Yejun Na
President of KSEA Angelo State University YG
The Career Development Workshop, the fourth event organized by the Young Generation (YG) Group of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) Austin TX Chapter at Angelo State University (ASU), took place on October 19th, 2024. The event, held at the ASU Lake House, primarily featured lectures by current PhD doctors covering topics such as graduate school insights and essential personal skills. Additionally, a Q&A session provided attendees with firsthand information about life as a graduate student. The workshop ran from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with lunch and dinner provided. Four Doctors conducting research at UT Austin were invited to share their experiences, and approximately 41 students attended the event to engage with them, gather information, and prepare for their futures. Out of 43 active ASU undergraduate members in KSEA, 41 participated, resulting in a remarkable participation rate of about 95%, the highest of any Fall 2024 event.
The doctors traveled from Austin to San Angelo to share their experiences and provide guidance to students preparing for their futures, undertaking a 3-hour, 30-minute journey to support them. The event began with lunch (McDonald’s hamburgers) from 12 PM to 1 PM, followed by lectures starting at 1 PM. Each doctor had 40 minutes to present, delivering smooth and well-organized presentations with prepared slides. They shared personal journeys, discussing pivotal moments, decisions made at critical crossroads, and the criteria they used to guide these choices. With each doctor offering a unique story, students were exposed to diverse experiences, inspiring some to resolve to work diligently toward their own goals. Short breaks were taken between each lecture.
Following the lectures, a panel discussion session was held, offering a highly productive forum where one student’s question often addressed the curiosity of others as well. Students raised questions about future planning, life attitudes, graduate research topics, and tips for a productive lifestyle. Additionally, students voiced concerns about whether to pursue employment or graduate school post-graduation, as well as inquiries about health management, given the importance of physical strength and well-being, along with questions on OPT visas and pathways to permanent residency. Throughout the workshop, the PhD doctors offered sincere advice, recommending effective strategies and cautioning against unproductive approaches, while wholeheartedly supporting and encouraging the students in their future pursuits.
After the informative academic session, participants enjoyed a group activity designed for social networking. They began with an ice-breaking game called the Gathering Game, where participants walked around and, at the host’s cue—such as “Gather in groups of 5!”—quickly grouped themselves. Anyone who failed to join a group of the specified size was eliminated. This was followed by a treasure hunt. Before the workshop began, the hosts hid chocolates numbered from 1 to 50 around the ASU Lake House. During the game, participants searched for chocolates, with the person finding the highest number getting the first choice of prizes. This activity added a competitive element, and participants enthusiastically explored the Lake House to find the highest numbers. The evening concluded with a Korean BBQ dinner, providing participants with time to network and chat, bringing the event to a successful and enjoyable close. ASU students expressed their gratitude to the doctors who had traveled a long way to attend, to the KSEA Austin ASU YG Group for organizing such a fun and informative event, and to the KSEA Austin Chapter for supporting the event and generously providing the budget.
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