Stony Brook University SUNY Korea

  Charis Asante-Agyei, one of the first graduates of SUNY Korea and our very first alumnus to become a university professor, now teaches at Lewis & Clark College. During his years at SUNY Korea, Charis distinguished himself not only through academic excellence but also by his commitment to service, including a memorable “Africa Mission 2016” community service trip to Burkina Faso, where he organized a science camp for children. Read the second part of his History Makers interview to see how he continues to build on his story.    What is the most valuable lesson you learned at SUNY Korea that has helped you the most in life?  Embrace adventure. SUNY Korea offered me numerous opportunities to embrace adventure. A good example of this is when my colleagues and I created the Undergraduate Student Council (USC). It was a great adventure that helped students organize and develop a sense of community. Part of embracing adventure is realizing that we are not alone, and that we can serve others and help them on their own journey. And sometimes, we may even have to create our own adventures. What is your most memorable experience from your time at SUNY Korea? I will forever cherish the Rube Goldberg machine my colleagues and I built for our freshman class. In particular, I remember incorporating physics calculations regarding how a ball would roll through a circular path. That experience continues to guide how I design experiential learning for my students. I have to quickly add that each bite of DD chicken was a great memory too. Do you stay in touch with anyone from SUNY Korea?  Yes, I stay in touch with some staff members, and many of my friends who are currently alumni. I formed strong friendships that continue to this day.  I believe Professors Joseph Cabuay, Anthony Pennings, Suzana Brown, and Mark Whitaker still teach at SUNY Korea. They nurtured my curiosity and analytical abilities. What is your dream or aspiration for the future?  My dream is to develop actionable knowledge to guide sustainable entrepreneurship around the world. What message would you like to give to incoming freshmen at SUNY Korea? SUNY Korea is a great environment to nurture your pioneering spirit. Start something new, make history, and develop your entrepreneurial and global mindset. Embrace the adventure! We are History Makers. We change the world.  CLICK HERE to read his first interview CLICK HERE to watch his interview

  Yena Kwon, a Spring 2022 graduate of SUNY Korea's FIT program, has recently secured an exciting position as a Digital Marketing & Media Trainee at Christian Dior Couture, LVMH group in New York City. In this interview, Yena shares her inspiring journey—from studying at one of the top fashion schools to landing her dream role at one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands.  Can you introduce yourself? Hi! My name is Yena Kwon, and I am a recent graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology. I earned my AAS in Fashion Business Management at SUNY Korea and completed my BS in Advertising and Marketing Communications, with minors in Multi-Sensory Branding and Economics, at FIT New York. Why did you choose to study at SUNY Korea FIT? My passion for fashion stems from its ability to reflect people's state of mind and its responsiveness to changes in economic, historical, and environmental conditions. I was always fascinated by how fashion influences personal identity and representation. I believed that SUNY Korea FIT was the best choice for a unique educational experience that combined global perspectives with a strong foundation in Fashion Business Management while allowing me to gain insights into both the Korean and international markets. What made you continue to join your studies at FIT New York? While New York City is often celebrated as a Dream City, I have deepened my curiosity about the professional environment, the business dynamics, and the everyday life in New York. Although uncertainties exist, I was determined to embrace this opportunity to fully explore and challenge myself in ways that might not be possible in the future. I have set my goal to immerse myself in the fast-paced, innovative environment that New York is known for, and to gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate and succeed in such a dynamic city. I believe that this experience will not only challenge me but also significantly contribute to my personal and professional development. Can you tell us where you are working, and how were you able to join? I am currently with Christian Dior Couture as their Trainee in the Digital Marketing and Media team. I am involved in every stage of communication, from planning to the production of campaign materials, and managing editorial content for magazines and news outlets in the North American regions. During my time at FIT, I developed a strong interest in the branding and communication aspects of fashion, which plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining a brand's identity. As I built up my portfolio in brand marketing, I applied for the Digital Marketing & Media Trainee position at Christian Dior Couture through LinkedIn during my final semester. After successfully navigating a three-stage interview process, I was thrilled to receive an offer to join the team. What is your most memorable experience at SUNY Korea? My most memorable experience is when I studied with friends late at night in the lounge and in the IGC library. I think it was such a special moment that was created from SUNY Korea’s family-like atmosphere. I would never be able to imagine doing the same here in FIT New York. I also really enjoyed working on a fashion film project for my Creative Presentation course when we collaborated with Utah University’s film students. Being heavily involved from planning to execution, it was a meaningful experience for myself as it helped me concretize my passion towards advertising and marketing in fashion. In what ways has SUNY Korea FIT contributed to your career development? Are there specific lessons or skills you learned that have been particularly valuable? SUNY Korea provided me with a unique educational experience with the dual advantage of studying under the FIT curriculum in Korea. It prepared me to understand global fashion trends and branding strategies, which are essential in a dynamic field like fashion marketing. This experience, along with the network and resources provided by SUNY Korea, played a significant role in shaping my career aspirations and equipped me with the skills and confidence needed to secure my position at Christian Dior Couture. I also would like to mention the Career Development Center (CDC) at SUNY Korea which played a pivotal role in my academic and professional success. The CDC provided invaluable guidance and resources that helped me navigate the complexities of career planning and development. Through their internship panels, networking events, and one-on-one career counseling, I gained insights into the industry and honed my skills in areas such as resume building, interview preparation, and job search strategies. What advice would you offer to students pursuing their academic and professional goals? For students who are pursuing their academic and professional goals, I highly recommend utilizing all the support and resources offered by your school! The Career Development Center, for example, was significant in my own career journey, providing invaluable assistance through its extensive network and supportive guidance. Additionally, getting involved in various clubs and school activities was also beneficial. It not only provided opportunities to connect with friends from different majors but also offered valuable experiences and led me to fully explore myself.                 

