Where are you from?
I was born in Raleigh, but have lived in Charlotte for the last 10 years.
What high school did you attend?
Marvin Ridge High School
In your opinion, what are the 3 best things about UNC Charlotte?
1. Our campus is really pretty.
2. Our professors are really great and very accessible. They will always make time to meet with you if you need help with a course or just need career advice.
3. The university is constantly growing and always improving.
Where is your favorite place on campus?
This might make me sound like a dork, but I really like the library. I’ve spent a lot of time there over the years and have a spot on the first floor where I always go to get my work done.
What is your favorite Charlotte restaurant?
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
What was your favorite class that you have taken and why?
My favorite business course was Dr. Jennifer Ames Stuart’s Marketing Analysis & Decision Making. Dr. Stuart is extremely knowledgeable and her course was packed with real-world applications that I can actually see myself using in my professional career. I never felt like I was wasting my time with definitions or outdated business concepts in her class. Outside of the business program, I really enjoyed taking Chinese over the years. Learning a foreign language will always be a challenge, but Professor Liu and Zhou made the process very fun and engaging.
Tell us 3 random things about yourself.
1. My first English words were “Go, go Power Rangers.”
2. My career bucket list includes working in the fashion industry, working in Asia as an expat, and becoming trilingual.
3. I love NPR’s Planet Money, How I Built This, and Politics Podcast. Now that I have secured a full-time position, I’m very excited to start donating to NPR.
What major(s) did you pursue and why?
I double majored in international business and marketing with a minor in Chinese. As a child, I always wanted to ride in airplanes and wear suits, so international business seemed like a natural fit. Through my internships, I became very interested in data and have always had the most fun in my marketing courses so I decided to pick up a marketing analytics concentration towards the end of my junior year.
Why did you choose the Belk College of Business/UNC Charlotte?
UNC Charlotte is the fastest growing university in the UNC system. The university was ranked in the top 10 up-and-coming universities in the nation by Forbes. My family also lives in Charlotte and I wanted to stay close to home.
What activities were you involved in when not working or studying?
I love to play guitar and have played for about seven years. I also like to read style blogs.
What has been the best part of your academic experience?
The year I spent studying abroad in Shanghai and Seoul was, without a doubt, the best year of my life. I chose those two cities as my study abroad destinations because of my interest in fashion business, Mandarin Chinese and Korean. I met so many inspiring people and I made friends from all over the world that I still contact regularly. It was an incredibly enriching time for me and has played a huge role in shaping my professional aspirations. There would be nights when my roommates and I would stay up just pitching start-up ideas to each other or talking about what the economic implications of a unified Korea would be. I used to dream of living in New York City, but after my year abroad, I would choose Shanghai or Seoul over New York City any day.
How would you describe the Belk College of Business to someone who is thinking about applying?
I would describe the Belk College of Business as a program that has all the benefits of a large university without being too crowded. I have friends who have gone to other universities and they would tell me that their professors don’t know who they are because the class sizes are 100+ students or it is impossible to get a meeting with an advisor. I haven’t had any courses with more than 50 people at UNC Charlotte, my advisors would always remember me when I would go in for meetings, and my professors were always accessible and very willing to give advice. Being located in a hub like Charlotte also allows us to have a lot of great career opportunities, especially if you are interested in the finance industry.
Have you utilized any professional development from the Robert A. Niblock Student Center for Professional Development?
I genuinely believe I wouldn’t be where I am without them. I’ve had four internships throughout my undergraduate career and I found three of those through Hire-A-Niner. The only reason the other one wasn’t found through that platform was because it was in Shanghai. I recently accepted a full-time offer with an internet marketing agency in Raleigh and the University Career Center played a huge role. The interview process was three stages and I met with advisors before each stage. They helped me with everything from my cover letter, interview tips and even salary negotiation! They’re really awesome and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the services offered by the College and University.
If you have received a scholarship or financial aid, how has that helped you?
My dad immigrated to the United States from South Korea in the late 1980s with less than 100 dollars in his pocket and supported our family through hard work. Both of my parents still work 50+ hour weeks at their small business, so any weight I can take off their shoulders is always a blessing.
What scholarship did you receive?
I received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Halton Study Abroad Scholarship, and the Belk College of Business Scholarship for Study Abroad.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m going to South Korea for the summer after graduation to spend time with my family and girlfriend. I’ll be moving to Raleigh after Korea to start working at ROI Revolution, an internet marketing agency.
