The-I Prep GRAD
Sample SOP(Statement of Purpose)

Statement of Purpose

Technology of today as well as the advent of the Big-Data era has brought about complete change to humanity. In particular, businesses are sporadically responding to these global changes in search of new opportunities as well as better cater to the needs and demands of their clients. This global phenomenon is also true in the field of hospitality. Based on my professional experiences at both Conrad and Hyatt Hotel, serving in the marketing and management division, I have seen how these global hotel entrepreneurs struggled to adapt to the new environment as the dynamics of the industry and the service provided changed. Furthermore, execution of multiple case studies and independent researches during my Masters programs, coupled with the necessary theoretical tools and foundations, I have witnessed the need for new marketing and management strategies in the hospitality industry. In fact, the traditional division of hospitals based on pure size of the enterprise or the functionality is currently undergoing tremendous change due to the emergence of hybrid hotels serving multiple roles previously reserved in different categories. Therefore, through the Ph.D. program at Cornell, focusing on marketing and management, I am thrilled to explore and suggest new theoretical guidance and practical solutions faced by the hospitality industry in best responding to the everchanging global and market dynamics of the industry.

My initial interest in hospitality industry stems from a very personal background. I loved to travel, and as a French Literature major, I spent many summers and winters in Europe, especially in France, enjoying the wonders of the cultural richness foreign destinations offered. And at the center of these experiences was my hotel experiences – The stays in Shangri-La, Hyatt, and Intercontinental in France were similar but different from the experience I had back in Asia. While they showed similarities, it emitted a different ambiance: the culture of the local state was reflected and the hotels, depending on the purpose, all showed similarities but differences. Therefore, wanting to learn more about these hotel franchises as well as seeing a potential future in the industry, I enrolled to the Post Graduate Diploma program in Hospitality Management at Glion Institute of Higher Education where I saw that hotels served more than a catering purpose – it was a business where I saw potentials. In fact, as global society is continuously entering an aging society with higher income, more and more people will be relying on the hospitality industry to not only benefit from the travels people more frequently engage but more importantly enjoy the benefits hotel institutions provide to the local communities. Therefore, upon witnessing the growing potentials, I decided to explore further into the subject matter by working at Grand Hyatt Seoul.

Working at the Sales and Marketing Division at Grant Hyatt Seoul, coordinating VIP summits and conferences like the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit as well as coordinating with multinational pharmaceutical and financial firms, my understanding of the hospitality industry expanded. It served multiple social and economic functions beyond my limited understanding. Furthermore, when Conrad Seoul launched its first hotel establishment in Korea, I was recruited as the Coordinator of the Business Development Team. Here I founded the Events Sales Team, establishing new businesses for the company. In fact, building various customized marketing and sales strategies as well as recommending new business plans for the company, I found great satisfaction as I was able to create new business relationships with global companies like JP Morgan, UBS, and even the United States Embassy in Korea. However, as I became more involved in both the external marketing as well as internal management affairs ranging from SCM systems management to outside-vendor management, marketing and purchasing, I began to facing certain limitations in my professional abilities – While I enjoyed and showed tremendous potentials for professional developments, I often faced limitations as my theoretical foundations lacked in both business and the hospitality industry. Therefore, after four years of experience in the field, I decided to continue my role in the hospitality industry through the M.A. program at Kyung Hee University.

As a Hospitality Management major, I erected the necessary pillars of knowledge and theory through various case studies and research endeavors. However, one thing I found which I had failed to realize before was the widespread prevalence of technology based developments. In fact, since early 2010s, there has been continued debate on the significance of Technology based self-serive (TBSS) in the hospitality industry as compared to the traditional human touch service (THTS). Therefore, wanting to know how technology has transformed the industry, I wrote several papers entitled “Research on the Influence of Technology Based Self-Service (TBSS) in the F&B Industry,” “Research on the Implications of 3D Printing in the Hospitality Industry” and “Research on the Influence of Wearable Technology in the Hospitality Industry.” These endeavors helped me to find an intimate relationship between technological developments and the hospitality industry. In fact, many hotels around the world have recently introduced individualized cell-phones, tablets, and even robotic services for guests in each of their rooms, enabling the guests to utilize the benefits of technology through the palm of their hand.