  Habin Lee, the recent PETE Award winner and FIT graduate, shares her inspiring journey from SUNY Korea FIT to New York. In this interview, she discusses her experiences, inspirations, and vision for the future as a fashion designer and entrepreneur. Habin highlights her dream of studying in New York and launching her innovative athletic wear brand, Ranea, showcasing her dedication and creativity in the industry.   Introduce yourself  My name is Habin Lee. I am a graduate of FIT Spring 2023. I received an AAS degree in Fashion Design at FIT SUNY Korea and received a BS degree in Technical Design at FIT New York. I am a fashion designer and an entrepreneur, running the athletic wear brand, Ranea, in New York.  Can you explain your brand, Ranea? Ranea is a therapeutic athletic wear brand that aims to create garments which prevent injuries and increase comfort. Ranea aims to alleviate the wearer’s physical pain during rehabilitation and remind people of the joy of having an active lifestyle. What is the PETE Prize competition about?  PETE Prize is an entrepreneurial competition hosted by DTech from FIT. It is funded by Peter G. Scotese with the initial funding of Edwin Goodman. PETE Prize is awarded to a visionary entrepreneur with an innovative idea. It is an entrepreneurship competition. Anyone with innovative ideas can apply. You can go to the PETE Prize website or the FIT DTech website to apply. Can you explain what you created and the inspiration behind it? I have created a zone-compression top that targets specific muscle groups to provide higher stabilization for agility movements. I was inspired by my injury history. After experiencing sciatica pain for almost a year, I had to adjust my lifestyle and training regime to recover from the injury and prevent it in the future. I wanted a garment that could help me through the unknown process. More specifically, I wanted a garment that could provide core stability while I rebuild muscle mass and strength again.  Were there any difficulties throughout the design process?  Since I am not a textile expert nor have years of experience in athletic apparel design, I had to experiment a lot. I think believing in my hypothesis until I proved it through a physical prototype was the biggest challenge. However, I was able to receive so much help from the DTech and FIT professors, who guided me through the experimentation.  How did you get to know about FIT – New York and how did you apply?  I have known of FIT since I was a kid. I think it is a well-known school, especially if you dream of working in the fashion industry.  I studied at Hong Kong Polytechnic University before I applied to SUNY Korea. I joined SUNY Korea in 2019 to transfer to FIT. I then continued my studies in New York because I was interested in the diverse and creative culture of the city. New York is also one of the best cities for young entrepreneurs. I expected to gain more opportunities to connect with the NY fashion network through FIT. FIT is well-known for its huge alumni group with reliable board members in the fashion industry. I went to New York right after graduating from the AAS program in 2021. I then graduated from the BS program in NY in Spring 2023.  Would you like to share any messages or advice for upcoming SUNY Korea FIT students planning to continue their studies at FIT New York or Milan after earning their AAS degree?  Don’t be shy to connect with people. Everything you want to achieve will happen through your connections. Professor Bess, the former Chair of FIT Korea Fashion Design, always emphasized that your career should be pulled up by your community. Any future or career goals you would like to achieve?  I would like to successfully launch Ranea in Q3 2024 and run the company for at least five years with the help of the sports community. It is my dream to see people wearing Ranea at the gyms. When Ranea kicks off and settles down, I would like to launch an MTO service for professional athletic teams. My personal goal is to learn woodworking soon.  Click Here For More

  Meet Prince-David Malendele, a 2021 SUNY Korea graduate and current Associate Staff Mechanical Engineer at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). In this interview, he shares his journey from SUNY Korea to BNL, highlighting his research achievements, career aspirations in superconducting materials, and his significant role in the Electron-Ion Collider project.  Introduce yourself. My name is Prince-David, and I graduated from SUNY Korea in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree from Stony Brook in 2022 through the accelerated master’s program. I am currently working as an Associate Staff Mechanical Engineer on the Electron-Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL).   Why did you choose SUNY Korea SBU? I chose SUNY Korea SBU because it has a very good engineering program offering courses in machine design, thermal systems, engineering analysis and robotics that aligned with my interest. Also, I was on a full scholarship that allowed me to get a college degree without taking student loans or worrying about financing my education.  What was your greatest accomplishment as a student at SUNY Korea? As a student at SUNY Korea, my greatest accomplishment was giving a poster presentation at the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineering (KSME)’s annual convention in the fall of 2021. The presentation was about a research project I worked on with Professor Changwoon Han on predicting failure in solder joints of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB). A paper regarding that project was later published in the KSME’s journal. All of this was done in Korean.  What are your research interests and career goals? I am currently an Associate Engineer (Level 3) at BNL, and my current role is related to the design of superconducting magnets, radio-frequency cavities, and vacuum systems. I aim to become an expert in superconducting materials and systems while moving up the rank at BNL to become a Principal Engineer (Level 10), then hopefully a manager or director. Those positions require at least 15-20 years of engineering experience with significant contributions to the field.  Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? The Electron-Ion Collider is a one-of-a-kind nuclear physics research machine that was approved and funded by the US Department of Energy in 2021 but is expected to be fully built and operational by 2035. In the next 5 years, I will still be working on designing, manufacturing, and testing components or systems for the Electron-Ion Collider. Hopefully, by then I will be a Senior Engineer (Level 7). I am also considering pursuing a PhD in superconducting materials and systems while actively working at BNL.   To watch the interview, CLICK HERE

