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Corporate Investment in Talent: A Global Executive MBA Student’s Perspective
Patrick Kim shares his thoughts on making the most of the program
Written by: Melissa Solberg, contributing writer, Foster School of Business
Patrick Kim, a Senior Researcher at Hyundai Elevator and Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) Class of 2025 student, highlights how the Global Executive MBA program helped him gain key business and leadership skills.
You were carefully selected by your company to join the Foster School of Business Global Executive MBA program. What do you think is an important return on investment for your company?
I believe the most important return on investment for my company is the knowledge and skills I gained through the University of Washington’s Global Executive MBA program. Throughout the program, I learned a great deal in areas such as finance, accounting, marketing, and leadership. By applying these skills, I am confident that I can make meaningful contributions to the continued growth and success of my company.
Joining the program from an engineering background, what knowledge or framework from Global Executive MBA is most valuable and why?
When I joined the program, I had been with Hyundai Elevator Co., Ltd. as a Senior Researcher. MBA curriculum can be particularly challenging for students with an engineering background, as it covers business management topics that are quite different from what we studied before. Among the many things I learned, I found the leadership curriculum to be the most valuable. Before joining GEMBA, my goal was to become a team leader, not just any team leader, but a well-prepared one. Through the program, I realized that being an effective leader requires understanding concepts such as debiasing, diversity, and generosity. I believe that the GEMBA program has laid a strong foundation for me to become the kind of leader I aspire to be.
What advice would you have for future company-sponsored students to get the most out of their MBA experience?
If you have been admitted to the University of Washington MBA program as a sponsored student, it means your company has recognized your potential and invested in your growth with high expectations. Always keep in mind the responsibility that comes with this trust. Although one year in the GEMBA program may seem short, you can maximize your experience by actively networking and taking advantage of the company visits to leading US firms organized each quarter. I strongly encourage you to participate fully and make the most of all the opportunities the MBA program offers.
How do you think your GEMBA learning contributed to your promotion?
I believe that earning an MBA in the U.S., especially from a top university like the University of Washington, played a significant role in my promotion from a researcher to a team leader. I am very thankful for my company’s support for this opportunity and from the growth and learning from the GEMBA program at the Foster School of Business. I am excited and committed to doing my best to drive the company’s growth and success, repaying the trust and investment my company has made in me.
Learn more about the Foster Global Executive MBA program.