This is only one of the many influences technology has had in the hospitality industry, and through the Ph.D. program, I would first like to explore this relationship between technology and hospitality industry, especially how enterprises have adopted and utilized these technological developments in its innovative marketing practices. In fact, I am aware that the Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell has provided several forums in exploring the role of technology in changing the dynamics of the hospitality industry. In particular, the innovation management related works by Professor Cathy A. Enz, especially her recent publications like ‘Why Hotels must make room for innovation” is directly reflective of my research interest. Furthermore, article by Professor Mona Anita K. Olsen entitled Hotels make high-tech part of high-class clearly demonstrates the need to rethink the hospitality industry through the lens of technology. Therefore, utilizing the research and roundtable opportunities at Cornell, coupled with expert advice from Professors like Professor Enz, I want to explore many innovative management and strategic schemes hotels must take to not only maximize business profitability but more importantly elevate customer satisfaction, responding to the ever-changing needs of ‘high-tech’ and ‘connected’ group of individuals.

Furthermore, I believe debate on innovative management strategies with active utility of technology and the changing global environment cannot be discussed without a discourse on ‘Big-Data.’ In fact, recently, publications like “Global Study Reveals How Big Data will Transform the Hotel Industry” and “Hospitality Analytics: How Data Can Make Hotels Smarter,” academics and professionals alike have looked into ways to fully utilize the benefits of big-data in building a more successful business in the hospitality industry. These data range from customer information to company data-analytics, covering the entirety of the industry. These endeavors have shed new directions to corporations as well as finding new markets like aligning conventional enterprises with the health industry and many more in creating a hybrid form of business crossing the traditional division of businesses. In fact, in 2015, Cornell has explored this topic in depth through the “Hospitality HR and Big Data Roundtable discussions,” and I look forward to continuing this debate through my proposed studies with the many experts at Cornell from multiple disciplines ranging from Information Systems, Management, and Marketing.

I currently see the hospitality industry in a phase of transition. The conventional functions have eroded partly due to the changing global environment but most importantly, society demands the hospitality industry to actively utilize developments in technology and utilization of big data for its very survival. Therefore, through the study of marketing and management, I would like to explore and provide critical insight into the current changing dynamics of the industry as well as how to best respond to this ‘information’ and ‘connected’ environment of today and tomorrow at Cornell.

[Summary]

In graduate school, I had performed an independent research project on “Laser induced Shockwave Cleaning” with the intention of eliminating nano-sized particles from silicon wafer with strong shockwaves by focused laser. It was this experience, as well as participation in different research projects to calculate, predict and design engine room, heat exchangers and fans of excavators at my current employment that has persuaded me to pursue a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering. Therefore, in graduate school I hope to focus my research on interfacial science including transfer phenomena or boiling, and multiphase (spray or slug type) flow during my Ph.D. program. To this end, I believe guidance from Professor Kirby and Professor Avedisian at Cornell University will help me to successfully perform my academic inquiries, exploring into the future of liquid-solid-gas interfacial science and multi-phase flow.

Statement of Purpose

I have had a wealth of experience from undergraduate and graduate studies to job at work. At the graduate school and corporate labs, for example, I was part of teams doing experiments on the equipment-synchronized Shadow graph visualization and particle elimination tests on the micro/nano domain. I am also familiar with several other test tools such as the AFM, CEM, optical microscope, and pressure and velocity transducer. In addition, I am conversant in designing experimental setup from the micro domain on the optical table to the large domain such as the engine room of excavator. Plus, I have working knowledge in the CFD and meshing using commercial tools such as STAR CD, Scryu/Tetra, Hypermesh and ANSA. On top of these skills, I have had extensive experience in presentations in regular intervals in front of large groups of people, including faculty members and corporate executives. I have fairly good command in spoken English thanks to the experience of working with several Bobcat (the construction equipment company) engineers on a group project. I believe that these abilities of mine will provide the foundation for me to further experiment, observe, and interpret physical phenomena in the micro nano domain during my Ph.D. program.