On Wednesday, October 25th, Haeun Choi, an FIT Alumni, visited SUNY Korea to deliver a talk as part of the FIT Alumni Talk series. During her presentation, she shared her journey, from her educational background to her current role as the CEO of GREENEST, emphasizing her dedication to sustainable fashion, and offering valuable advice to aspiring students and entrepreneurs. Here is an interview with Haeun Choi. Can you introduce yourself? Hello, my name is Haeun Choi, CEO of Greenest, which is a sustainable fashion brand based in South Korea. I got an AAS degree in FIT Korea, and a BS degree in FIT New York campus, both with Summa Cum Laude. I majored in Fashion Business Management.  Why did you choose to study at SUNY Korea FIT? The reason I chose SUNY Korea FIT is because it was the most optimal choice for me, as I wanted to gain experience not only in New York but also in the fashion industry in Korea. In fact, to work in the fashion industry, understanding consumer psychology and staying attuned to market trends is crucial. FIT offers the advantage of obtaining both an AAS degree and a BS degree from different countries, which has been very helpful in my current business pursuits. Can you introduce your business and explain how you started it? GREENEST is a fashion brand that promotes responsible and refined fashion while aiming to make sustainable fashion more widely accessible. We prioritize sustainability throughout the entire process, from sourcing raw materials to production and shipping. The brands' collections are a fusion of expert craftsmanship, attention to detail, and classic and elegant silhouettes, all designed to enhance the natural beauty of every person. GREENEST's commitment to sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. "Sustainability is a top priority for GREENEST in every stage of the process, as evidenced by the strong emphasis on sustainability in the design of all our collections, including the materials used and overall design." I had the opportunity to take courses on sustainability and the fashion industry at both FIT Korea campus and FIT New York campus, and I realized that the negative environmental impact of the fashion industry was more significant than I had initially thought. Wanting to make a positive impact within the fashion industry, I aspired to launch a sustainable fashion brand to help realize this goal.              In what ways did your academic experience at SUNY Korea FIT and FIT New York influence your ability to manage your own brand? I majored in Fashion Business Management at FIT. As a result, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry, learned about textiles as part of my general education, and acquired knowledge in marketing and merchandising, which are essential for running a fashion brand. In particular, during my studies, I engaged in numerous case studies of fashion companies, providing me with indirect experience of the challenges that fashion companies face and the opportunity to propose solutions through various projects. These indirect experiences have proven to be invaluable in running my current brand. How do you cope with fear and doubt in your professional journey? In reality, running a business is often navigating the unknown, and in the early stages, I was frequently plagued by uncertainty and experienced significant emotional fluctuations. However, once I accepted that these uncertainties are something all entrepreneurs encounter, I began to find my anxiety diminishing. I believe that managing these anxieties is also an integral part of entrepreneurship. Trusting in my choices and persevering in the way I've chosen to go, I have faith that I will eventually reach the goals I aspire to achieve. What advice would you offer to students pursuing their academic and professional goals? I hope that you won't hesitate to pursue what you want, even if you lack experience or knowledge. Whether you have a wealth of experience and knowledge or not, continuously learning and growing is a common journey. If you have passion or desire, I encourage you to take the first step without hesitation. And always remember that by giving your best effort in every moment, you will eventually see the fruits of your labor. So, try to do your best at all times.

  Briefly introduce yourself. Hello, my name is Chaeeun Lee and I am from Korea. I graduated from SUNY Korea FIT in May 2019, and after completing the AAS program I transferred to FIT in New York. I majored in Fashion Design and specialized in Knitwear. Why did you decide to study at SUNY Korea FIT?  The main reason I started the AAS program at SUNY Korea FIT was because of the language and environment. If I had gone directly to New York, I would have had to spend time adjusting to the language and environment, which might have affected my focus on school. However, at SUNY Korea, I was able to fully concentrate on my schoolwork with the help from the Korean faculty.  What made you decide to go to FIT New York Campus? Of course, I learned and experienced a lot at SUNY Korea FIT, but I believed that there were certain things that could only be learned at the New York campus. Firstly, as everyone knows, New York is renowned for its fashion industry, so the range of inspiration that can be seen and felt in both school and daily life is much broader. Additionally, I wanted to meet a more diverse group of students and professors at the New York campus to learn on a wider scale. I wanted to take classes not only with fashion design students but also with students from other majors and expand my opportunities to interact with them. Without hesitation, I applied to FIT's New York Campus. Could you explain the award you received and the Fashion Design BFA Program? In the Fashion Design BFA Program at FIT's New York campus, each year the graduating students' thesis works are evaluated, and one winner is chosen from each specialization class. During the final thesis course, a panel of critics, who have been working closely with us throughout the semester, evaluates our work. These critics are responsible for selecting one winner among us. The winners of the Critic's Award automatically get the opportunity to showcase their designs in a fashion show and have a separate exhibition. This year I was awarded the Critic Award from the knitwear category by the senior design director of knitwear at Coach, Stacey Tester.  To briefly explain the Fashion Design BFA Program semester by semester, in the first semester of the third year, students are exposed to all specializations within the fashion design department. This allows us to explore and determine which specialization suits us best. Courses cover sportswear, knitwear, intimate wear, special occasion and children’s wear. This is a time for us to reassess and discover our preferences. Starting from the second semester of the third year, we take specialized courses based on the specialization we have chosen. During this semester, we receive fundamental lessons specific to our chosen specialization. In the first semester of the fourth year, we go deeper into advanced courses related to our specialization and begin to develop our thesis topics and portfolios. Finally, in the last semester, we focus on further developing our thesis, applying everything we have learned throughout the program, and creating our own designs.   To view Chaeeun Lee's Workbook, CLICK HERE

