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[Interview with Executive MBA Students] Junghyun Baek (14th Class), Eui Ji Baek (14th Class)
2017.09.14 Views 2221 경영대학
Interview with Executive MBA Students│Junghyun Baek (14th Class), Eui Ji Baek (14th Class)
Junghyun Baek: “EMBA broadened my horizon”
Q. Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Jung Hyun Baek, president of Jaguar Land Rover Korea. I made my entry into the automobile industry by taking a position in the overseas marketing department, worked my way up to become the director of sales/marketing department and have held my current position as the president of Jaguar Landrover Korea since 2015. Ever since entering the Korean automobile market in 2008, Jaguar Landrover has cemented its position as a luxury brand that provides its customers products and services of the highest quality and as a result, have yielded a performance growth of 273% during the past 3 years.
Q. Why did you decide to enroll in MBA?
Before becoming the president of Jaguar Landrover Korea, I prided myself on having been in the same industry for 27 years and being an expert in the automobile industry. As the president of a premium automobile brand that is growing globally, even in the midst of fierce competition in this constantly changing world, I want Jaguar Landrover to continuously grow as the most beloved luxury brand in Korea. I enrolled in MBA because I felt the need to broaden my horizon and perpetually keep in touch with the latest business trends.
Q. Why did you choose KU Executive MBA out of all the other MBA programs?
A lot of people recommended me to take KU EMBA. Its strong alumni network, prestige recognized by the head office abroad, top rank in Korea and in the top 20 worldwide, and modular style curriculum that allows a more flexible schedule have led me to decide KU EMBA.
Q. Have you noticed any big changes after finishing Executive MBA?
The MBA’s practical curriculum gave me an opportunity to enhance my managing ability which has been hardened by business practice, and therefore improve my organizational management. Also, it helped to further the viability of the financial projections and brand strategies in my plans for the firm’s medium and long term vision and agenda. I was able to gain valuable insights into various fields from my class discussions with my colleagues who were experts in their respective fields.
Q. Which EMBA curriculum helped you the most?
Every curriculum was useful in its own way so it’s difficult to choose one. Personally, I found the IRP program that consisted of visiting 3 prestigious universities the most memorable. During the summer holiday in the first year, I went to UCLA in the U.S., HKUST in the winter holiday, and Italy’s Universita Bocconi this summer. As the executive manager in a global company, visiting the U.S.’, Asia’s and Europe’s iconic universities helped me to keep up to date with the latest trends in global economics and businesses.
Q. What did you take from EMBA other than the courses you have taken in the core curriculum?
Most impressive of all, KU has a very well organized and systematic alumni network. The opportunity to interact with normal and EMBA students provides a diverse network and the students can share information that could be useful to various career development.
Q. Could you give one last word of advice to prospective EMBA candidates?
There were lots of doubts on whether doing a painstakingly time consuming MBA would help my career when I was already the executive manager. But the KU EMBA program gave me time to look back at my restless 27 years. It also served to develop insight and invaluable information required for management. I was able to return to my original zeal I had when I first started work and learn about new paradigm as well as employing the diverse networking program to interact with experts from lots of different fields.
My name is Jung Hyun Baek, president of Jaguar Land Rover Korea. I made my entry into the automobile industry by taking a position in the overseas marketing department, worked my way up to become the director of sales/marketing department and have held my current position as the president of Jaguar Landrover Korea since 2015. Ever since entering the Korean automobile market in 2008, Jaguar Landrover has cemented its position as a luxury brand that provides its customers products and services of the highest quality and as a result, have yielded a performance growth of 273% during the past 3 years.
Q. Why did you decide to enroll in MBA?
Before becoming the president of Jaguar Landrover Korea, I prided myself on having been in the same industry for 27 years and being an expert in the automobile industry. As the president of a premium automobile brand that is growing globally, even in the midst of fierce competition in this constantly changing world, I want Jaguar Landrover to continuously grow as the most beloved luxury brand in Korea. I enrolled in MBA because I felt the need to broaden my horizon and perpetually keep in touch with the latest business trends.
Q. Why did you choose KU Executive MBA out of all the other MBA programs?
A lot of people recommended me to take KU EMBA. Its strong alumni network, prestige recognized by the head office abroad, top rank in Korea and in the top 20 worldwide, and modular style curriculum that allows a more flexible schedule have led me to decide KU EMBA.
Q. Have you noticed any big changes after finishing Executive MBA?
The MBA’s practical curriculum gave me an opportunity to enhance my managing ability which has been hardened by business practice, and therefore improve my organizational management. Also, it helped to further the viability of the financial projections and brand strategies in my plans for the firm’s medium and long term vision and agenda. I was able to gain valuable insights into various fields from my class discussions with my colleagues who were experts in their respective fields.
Q. Which EMBA curriculum helped you the most?
Every curriculum was useful in its own way so it’s difficult to choose one. Personally, I found the IRP program that consisted of visiting 3 prestigious universities the most memorable. During the summer holiday in the first year, I went to UCLA in the U.S., HKUST in the winter holiday, and Italy’s Universita Bocconi this summer. As the executive manager in a global company, visiting the U.S.’, Asia’s and Europe’s iconic universities helped me to keep up to date with the latest trends in global economics and businesses.
Q. What did you take from EMBA other than the courses you have taken in the core curriculum?
Most impressive of all, KU has a very well organized and systematic alumni network. The opportunity to interact with normal and EMBA students provides a diverse network and the students can share information that could be useful to various career development.