The following are the research questions that I want to pursue in the Ph.D. program: First, I want to make important contributions in shedding light on physical effects, such as transfer phenomena, boiling, bubble generation, vaporization that occur in the liquid-solid-gas interface, and derive physical principles behind them. In addition, I wish to lend support to developing applications related to these by catalyzing or suppressing the interfacial phenomena. Although there has been much advancement in this area, it is as yet unclear precisely how and in what mechanism these diverse surface conditions affect the multi-/single-phase flow. During my Ph.D. program, I’d like to delve into these questions; that is, how the change in surface conditions (or the change in electro-kinetic properties) would influence the liquid-solid-gas interface; and how these would control the varied physical effects. In many different applications such as micro-/nano-sized devices and channels, I also would like to find ways to apply the physical effects.

Another area of interest to me is the multi-phase flow. Although the area of multi-phase flow has many valuable applications including spray, jet impingement, droplet flow, and slug/plug flow in micro/nano sized channel, it is not yet possible to predict with precision. It is also premature to predict the surface interaction, droplet physics, and transfer mechanism on the multi-phase phenomena in case where gas is the major component such as spray and jet. For this reason, I’d like to deepen my understanding on the multi-phase flow and find out precise physical phenomena in the micro/nano domain. I also want to do in-depth research on the mechanism on the spray- or jet-style multi-phase flow and the physical effects that occur when coming in contact with diverse surfaces.

I have long been aware that Cornell’s mechanical engineering department is one of the few places in the world that have produced consistently high-quality research output in the areas of heat transfer, fluid and thermo dynamics, energy and thermal system in terms of both theory and practice. The cumulative knowledge at Cornell has been the greatest attraction to me. First of all, I hope to have a chance to work with Professors Brian J. Kirby and C. Thomas Avedisian. I was deeply impressed by Prof. Kirby’s research in nano/micro channel flow, interfacial science, lab on a chip, and many other research efforts he had pursued during his career. His areas of interest match very closely to what I want to work on in my Ph.D. program. The areas of specialty such as micro boiling, film boiling, droplet physics, and jet impingement-based multi-phase flow research, the strong points of Prof. Avedisian, also interest me enormously. If I have an opportunity to work at Prof. Kirby’s Micro/Nanofluidics Laboratory or Prof. Avedisian’s groups, I would like to find out the precise physical effects of the solid-liquid-gas interface under differing conditions, as well as its applications.

After successfully completing all the requirements of the Ph.D. program, I want to have a career in which I can make full use of what I have learned in school. The main research interest of mine lies in answering physics questions related to what’s happening in the solid-liquid-gas interface. For the purpose of enhancing my career in this specialty area, I plan to work in the world’s best manufacturers such as Samsung (Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, more precisely) and Intel, or research centers like Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Los Alamos National Lab., Bell Lab., and Sandia National Laboratory, working in areas such as transfer phenomena related applications and other bio or chip-related physics applications.

Since I had a near-death experience during my childhood, I have always wanted to make meaningful contributions to society in order to repay what I had received from the people around me. By focusing on the understanding of the solid-liquid-gas interface, I want to be part of the scientific endeavors to come up with new innovative applications such as new cooling devices and brilliant mass transfer methods and thereby play a role in improving the welfare of all the people in the world.

Statement of Purpose

“Those who look to Nature as a support for their landscape architecture works collaborate with the Creator.” When I first entered college and exposed myself to different courses in landscape architecture design, I realized that while artists performed on stage, nature was the playing ground for landscape architecture, delivering humans closer to the benefits of the natural environment. However, as I mesmerized in the idea of bringing green benefits to the dull grey urban environment I could not but help feel the limitations in these small units of parks scattered sporadically in urban settings: they only served as a ‘green oasis’ in the midst of the desert of urbanization. In fact, while spaces should guarantee continuity and harmonization with its surroundings, my proposals were artificial and separated: they were empty, lacking contents.

But, when I participated in the IFLA Design Competition, I began seeing possible answers to this dilemma: If I had been obsessed in expanding the size of the area, I began pondering on the functions of these spaces – spaces were opportunities to respond to the social, cultural and economic changes as well as to prepare for the rapidly changing natural environment. Thereby, turning my attention to the natural environment not as a source of ‘decoration,’ but rather as a mechanism in responding to the changing natural environment, I proposed the “Fluctuating Tidal Infrastructure” for my graduation project. All major cities have rivers, including Seoul, and recent climate changes have produced mass flooding, devastating many regions around the world. So, I believed that if I could create flood plains on the wetlands around the river, introducing the natural flow of the river into the heart of the city, I could not only bring the benefits of nature closer to people but also build a natural infrastructure to safeguard against natural catastrophes.