    Wondering what you want to do after graduating SUNY Korea? Sunghwan Kim, a senior at Stony Brook, got accepted to Stanford’s Master’s Degree Program and is waiting for opportunities from other universities. Here is his story of his experience in SUNY Korea and how it made an impact on his decision to go to graduate school to pursue his dream in his field.    Briefly introduce yourself Hello, my name is Sunghwan Kim. I am a Senior at Stony Brook University’s Engineering & Applied Science Program majoring in Technological Systems Management, minoring in Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and expected to graduate this spring semester. If you have any questions about energy-related research or graduate school application, please feel free to email me: sunghwan.kim@stonybrook.edu  Why did you decide to study at SUNY Korea? Ever since I was young, I have been interested in technology and how it affects society. I set out to become a scientist who gives hope to mankind and the nation. So, in the Department of Technology and Society, I wanted to look at how engineering can directly help people through efficiency and optimization in areas such as sustainability. What is your most memorable experience at SUNY Korea? While studying Technology Systems Management at Stony Brook University, I have been able to look at technology and its broader impacts such as developing institutional regulations and policies for various energy technologies with the theme of sustainability. I have been able to apply the lessons from my coursework to several research projects with Professors Mark D. Whitaker, Sira Maliphol, and Neal Dreamson. One of the most memorable experiences while studying at SUNY Korea is my internship experience at Stanford center. I worked as a research support and project consultant intern at the Stanford Center at Incheon Global Campus (SCIGC) Sustainability Department. As the only undergraduate member, I worked hard with many Stanford professors and researchers on projects studying the trends of EV charging technology and business, demand response (DR), reverse DR, renewable energy, and Smart Mobility. As part of the study, I was able to analyze cases of overseas energy companies and schematization of enterprise types and write a research report. Also, I analyzed GS Caltex Electrical P2P Transactions and V2G Services in Jeju Island, which is a new experimental smart city island in South Korea. What is your greatest accomplishment as a student at SUNY Korea? At the World Federation of United Nations Associations, I participated as a team leader in climate action (SDG13) and as a South Korean representative. Since sustainability is a global issue, I also wanted to learn about the multilateral international organizations that address it. I carried out a project focused on the technology transfer of ESS and EV tractors to prevent carbon emissions from Agri-Business farming in Kalimantan, Indonesia. The findings and proposed policies were presented to officials at the UN headquarters in New York. In addition, in my last project, I investigated public interest in energy by region. From this study, we realized what is most important is that we need policies and regulations to support continuous attention and scientific development. Our study won the Best Paper Award at the 14th International Conference on Intelligent Human-Computer Interaction, which will be published in the Springer-Human Computer Interaction booklet. Also, I participated in various programs and competitions on behalf of the university, such as IGC Central Library Learning Spaces Naming Contest and IFEZ Happy Study Room Mentoring Volunteer work. What are your research interests and career goals? In my current research project, I focus on applying energy storage system (ESS) technology to address the production and demand volatility of wind, water, and solar-derived (WWS) energy. Since renewable energy supply highly depends on weather conditions, ESS can stabilize the energy grid by storing WWS energy. And for my future career, I want to be a professor or project consultant who can suggest technological assessments and proper policies for various government organizations and businesses.

