Download KSEA Letters 40-3, Apr. 2012 [pdf] - Korean-American ...

KSTLC 2012
TESTIMONIALS
“PATH FINDER”
[Youngbum Jun]
Ph.D. Candidate, Drexel University
As I continue my study at Drexel University as a fourth year Ph.D. student, I realize that the more I get into my own
research field, the narrower my choice on my career gets; the choice between academic career and other options outside
the academia. When I was in much need of guidance and mentorship, KSTLC 2012 was the perfect and fulfilling
opportunity. The academic panel discussion provided participants with extremely useful information on academic
career in the US. All the panelists were very enthusiastic about sharing their know-how’s in their career fields and personal
stories of their success and failures. Through the discussion and Q&A’s, I was able to see the big picture of the academic career.
“SUSPICION TO ADMIRATION”
[Dongjun Kim]
Undergraduate Student, University of Southern California
Despite of my long concern about how I can network with unfamiliar people, the happy hour social enabled me to not
only get to know others but also form an unbreakable, close friendship with them. Everyone in the conference shared
the same hardship in their challenged journey for career in the US whether it’s due to the English as a second language,
different culture, social custom, or academic difficulty. The shared trait of experience and culture was significant
enough to catalyze the highly energized covalent bonds among participants and discover their new stability assisted by new friends.
Moreover, extremely well-organized and brilliantly picked programs like Special Seminar on Networking & Communication by
Dale Carnegie Institute was just perfect for the participants who all suffered from the difficulty of communication and networking
in their 2 nd language. Particularly, Dr. Seungbum Hong, who works at the Argonne National Laboratory, deeply touched my heart
with his infinite passion to help the young; in his national lab technical session, Dr. Hong asked for the phone numbers and e-mail
addresses of every single participant and even took pictures of them so that he can not only help those desperate and hard-working
students but also form a profound, long-term mentor-mentee relationship through which he could constantly support his mentees.
Overall, I feel privileged to say that I leave with strong love toward my new friends, complete respect toward the mentors, and most
importantly, full admiration of the extremely hard-working organizers behind the curtain.
“OFF TO A GREAT START”
[Seung-Jin Lee]
Post-Doc, US Environmental Protection Agency
Prior to attending the conference, I didn’t know what to expect as this was the first KSTLC and I only knew a handful
of people. But once KSEA President Hosin Lee stepped onto the podium and delivered his opening speech, I knew we
were all in for something special. As usual, his humor did not fail to amuse us all. And I agree with him on one point:
my best decisions in life were marrying my wife and being a part of KSEA. Nothing in life is more valuable than health,
family and the people you’re surrounded by. I believe KSEA has provided a big chunk of that value. All the panelists
motivated me to work harder, and their invaluable words of advice were more than helpful in taking the next steps in my career.
Being a 1 st or 1.5 th generation Korean in the US can be pretty tough. There are cultural differences and language barriers to adapt to,
all of which can affect our experiences in school or workplace. Whether you’re here to start a business, get an education or simply
turn your life around, life as a foreign minority can be quite challenging, especially when there’s a lack of guidance along the way.
That’s why KSTLC felt very close to my heart. It was an event for people just like me who have had similar experiences and can
share their stories of success and failure. As one of the oldest participants, I felt grateful that I was able to share my experiences with
students and researchers in similar fields. However, in the end, I think I was the one most inspired. It was amazing to learn from all
the hard-working young professionals around the country. They definitely made me proud to be Korean.
Time flew by way too fast, and I only wish it had lasted longer. I’d like to thank KSEA President Lee, Dr. Byoung-Do Kim, and all
the organizers for putting together a very rewarding conference. Thanks to all the sponsors as well. Our experiences would not
have been so rewarding if not for all the hard work and time they invested. I look forward to being a part of KSTLC and KSEA for
a long time coming, so please continue to organize KSTLC and build on its programs. And don’t forget, we are now one big family!
KSEA LETTERS Vol. 40 No. 3 April 2012
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