Through this experience, I realized that our surrounding natural environment could become a valuable source for creating creative new opportunities. However, despite this realization, I soon faced many ‘real’ problems which I had failed to consider. In fact, while I had successfully devised a mechanism to create an idealistic harmony between nature and urban infrastructures, I had completely discarded many practical aspects, critical for the realization of urban infrastructures: negating the true demands and needs of the residents. From this, I realized that consideration and analysis of multiple factors, like human resources, natural resources, social structure, and social demands were fundamental behind all planning activities thus decided to continue my studies in this field through graduate school.

First, I would like to reinforce my knowledge on landscape architecture and environmental planning. Today, represented through the perception of ‘landscape urbanism’ in perceiving urbanism, there has been growing emphasis on the scope and expressed contents behind landscape architectural plans and designs. However, in order to successfully utilize and harmonize the natural environment in future environmental planning, one must not only be skilled in design planning but more importantly, have profound knowledge of the natural environment and its possible implications; being versed in various tools for ecological and social analysis; having the ability to incorporate scientific data into environmental planning; and having the ears to listen and reflect the needs of the local residents as well as considering the economical and socio-political aspects. Therefore, in graduate school, I will focus on expanding my knowledge on environmental planning, thus manifesting my skills in comprehensive analysis and planning as to contribute to the enrichment of human civilization through the benefits of nature.

In addition, if given the opportunity, I would like to explore the relationship between water-resources and urban development. I envision the role for future urban development is in guaranteeing sustainability in response to the continued climatic changes. In fact, during the past two centuries, many have focused on reinterpreting the spatial byproducts of the rapid industrialization, which human society had experienced. However, recently, much attention has been shifted to exploring different plans to develop the unlimited potentials of the water/river-front resources, as most clearly represented through the “Development of Thames Estuary” project in England, the “Lower don Land” project in Canada, as well as the “Minneapolis Riverfront Design Competition,” and “Waller Creek Design Competition” in the United States. However, despite these growing attention and success cases, vast majority of the available water resources has been utilized for rainwater treatment and sewage treatment purposes, despite its unlimited potentials. Therefore, rather than continuing the current practices, I would like to direct my research on utilizing the water resources as a source to not only respond to the changing climates but also satisfying the demands of post-industrial sites. I believe that these endeavors in return will help to revitalize and regenerate the urban environment of today and tomorrow.

To this end, I believe the graduate program at MIT DUSP provides the optimum environment for my proposed research. MIT, as a frontier for innovative movements and interdisciplinary researches, collaboration among the branches of urban studies, environment studies, and architecture will help me to address the proposed research topic from a comprehensive perspective. In particular, the City Design and Development program encourages researchers to incorporate landscape architecture as well as urban design and environmental planning from a multi-facet perspective, considering the political, economical, and environmental factors, emphasizing research, theory and practice. In addition, enrollment in courses like the ‘Water, Landscape and Urban Design’ will help me to combine water issues with urban design, while courses like the ‘Politics of Ecosystem Management’ and ‘Complexity, Ecology, and Policy Design’ will provide the necessary theoretical foundations in process, methods, implementation and techniques to execute my proposed studies. Furthermore, I am excited to receive advice from Professor Alan Berger, focusing on integrating environmental issues with the economic and programmatic realities of the site. In fact, the “System Design; Wetland Machines on Pontine Marshes” through the P-REX project is reflective of my research interest, and I look forward to address the most pressing environmental and social challenges under his guidance. Also, the works of Professor Eran Ben-Joseph, especially his current research on “Urban Form and Ecological Model of Development” will help me to explore different schemes to utilize nature in responding to the pressing climatic changes.

I believe landscape architecture or environmental plans should not be limited to simply creating or re-interpreting existing spaces. Rather, they should be directed to reflect the interests of the residents within the site, which I expressed through the “Safe Common” and the “Village with Water.” Furthermore, in college, I learned the close correlation between environmental planning and nature as well as participating in different competitions to abridge theories with reality like the IFLA and ASLA competition with “Evolving Boundary” and “Fringe Urbanism” proposals respectively. Additionally, participation in various group projects as well as serving as a drill sergeant in the military helped me to appreciate the value of leadership and team spirit. Therefore, I would like to bring these experiences to the MIT community, sharing my experiences and knowledge.