  Three students who recently graduated from SUNY Korea shared their thoughts about SUNY Korea. Two out the three students started their own business after graduating from SUNY Korea, and one student has been accepted by one of the largest accounting and consulting firm. Here is a short interview with the students about what SUNY Korea means to them.      Youngho Kim Youngho Kim graduated in 2022 with a degree in Computer Science. He started his own business named TMR Founders. Why did you choose SUNY Korea? The biggest reason was that I could experience the curriculum of an American university in Korea. When I first decided to enroll, I worried a lot, but SUNY Korea provides the same professional courses that I have experienced in the United States, and the environment gave a familiar international feeling as I was in Korea. Even though I had the chance to go to a university in the States, I felt that I could experience various cultures with the same education here, so I decided to join SUNY Korea. What experiences from SUNY Korea helped you start a business? Students can apply to lab courses starting from their second to third year. In my junior year, I joined the Computer Science professor's research lab and finally got the chance to turn my thoughts into reality. I was able to experience certain technologies for the first time, such as autonomous driving and the recognition of objects through cameras. The professor participated in our research as closely as my tutor, and I was able to write 3 to 4 thesis papers. This experience helped me develop the confidence to create anything, and that's how I decided to start a business. What do you think is the unique strength of SUNY Korea? The phrase ‘minority elite member’ comes to mind. There are many talented professors compared to the number of students. One professor will work on a new project every semester with 5 to 15 researchers. I think it's a big advantage that I can experience new technologies and companies outside of class with the professors.      Soomin Seo Soomin Seo is the founder of Livable and graduated from SUNY Korea Department of Technology and Society in 2020 Why did you choose SUNY Korea? I went to a high school abroad, and when I was thinking about going to college, I wanted to continue my foreign academic classes, but at the same time, I wanted to go to Korea because I was abroad for a long time. While I was searching for a university, I chose SUNY Korea after seeing a promotional article that said I could study foreign academic studies in Korea. What experiences from SUNY Korea helped you start a business? I think my study in Technology and Society helped me start my own business. I am currently operating an IT service, and a lot of the knowledge comes from what I learned in this major. One example is cases where I develop services by converging technologies and maintaining communication with developers. In addition, the school provided a lot of support for the start-up after graduation, to the extent that I received help from the president when preparing for my start-up. What do you think is the unique strength of SUNY Korea? All faculty, staff, and team leaders provided various support in different fields. The high faculty-to-student ratio gave more detailed and practical support. Also, I think it could become a strength if students actively participate well in school events as they can achieve more opportunities.      Jihun Gwak Ji Hun Gwak majored in Technology and Society and graduated in the year 2022. He has been hired at Deloitte Anjin LLC.  Why did you choose SUNY Korea? In addition to communicating in English like any American university, SUNY Korea has linguistic and cultural strengths that cannot be experienced in ordinary high schools or universities in Korea, such as writing essays or having a presentation daily. Of course, these days, native English instructors and English-speaking classes are common, but I think the biggest appeal of SUNY Korea is communicating with professors and colleagues in foreign languages in everyday life. What do you think is the unique strength of SUNY Korea? I think it is to find the meaning of learning rather than getting good grades or achieving a graduation certificate. I remember participating in Professor Neil Dreamson's graduation project and thinking deeply about what I wanted to learn and what I learned from this class. Through that process, I still remember the professor's words: 'Design your own life beyond class with a sense of ownership'. Having a good job and grades are important, but I think it is more important to have the purpose mentioned above.

  SUNY Korea has a high quality Career Development Center that helps students prepare for their future jobs. SeungWon Byun, an Applied Mathematics and Statistics (AMS) graduate recently graduated from SUNY Korea and has been accepted to KPMG Samjong, said CDC provided most help for getting his current job.  Here is the interview of SeungWon Byun.   Why did you choose AMS in SUNY Korea? AMS caught my mind because it was where I could learn from pure mathematics, including algebra and graph theory to applied statistics that make use of diverse programs. AMS is not only for basic data analysis but also for the expansion of artificial intelligence. Why did you choose to work at KPMG Samjong? I wanted to do something related to analyzing data as a living. KPMG Samjong is an accounting firm that requires a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license which SUNY Korea has a program to support, including a study room. I prepared for the exam by taking accounting lectures while studying on campus. What programs in SUNY Korea helped you get your current job? The career lecture I took as a liberal arts course and the programs provided by the Career Development Center helped a lot. During my junior year, I was able to think about and decide what I preferred and what I could do well, by taking the career lecture. Through these processes, I could choose my career, which landed on accounting. After that, through the programs provided by the Career Development Center, I could specify my career path. From writing a self-introduction letter to preparing an interview, they helped me prepare well, step by step. Thanks to those times, I was able to get a job. How has the one year at the New York campus helped you in life? At the New York home campus, I was able to take diverse courses and interact with friends from all over the world. Watching American football with friends is the most memorable experience on campus. Communicating with various foreign friends on or off campus and spending time together broadened my perspective and thoughts of the world.  Is there any advice you would like to tell your colleagues at SUNY Korea?  It is not necessary to get a job abroad just because you graduated from a university overseas. While preparing for employment myself, I felt that if one decided on their career and is ready by oneself, many prestigious companies will be willing to hire them. Since it is uncommon to interact with foreign students, it would be a big benefit for your employment to be involved in varied activities provided on campus.

