alleviating my concerns I had for finance, and ultimately setting the stone for graduating top of my class.
Q. What was the most memorable event during the FMBA Program?
I thoroughly enjoyed the time in ESADE Business School, Barcelona, Spain, when I partook in the International Residence Program (IRP). I had the pleasure of attending global strategies related lectures given by the best academic staff of business schools in Europe, and had the opportunity to visit interagency and business entities, learning about local support for startups. I also enjoyed the bike tour around Barcelona, visiting a local winery and a football stadium. One the weekend and at dinner, we would visit tourist sites which provided a good chance to become a closer to my friends.
Q. What did you take from the FMBA Program?
Having taken various courses in banking, finance, accounting, international business, economics, and practical finance affairs, I was able to broaden my horizon on the financial market and cultivate deeper appreciation of other industries’ financial businesses. In addition, relative to my experience as an undergraduate, I was graced with more time to discuss with and consult my professors, at the same time, expanding my network of friends.
Q. Could you give a word of advice to prospective FMBA students?
The FMBA Program is much more than simply learning about theories. The curriculum consists of reading various cases in banking and finance, staying on top of the latest research trends, and getting hands on practical affairs in finance. Therefore, I am confident in saying that FMBA would provide a beneficial stage supported by the best faculty staff in the country, its systematic alumni network, and academic resource that would train its students to become desirable talents in the financial industry. I hope you would enjoy your time working with others and improving yourself along the way.
Q. What is the secret to graduating top of your class?I am glad that I finished my one year program with the Dean’s Award. The FMBA professors helped me manage the challenging subjects and obtain good grades. Every lecture, the students would check each other to make sure we have understood the content, and expound on the more difficult topics. I was motivated to focus during the lectures, and I found the group projects very meaningful. We were asked to apply the theories and topics we have learned on real life cases. This taught me that book lessons can transcend their face value to become applicable in practical affairs.
Q. What was the most memorable event during the FMBA Program?
I liked the professors’ lectures, but I remember spending time with my fellow students the most. My memorable experiences include exchanging gifts with my friends at the year-end party in lecture halls, attending IRP in Spain, and having steamed snow crab on the beaches of Sokcho.
Q. What did you take from the FMBA Program?
The FMBA curriculum shares many similarities with practical affairs so the program would help when doing actual work in companies. Lectures on valuation, administrative accounting, and analysis of financial statements gave me a better understanding of credit-rating. Also, undertaking international finance related courses helped to deepen my outlook on foreign exchange. I believe that the knowledge I have accrued from these courses will be valuable in the future allowing me to have a better understanding and more effectively executing new tasks. Building on what I have learned from FMBA, I intend to implement policies that would help exporters.
Q. Could you give a word of advice to prospective FMBA students?
To some students, the one year time frame would appear to be short, but the time spent at KU FMBA is an invaluable experience many wouldn’t forget. I hope students would be relieved from the pressure to be successful in life and genuinely enjoy their time with their new friends. In a year’s time, they would find themselves matured more so emotionally than intellectually.
Q. What is the secret to graduating top of your class?I left work to enroll in the GMBA program, so I was determined to be active and work hard. But as a life sciences undergraduate, there were numerous materials I didn’t understand from the first day. Eventually, I had to rely on the help of my professors and my classmates who have relevant degree. I think I also learned a lot from class discussions with people from different majors and various work experiences. I would like to thank Professor Yong Keun Yoo who has helped me a lot through the year. I also look back fondly at the time spent discussing career options with my friends and the encouragements I received from the 11th Class of GMBA students. Last but not least, I am indebted to my husband who has been bedrock of support ever since I made the decision to quit work to enroll in the GMBA program, and it is because of him and our family I was able to graduate with such promising grades.
Q. What was the most memorable event during the FMBA Program?
I have made many fond memories over the past year: the orientation where we performed Sa-bal-shik (a tradition where incoming students drink a bowl of Makgeoli and soju) and learned FM; KU-Yonsei Games that brought us closer; and the IRP in Barcelona followed by a friendship travel. The most memorable experience was my time in ESADE where I participated in IRP for. I had the chance to learn about foreign markets and policies. I also remember preparing a mock presentation on foreign attraction with my group members.
Q. What did you take from the FMBA Program?
In the GMBA program, I made friends with people whom I believe will work in diverse fields, and my class discussions with this cohort provided a stage to share information and experience. I was also able to extend my network of friends to include people working in my field. My plan is to return to my work to apply my newly acquired knowledge and network and ultimately further my career.
Q. Could you give a word of advice to prospective GMBA students?
I would like to congratulate the 12th Class of GMBA students. I can assure them that one year will fly by. People who maintain their passions to learn and experience new things will graduate having obtained their originally desired knowledge and network. I hope they will be able to have many memorable experiences with their new friends. I look forward to seeing the 12th Class of GMBA students in upcoming school events.