Upon graduation, I would like to apply my learning in practice by working for firms like AECOM and SWA, focusing on the impact of climatic change on future urban developments. Furthermore, I would like to add scientific validity to my future research efforts by employing scientific and physical data in to my proposals. I believe environmental and regional planners are more than mechanics or technicians: they proactively respond to environmental changes. Thus, with this confidence, I am excited to take the next step in my career at MIT and beyond.

Statement of Purpose

Economics, outside the school of economics, is often related to the management of assets or even strategic understanding of stock investment. This was the generic questions I would often receive from my colleges in the military. It is true the economists have conjured up sophisticated theories like the “Fifty Percent Principle” and the “Rational Expectations Theory” where claimed the players in economy will act in a way that conforms to what can be logically be expected in the future. However, as I became more subject to these questions, I began questioning the role of business.

At Berkeley College, I majored in business administration management. In fact, even as a business management major, I had exhausted my efforts in the subjects of accounting and math, as I believed the numerical analysis and predictions were more logical and acceptable – tutoring peers in subjects like Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, and Microeconomics. Furthermore, in late 2008, I lived in the height of the subprime mortgage crisis. For me, this was unacceptable – in school I was bombarded with how people act rationally and how markets strive to prosper, always supported by lengthy historical documents on the evolution of the market, the market had collapsed. I must have been missing something from my studies.

Therefore, I sought for answers in economics – in fact, enrollment in courses like Macroeconomics had given me hopes that the only possible way to go beyond the vulnerable human factors was to better understand the governing numeric behind economic activities. Therefore, with this firm belief in economics in helping me to better understand the market, I decided to major economics, with emphasis on math at University of Wisconsin-Madison. At UW Madison, I manifested my knowledge in economics, especially opening my eyes on macroeconomics by enrolling in various courses like Macroeconomics Theory – in particular Issues in International Finance course helped me to add logical and mathematical details to understanding the financial impact of the subprime mortgage. Here, I realized the importance of failures of both the risk management and mathematical financial modeling on the outcome as well as imperativeness of ethical decision making and financial modeling.

As I slowly manifested my interest in economics, I wanted to apply my knowledge in a more practical context, so, I began to take active part in the Korean Economic Student Association, both as a member and a vice-president. Here, we initiated a research among many on discussing the effects of reducing government expenditure by the Korean government would have on the economy, especially those on family finances as well as whether the determination of the international oil prices based on AD-AS curve could be explained and predicted by the theories learned in class. The more issues we exposed ourselves through the lens of economics, the more understandable the world economy could be accepted.

Therefore with this affirmation, I proposed entering the Investment Simulation Project with couple of members of the Association. The project was set in a virtual reality using the actual web program used by Woori Investment and Securities Company. Based on our analysis of the market, as the Korean economy was slowly recovering and the volume of Korean exports of aviation products is continuously on a rise, we decided to invest in the stocks of Korean Airways (we excluded Asiana as they were facing liquidity problems resulting from excessive M&A agreements and strategies). Through this investment simulation project, I was able to grasp a bigger comprehensive understanding of economic phenomena as well as the inter-relationship between policy and international trade and finance. However, more importantly, I was able to gain firsthand practical experience on the validity of mathematical strategies, including the Theory of Probability and the Game Theory.

The project produced great learning: in fact it helped me to dream about my future as an analyst of Securities Company in Korea. However, at the same time, this experience has helped me realize my current limitations, especially in area of theories of finance, analyzing financial statements, valuation skills, and other professional knowledge required to succeed in this particular field. Therefore, I would like to expand my knowledge and pave the foundations for my future through the distinguished graduate program at Duke, through the Master of Arts in Economics.

In graduate school, I would like to direct my studies on building greater skills in determining asset pricing. We all remember the global catastrophic effect of the subprime mortgage crisis. But, what many do not know is that this all stem from inaccurate pricing of assets – becoming the cause for collapse of the financial markets. This understanding was solidified through my undergraduate studies and I strongly believe that greater theoretical understanding of the asset pricing model through mathematical analysis would help me to analyze, predict, and even prevent these financial crises from occurring in the future. Furthermore, expanding my studies on portfolio theory, and asset management based on optimized and rational asset pricing is another interest of mine as it would help me to devise many workable solutions to help individuals, corporations, communities, and even countries to effectively respond to the ever changing dynamics of the international financial markets.