  JiHyun Baek is a SUNY Korea alumni, who achieved a bachelor and master's degree in Mechanical Engineering. She achieved her Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in December 2019 at SUNY Korea and her Master of Science degree in May 2021 at Stony Brook University, New York.  SUNY Korea is a place where you can study in two different campuses that allows more social interaction and provides an experience of a variety of cultures.  Here is the interview of JiHyun Baek.   Why did you choose SUNY Korea? I graduated from high school in Korea and transferred to the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the State University of New York, Korea. I came to know the State University of New York in Korea when I had a lot of concerns about how the subjects I was learning could be applied to the industry rather than just theory. I was attracted to the school environment and accreditation program that values individual diversity and inclusion. While learning major subjects such as design, dynamics, and mechanics, most of the classes were realistic and required creativity and thinking skills, rather than simple calculations and memorization. I found the answer to how the knowledge learned in the classroom is applied to society and what can be done with what I have learned. I was convinced that this education would be the foundation for becoming the engineer I want to be.  What is your current role at Meta? I currently work on failure analysis of VR/AR devices at Meta (aka Facebook). The reason why I applied for this job at Meta was because I could apply the sciences, mechanics, and mechanical design I learned from school, and take one step closer to my dream of becoming a hardware designer. Why did you choose a job abroad?  I did not want to lose the opportunity to work abroad. As I was preparing for a job in the United States, regardless of field, company, or job, if it was related to my major, I tried my best in every part of the process when applying for the job. I went to job search sites in the US, LinkedIn, and the sites of the companies I wanted, looked for job postings, and kept knocking on doors. Then a recruiter saw my profile on LinkedIn, and the current company contacted me first. It was an amazing moment. What programs in SUNY helped you get a job? I took part in school activities such as the student council, clubs, and research projects as much as possible. Through the student council and club activities, I learned various content besides leadership and major studies, and I was able to broaden my academic knowledge through research activities. In particular, the research projects were very helpful in preparing for employment as they were like programs handled by actual companies or projects carried out by the company. What advice do you give to students preparing for college?  You should think about after graduation, not the name of the university. I want you to think about ‘how what I learn at university will be used in society and how I can apply what I learn to work’, set future goals, and choose a university and major accordingly.

  One of the best decisions you will ever make is to attending SUNY Korea, because not only is it a top-tier university system, but it also allows you to join an exceptional community to help build a global network for your international career. Janar Osmonaliev is a CS graduate who got accepted to Meta. Here is his story at SUNY Korea and a message to his colleagues who major in Computer Science.   Why did you choose to attend SUNY Korea? I always wanted to study overseas, either in the United States or South Korea. So, in that sense, not only did SUNY Korea align perfectly with my goals, it also offered me the best of both worlds. It is also worth noting that SUNY Korea provided me with a scholarship and financial aid during my studies, which was very crucial. What are some of your valuable achievements during university? Personally, I think that successful completion of class projects with professors/students is an important one. They might seem insignificant from a macro perspective, but those small chunks of experience and knowledge helped me get where I am today. What is your most memorable experience at SUNY Korea? Ha-ha, I do not think it’s possible to pick only one, there are just so many. But what I can say is that all of them were shared with my close friends and the staff I have met at SUNY Korea. Also, shout out to Student Affairs and Career Center teams, you guys are amazing! I heard that you got a job at Meta. Congratulations! What was your motivation for applying to Meta? I guess it’s no secret that FAANG (used as a general term for top tech companies in the U.S. here) is the most sought-after place to work among engineers. It is a place where you can truly achieve your full potential and bring a positive impact to the world with your skills. How has SUNY Korea prepared you for a career at Meta? FAANG companies have a very competitive applicant pool. Students need a very solid expertise in the engineering field they are interested in. Luckily, I was taught by some of the most passionate professors. I want to express my gratitude to Prof. Kwon for solid algorithms/data structures foundation, Prof. Omondi for nurturing a strong sense of principles/morals, Prof. Ryoo for giving extraordinary projects that improved my problem-solving skills, and finally Prof. Kuhn for mentorship and support of my initiatives. Meta has a reputation for asking difficult interview questions. How did you prepare for the job interview? The job interview process was almost 2 months long - it was very challenging. I was interviewing in the Front End Engineering pipeline. Although I cannot share the details of the process, I would advise students to have an excellent understanding of JavaScript, specifically the features of ES6. What will your job responsibility be at Meta? I am currently going through the bootcamp process, soon to select a team to join. I am really passionate about design and overall product quality. Therefore, I want to work on user-facing products with high impact. Where do you see yourself in five years? I think it is an inherent human nature to strive for bigger and bigger achievements. Within the next 5 years, I want to gain more ownership of a product/service that I am passionate about. Apart from career growth, I also want to grow as a person and pursue a noble goal. I hope to dedicate more time towards nurturing enthusiasm for technology within the younger generation of people in Kyrgyzstan. Do you have a message for SUNY Korea students? Be bold. Do not settle for mediocrity. Do not spend time trying to fit in. And finally, if you are passionate about something, try to bring something new or do it differently.