Q. Could you give one last word of advice to prospective EMBA candidates?
There were lots of doubts on whether doing a painstakingly time consuming MBA would help my career when I was already the executive manager. But the KU EMBA program gave me time to look back at my restless 27 years. It also served to develop insight and invaluable information required for management. I was able to return to my original zeal I had when I first started work and learn about new paradigm as well as employing the diverse networking program to interact with experts from lots of different fields.
Eui Ji Baek: "The most invaluable experience in my life"
Q. Could you introduce yourself to our readers?
For 20 years since 1997, I have worked in the finance and actuary departments in Lina insurance, an America based life insurance company that specializes in health insurance. Now, as the CFO, I oversee financial accounting, insurance actuarial affairs, investment and risk management.
Q. Why did you decide to enroll in MBA?
The insurance industry has transcended its original business model of providing financial aid in cases of accidents. Not only does it consider merging multiple industries like health care and funeral rites but in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, there have been series of rigorous discussions on the need for "transformation." The urge to step outside the field of finance which I have worked in for 20 years to interact with people from various backgrounds, and my desire to garner professional management knowledge have led me to enroll in MBA.
Q. Why did you choose KU Executive MBA out of all the other MBA programs?
I was very prudent about applying for MBA because of its high cost and time consuming curriculum. I have looked into lots of MBA programs, but I found KU enjoys the highest accolade for its reputation in business studies in Korea and out of the top 100 EMBA ranked by the Financial Times, KU was first in Korea. This external evaluation made me seriously consider KU EMBA and my decision was finalized when someone in my company who have finished KU EMBA recommended it.
Q. Have you noticed any big changes after finishing Executive MBA?
In terms of work in the office, I became in charge of risk management and general management in addition to my original work in finance. I think the firm acknowledged the experience I have gained from my EMBA. But more importantly, I learned a lot from my colleagues. I learned a lot from students’ (who would be managers in their firms) willingness to put aside their titles to actively participate in team projects and school events. I was influenced by their never-ending curiosity and their passionate class discussions which helped me to see other sides of my colleagues at work.
Q. Which EMBA curriculum helped you the most?
The most memorable subject was "Strategic Human Resources Management;" its philosophical approach that aligns a firm’s HR management strategies with its business philosophies was refreshing. I also learned a lot from ELITE Project which required us to build a new business model. Drawing on from the expertise of my colleagues who worked in medical, pharmaceutical, telecommunication industries and the management theories we learned in class, we built a new business model in the healthcare industry. It was an experience I will never forget.
Q. What did you take from EMBA other than the courses you have taken in the core curriculum?
I do not think I would ever have been able to meet the kinds of people and professors had I not done EMBA. I enjoyed listening to people’s stories inside and outside of classrooms and was brightened by the prospect of being able to constantly be in touch with these people.
Q. Could you give one last word of advice to prospective EMBA candidates?
EMBA is not about gaining new technical skills but about sharing experiences with your colleagues and learning strategic approaches necessary for management. Students will find themselves thinking differently after spending time discussing with their friends and improving each other’s shortcomings. I encourage prospective students to believe in themselves and embark upon an enjoyable life changing challenge.
For 20 years since 1997, I have worked in the finance and actuary departments in Lina insurance, an America based life insurance company that specializes in health insurance. Now, as the CFO, I oversee financial accounting, insurance actuarial affairs, investment and risk management.
Q. Why did you decide to enroll in MBA?
The insurance industry has transcended its original business model of providing financial aid in cases of accidents. Not only does it consider merging multiple industries like health care and funeral rites but in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, there have been series of rigorous discussions on the need for "transformation." The urge to step outside the field of finance which I have worked in for 20 years to interact with people from various backgrounds, and my desire to garner professional management knowledge have led me to enroll in MBA.
Q. Why did you choose KU Executive MBA out of all the other MBA programs?
I was very prudent about applying for MBA because of its high cost and time consuming curriculum. I have looked into lots of MBA programs, but I found KU enjoys the highest accolade for its reputation in business studies in Korea and out of the top 100 EMBA ranked by the Financial Times, KU was first in Korea. This external evaluation made me seriously consider KU EMBA and my decision was finalized when someone in my company who have finished KU EMBA recommended it.
Q. Have you noticed any big changes after finishing Executive MBA?
In terms of work in the office, I became in charge of risk management and general management in addition to my original work in finance. I think the firm acknowledged the experience I have gained from my EMBA. But more importantly, I learned a lot from my colleagues. I learned a lot from students’ (who would be managers in their firms) willingness to put aside their titles to actively participate in team projects and school events. I was influenced by their never-ending curiosity and their passionate class discussions which helped me to see other sides of my colleagues at work.
Q. Which EMBA curriculum helped you the most?
The most memorable subject was "Strategic Human Resources Management;" its philosophical approach that aligns a firm’s HR management strategies with its business philosophies was refreshing. I also learned a lot from ELITE Project which required us to build a new business model. Drawing on from the expertise of my colleagues who worked in medical, pharmaceutical, telecommunication industries and the management theories we learned in class, we built a new business model in the healthcare industry. It was an experience I will never forget.
Q. What did you take from EMBA other than the courses you have taken in the core curriculum?
I do not think I would ever have been able to meet the kinds of people and professors had I not done EMBA. I enjoyed listening to people’s stories inside and outside of classrooms and was brightened by the prospect of being able to constantly be in touch with these people.
Q. Could you give one last word of advice to prospective EMBA candidates?
EMBA is not about gaining new technical skills but about sharing experiences with your colleagues and learning strategic approaches necessary for management. Students will find themselves thinking differently after spending time discussing with their friends and improving each other’s shortcomings. I encourage prospective students to believe in themselves and embark upon an enjoyable life changing challenge.