To this end, I believe the Master of Arts in Economics is ideal. First and foremost, the flexibility of the program premised on robust quantitative approach to economics would be ideal building the necessary academic pillars for my future studies. In particular, through the Financial Derivative (ECON 674) I look forward to solidifying my understanding of futures and options, while the Selected Topics in Economics would help me to apply my theoretical knowledge to the pressing issues of today, adding practical validation and experimental spirit to the theoretical knowledge. In fact, the offering of extensive courses on various topics of economics through the lens of economic theory and microeconomics, coupled with analytical approach would be ideal in preparing myself for a future in asset pricing. In addition to these curriculum offerings in class, I am excited to utilize the experimental learning spirit hosted through various venues like case study events, internships, and distinguished speaker series would provide strong incentives and foresight into my future, where I would learn the wisdom and experiences of current leaders to better design my future.

Now, I stand at a critical juncture in my professional career, and I believe the Master of Arts in Economics will provide the ideal foundational training necessary for me to grow and excel as a professionally analyst upon graduation.

Statement of Purpose

What do you think graphic designers do? Yes, they use computers, but, what makes them unique? Many associate graphic designers in lump with fine artists using a different tool. But, graphic design encompasses so much more – it is communication: they are masterminds of visually solving problems.

However, may are unaware of this communicative function of graphic designers, where I was no exception. In fact, during the early stages of my professional career, I was walking along the thin line of creativity and expression. To be honest, with the arsenal of modern technology at hand, the horizon of my creative endeavors seemed limitless.

In particular, I frequently used Typography in my graphic design pursuits - typography can change the entire look and feel of a visual art: It induces the audience to my story through engagement, guidance, and persuasion. But, in reality, this is often lost in transaction due to lack of theoretical basis.

Therefore, in graduate school, I would like to reinforce my theoretical knowledge on Typog-raphy. Participating in over 100 projects, I realized that graphic design is so much more than just gath-ering pictures and words together - graphic designer must become the driving force behind this vehicle, with the ability to communicate the “Whys” and this is what I hope to achieve at Yale.

Also, I would like to participate in discourses in the essence of design and art. While working at the museum and other professional capacity, I witnessed the gloomy reality of commercialism ab-sorbing the world of art – where the meaning, historical value, and role is lost against influx of young artists pursuing the jack-pot. Therefore, rather than standing as an idol bystander, I want to be able to participate in this social discourse and provide the blueprint for future design endeavors.

To this end, I believe the MFA program at Yale provides the optimum environment for my de-sired studies. First, Typography is part of a wide range of graphic design studies at the Yale and I’d like to take the courses including ‘typography form+meaning’, ‘typography at large’ and ‘Typographic Methods, Conventions, and Experiments’ helping me to explore the core fundamentals, helping me to express the reasons behind my graphic designs. Furthermore, I’d like to develop the perceptual, obser-vational and compositional skills necessary to communicate a range of subject matter, ideas and con-cepts under the supervision of Professor Julian Bittiner as well as experimenting with various typo-graphic endeavors with professor Henk van Assen, improving both my technical skills and the way of thinking

Upon completion of my studies at Yale, I would like to be a better visual communicator, work-ing methodically and systematically to communicate clearly. Also, living in the days of commercialism and big business, I’d like to be unwhippable and unwhipped designer, protecting one’s belief as a de-signer and artist. Through these career developments, ultimately, I wish to establish a firm foundation in the future so my works could act as a conduit for the voices of people who needed help.

Statement of Purpose

Medical Management is a novel industry, a field which has only recently gained recognition. In fact, the medical industry has been subject to strict hierarchical division, where hospitals have been ranked according to its prestigious name values, somewhat deviating from the true meaning of medicine. However, since the mid 2000, the medical industry has faced many new developments like the boom in the plastic surgery sector and active government involvement in promoting medical services as a source of foreign investment, especially in Korea.