The Department of Computer Science (CS) forms the foundation of your international career. A Korean student who has majored in Computer Science has experienced an international environment at SUNY Korea, which supported her to get a job at LG Energy Solution located in the States. Here is her story at SUNY Korea and how she made it as a Vision Systems Engineer at LG Energy Solution.   [Questions about SUNY Korea] Why did you choose to attend SUNY Korea? I always aspired learned various cultures from various people, but I had no chance to study abroad before entering SUNY Korea. As a student who was only preparing for the Korean SAT, it was not an easy decision to go to a foreign country right after graduating high school. When I had these worries, I happened to find out about SUNY Korea, and it was the perfect school to solve my concerns. The number of students per professor is several times less than the average U.S. universities, so it is much easier to interact with professors. Also, with a small number of students, many friends including foreigners can interact more closely. By choosing SUNY Korea, I was able to learn various cultures, English, and even the field that I wanted to learn. What are some of your valuable achievements during university? There is a saying that a Korean university is hard to enter, but easy to graduate, but a foreign university is not. I totally agree with that saying. However, as graduation is difficult, I could learn a lot about my major in depth. I earned three things during university. 1. I learned how to communicate with people of various nationalities by using English. 2. I learned the life of a U.S. university student. 3. I became a semi-master in computer science. What is your most memorable experience at SUNY Korea? The most memorable experience at SUNY Korea is doing team projects and assignments all night at CS commons. Also, I remember studying for exams with my friends in the library all night with energy drinks. Those memories make me feel nostalgic.   [Questions about LG Energy Solution] What was your motivation for applying to LG Energy Solution? As a Korean who studied abroad, I hope that Korea companies will expand their market globally. LG Energy Solution aggressively invests in the South America market, and is the number 1 company in the electric vehicle battery market. That’s why I applied to LG Energy Solution. LG Energy Solution has a reputation for asking difficult interview questions. How did you prepare for the job interview? First of all, I collected as many interview questions as I could from LG Energy Solution through the internet, and I prepared all answers. Also, through the career center, I prepared common questions for the interview and got several tips for it. They coached me in detail about how to deal with unexpected questions, and even how to make eye contact through the video interview, and so on. What is your job role at LG Energy Solution? My job title in LG Energy Solution is Vision Systems Engineer. Like any large company, LG Energy Solutions also outsources several software programs, including Machine Vision, to its vendors. These necessarily require maintenance through numerous variables in the manufacturing process. My role is to trouble shoot and analyze/improve those vision systems using computer basis knowledge. Also, I am improving deep learning models for certain process. Where do you see yourself in five years? In order to build a smart factory, computer vision systems have become an integral part, and the person dealing with them has become important as well. Also, most automakers, including Tesla, want to emulate the manufacturing process of LG Energy Solution, especially for vision systems. In five years, I hope to become an expert in this field and become a person who can greatly help LG Energy Solution maintain the world’s No.1 electric vehicle battery market. Do you have a message for SUNY Korea students? Enjoy yourself and have fun during your time in college because it is a once in a life time opportunity. But also, be sure to work hard.

Htet Zin Maung, SUNY Korea TS graduate, started working at EY in March. His current job responsibility is searching for governance, risk and compliance (GRC) technology solutions to deliver exceptional client experience to EY’s client companies. Htet says “[his] TS major equipped [him] with basic technical-skills acumen as part of the life-long learning journey.”   Please introduce yourself. I am Htet Zin Maung from Myanmar (Burma). I majored in Technological Systems Management (TS) with a minor in Engineering and Technology Entrepreneurship (ETE). I came to SUNY Korea in Fall 2017 and graduated in December 2021. What are some valuable achievements / memorable experiences that you had as a student at SUNY Korea? Of all the activities that I participated in during my time at SUNY Korea, some of the remarkable and valuable experiences that I had were working as a residential assistant (RA) and the vice president of the Undergraduate Student Council (USC). In addition, I was also one of the student ambassadors of SUNY Korea. All these experiences were memorable as part of my college student life at SUNY Korea. How has SUNY Korea prepared you for a career at EY? SUNY Korea provided me with knowledge and skills required to stand out in the global working environment; in particular, my TSM major equipped me with basic technical skills and business acumen as part of the life-long learning journey. Of course, my professors were also great valuable mentors and instructors to prepare me for my career. What is your current job responsibility at EY? Are you enjoying your work? I am currently working to come up with governance, risk and compliance (GRC) technology solutions to deliver exceptional client experience to EY’s client companies. I enjoy working at EY as well as enjoy working in a consulting environment in general because it gives me exciting opportunities and many new things to learn every time. Could you share any tips for SUNY Korea students who are looking for jobs? I highly recommend my fellow students to actively look for a job and gain as many experiences as possible such as internships and doing research. Building a good resume and finding the most relevant job position are also the keys to landing a job. Don’t forget to reach out to the career center too since they can help you a lot and prepare you. Where do you see yourself in five years? I want to become a technology leader on the global stage to harness the emerging technologies for the benefits of our society and environment. I also see myself inspiring my community to innovate and cultivate ethical technologies. Do you have a message for SUNY Korea students who wish to follow your path? I would like to kindly encourage the students to always look out for any opportunities and be open to any chances. I don’t like being strict on myself in a way that I will choose only one path. I always have an open mindset to explore and learn any industry/field because we are still young and should have the courage to take any opportunities.