However, as a student at School of Nursing, I initially had intentions of dedicating my career as a nurse, living up to its noble cause. Therefore, in school, I enrolled in various courses to build both theoretical and practical medical knowledge as to become a better nurse. But, the more I emerged myself in the field of medicine, the more I pondered whether this was really my professional path. Although I wanted to contribute my services to the medical field, especially providing better services to the needed, I was uncertain whether the ‘assisting role’ of a nurse was what I wanted. Rather than actively serving the public through multifarious capacities, I could only vision myself stuck in a hospital unit, only caring for those who have been admitted to the hospital, and has been diagnosed by the doctor.

While experiencing these uncertainties and instabilities, I first came in contact with the field of medical service and management from a more strategic and business perspective through the enrollment in the Medical Service Marketing and Publicity course. Through this course, I realized that the future for students in the study of medicine was not simply limited to becoming a doctor or a nurse. Rather, remembering the recently publicized news on many traditional medical facilities engaging in active business strategies and marketing to not only to enhance its competitiveness but also provide better medical services to a greater public, I began having interest in the subject. Therefore, I would often consult with my professors and seniors about this new career path, which I had tremendous interest in.

While discussing this field with my academic advisor, I realized that the future of medical business management and marketing was prominent, and I could contribute to the general medical services beyond the scope of an operation room and hospital units. Furthermore, many seniors have expressed great content in their work, as they actively participated in the medical service industry. Therefore, I decided, without hesitation, to explore this career by joining a medical service management corporation upon graduation. However, I soon realized from different sources that having actual medical experiences outside school as well as reinforcing my medical knowledge would give me a competitive edge in this new industry, thus began working at the Health Promotion Center of Ewha Womans University Hospital.

At Ewha Womans University Hospital, I gained firsthand experience of the medical world. In fact, the reality was much more complex than what I had expected, and anyone, without actual knowledge of the medical field, would put future clients and patients in grave danger. Therefore, I tried my utmost best to gain as much experience as I can as a nurse, working around chaotic shifts. Upon completing my contractual period at Ewha Womans University Hospital, I did not extend my contract but applied to the National Cancer Center, where I would have more accessibility and involvement in the medical management businesses.

The National Cancer Center was very much different from my previous position. First, as a government facility, the entire medical staff seemed to lack the energy: there was a strong bureaucratic flavor in the hospital, and everyone was simply committed to their prescribed functionalities, not concerned with how to better the service or competitiveness of the center. Then came an opportunity that reinforced my determination to seek a career in the medical service management industry. I was responsible for give a presentation on effectuating the treatment of cancer patients. During the process, I not only highlighted the medical issues, but also suggested recommendation to increase customer satisfaction and center competitiveness through different managerial and service mechanisms. This was a great success in educating the staff in the importance of medical service management, but more importantly, it helped me to identify aspects of the industry which I required future understanding and knowledge. Therefore, upon recognition of these needs, I decided to pursue my studies in graduate school to better qualify myself to dedicate my service to the public as a medical service manager and operator.

First and foremost, I would like to expand my theoretical knowledge on health marketing in graduate school. This in return help me to pave the necessary foundation to better understand the history and current issues faced by the health industry as well as better prepare for the future. In fact, expanding my understanding of the current trend and issues of health care management in advanced and newly advancing countries would serve as a role model for the newly emerging markets like Korea. Furthermore, I would like to acquire the necessary knowledge from a strategic management perspective, to better operate the medical service industry from an actor perspective.

In addition, I look forward to familiarizing myself with various managerial perspectives, governing the organizational structures to not only better attract and provide medical services to the public but also add efficiency to the overall management and administration of the health service providing agencies. Finally, acquisition of these theoretical and practical knowledge will be imperative and essential as I am scheduled to embark on my professional career as a medical and health consultant upon successful completion of the graduate program, where I am going to be responsible for the general management and administrative affairs of hospitals in Korea upon completion of my graduate program.

Upon successful completion of the graduate program, I would like to return to Korea and embark a new career in the medical industry as a health consultant or in a managerial position for the management and marketing of Korean hospitals. I believe that my previous experiences as a nurse, coupled with the theoretical and practical knowledge gained through the graduate program will help me to optimize the service provided to the public as well as maximizing the management of hospitals in the medical industry. Furthermore, if given the opportunity, I would like to utilize my experiences to expand the services and enhance the competitiveness of medical facilities in the silver sector, as aging will become one of the demanding issues and problems faced by all nations alike in the future.