  The Computer Science (CS) Department at SUNY Korea Stony Brook University equips students with future-oriented knowledge and skills.  Identical to that at the Stony Brook main campus, the CS program at SUNY Korea provides professional education in computer science to prepare students for a career in the computing field. Are you curious to find out what SUNY Korea CS graduates are up to after graduation? Please check out the story of Rediet, a CS graduate at SUNY Korea.   Could you briefly introduce yourself? My name is Rediet. I am originally from Ethiopia. I did my bachelor’s in Computer Science, specializing in Artificial Intelligence, with a double major in Applied Math and Statistics, at SUNY Korea. I am a Stony Brook 2021 graduate. What is your current job responsibility at Microsoft? Tell me about your career path after graduation. After graduation, I joined Microsoft. I work in Azure which is a Cloud+AI organization of Microsoft. I work specifically in the Network Verification team. We verify any type of Network configuration changes to make sure that the Network is safe before and after the changes are administered. What is the most memorable experience/achievement you had as an undergraduate student at SUNY Korea? SUNY Korea has introduced me to different people from different cultures and backgrounds. The environment we had there helped me to expand my mindset and experience the world that I am living in right now. The time we had together to learn, help each other and even hangout and do activities despite our differences was the most beautiful and memorable experience. Midnight breakfasts right before exams were also memorable. How do you think SUNY Korea’s CS program shaped you as the person you are right now? The CS program at SUNY Korea has prepared me to tackle the challenges I face every day as a Software engineer. Starting from the programming skills I need to do my job, to working professionally in a team-setting, these qualities were all introduced through the classes I took. But mainly, despite the details, the biggest thing I learned is to be able to work on projects and technologies that I am not familiar with by teaching myself during the process of doing it. This is a very important skill to have, because we live in a dynamic world, so the ability to keep learning and update oneself without being intimidated is crucial. Do you have any tips for students who are looking for job opportunities? For CS students who are looking for a job, I would advise them to make coding their habit and solve problems on sites like leetcode or hacker rank on a daily basis. However, the ability to categorize questions into different buckets and approach them strategically is more important than solving a lot of problems. So, I don’t want them to be caught up with doing questions rather than learning from them. I would also encourage them to be content in the application process and focus on the process rather than the result. The process of looking for a job can be frustrating, but it helps them brush up on their skills and prepare them for the job they want. Failing an interview can be unpleasant but it is part of the process. Hence, they should be comfortable with that and continue to learn and try again. I would also recommend them to apply to as many places as they can and do a lot of interviews, rather than just waiting for “the one interview”. They should take the opportunity to interview when they can. Even if you don’t want the job, you will learn from the process of doing the interview as it prepares you for future interviews.

  The Department of Technology and Society (DTS) at SUNY Korea Stony Brook University equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for career success in the 21st century. Identical to that at the Stony Brook main campus, the DTS program at SUNY Korea provides an education that unifies traditionally separate disciplines into an integrated unified whole to address problems in society. Applying concepts and tools drawn from natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences, the Department examines and enhances the relationship between technology and our society. Are you curious to find out what SUNY Korea DTS graduates are up to after graduation? Please check out the story of Yerin Cho, a DTS graduate of SUNY Korea, now working at Samsung Electronics.   Could you briefly introduce yourself? Hello, this is Yerin Cho, a DTS graduate of SUNY Korea, currently working at Samsung Electronics. I am a person who gains energy from interacting with others as my MBTI is ESFP. My life goal is to share with others in need and contribute myself to make a better world through technology. I love traveling, exploring regional beverages at travel sites, and recording my memories in videos. What is your current job responsibility at Samsung Electronics? Tell me about your career path after graduation. I joined the Global Sales & Marketing Team at Samsung Networks, which is in charge of network business at Samsung Electronics. Since I have only been here two months, I have spent most of my days at new employee training. After the OJT, I will be assigned in one of the regional groups to work as a global sales person so that I can make a contract with global MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) to provide Samsung Networks’ telecommunication solutions like 5G devices and software. After graduating from the DTS undergraduate program, I joined in the graduate program to research the DRR (disaster risk reduction) field. After graduating from the master’s program, I worked for the ETHOS (Entrepreneurial Talents’ House of Opportunities and Supports) program operated by SUNY Korea and World Bank Group for a year. While working for this project supporting ICT start-ups in developing countries, I got interested in the private sector, especially in the telecommunication sector, which led me to apply for Samsung Networks.  What is the most memorable experience/achievement you had as an undergraduate student at SUNY Korea? The most memorable achievement that I had as an undergraduate student was when I was selected as a recipient of the Academic Excellence Scholarship. It was special to me because it was the scholarship that I was awarded after my most challenging semester. As a DTS student, I realized that the basis of every technology is CSE, and I wanted to challenge myself to overcome my weakness in programming. Even though I knew that I will not get a good GPA while taking a lot of CSE programming courses, I went for it to broaden my perspectives and cognitive thinking. Through this experience, I learned how to manage limited time and how to utilize the human resources around me who could help me to overcome my weakness. In addition, I was lucky to get good rewards from my effort, which kept me challenging myself for higher goals. How do you think the SUNY Korea DTS program shaped you into the person you are right now?  The DTS program forcibly put me in a position to acquire both technical and managerial aspects when facing a problem. I could experience predicting and analyzing the interaction between the society and a variety of technology including AI, IoT, blockchain, and 5G, which broadened my perspective. I could see the big picture of every matter of fact, which made me decide to work in the telecommunication field, since I thought telecommunication technology is the fundamental technology which enables future industries such as UAM, metaverse, and remote healthcare. Do you have any tips for students who are looking for job opportunities?  I recommend challenging yourself in studying and participating in different types of activities to find which industry or task fits you. In addition, I recommend constantly updating yourself with job boards, so you can read as many job descriptions as possible. In this way, you may find a position that fits you even though you might not have made a precise decision on your career path. If you keep challenging yourself to learn a variety of subjects and participating in as many programs as you can, you will find the job which fits you.