Purpose of the Event:
The goal of this event is to equip students with a deeper understanding of the job market and to help them develop strategies for different situations in their job search. By inviting industry professionals and Georgia Tech alumni to share their personal experiences, especially in navigating the job market in both the US and Korea, the event aims to offer valuable insights. Students will have the opportunity to connect with alumni and peers, receive guidance on improving their resumes and CVs, and prepare for interviews, ultimately helping them better prepare for the competitive job landscape.
Speaker 1: Chanwoo Kim (ADP)
Kim, a software engineer at the company Automatic Data Processing, addressed the issue of increasing competition for jobs in today’s society, and how the rising standards make it difficult to stand out among other job applicants. To counter this challenge, Kim suggested that applicants highlight their personal interests and character, rather than solely focusing on general qualifications such as GPA or projects because they are only a baseline and do not necessarily distinguish the applicant from others. He mentioned how through research and having a positive presence at career fairs, applicants can better promote themselves to their target companies. Kim then concluded his presentation by encouraging the applicant to utilize networking and step outside of their comfort zone through methods such as cold emailing people on LinkedIn and joining organizations beyond the Korean community to broaden their professional connections.
Speaker 3: Micheal Cho (AWS)
Cho’s presentation mainly focused on his own experience of how he became a solutions architect at Amazon Web Services. He briefly outlined his main focuses throughout his university years including what he would change if he were to go back; in particular, he encouraged students to apply for internships while in university because real-world experience cannot be gained through the classroom. Cho also stressed that students should strive to apply for positions as early as possible because internship positions are limited and fill up fast, after all, time is of the essence. To conclude the presentation, Cho gave a short summary of his tips on how one should prepare for an interview for an internship position, such as asking good questions, having a story prepared, and researching the company beforehand.
Speaker 4: Andrew Kim (Amazon)
Kim, currently a software development engineer II working at Amazon, centered his presentation around his own experiences as a newcomer in the professional workforce. He gave unconventional advice such as building rapport with interviewers in the application process and practicing speaking and answering questions on the spot as these smaller, often overlooked details are still highly valuable. Kim also shared insights gained from his time as a newly hired employee, reminding applicants that employers understand that new hires have limited experience and encouraging them to form connections with their teams, especially their managers, and ask questions without hesitation. He concluded his presentation with a final piece of advice that he learned during his time at Amazon: to document everything because it allows for the organization of past projects and experiences, and having everything well-organized will likely prove to be useful in the future.
Event Outcome:
Through the BSF1 event, participants gained valuable knowledge and insights into the job application process, along with unique and practical advice from each presenter, drawn from their personal experiences as newly hired employees. They also received useful information on how to stand out in the increasingly competitive job market and tips for reaching out and forming connections early, which will likely help advance their careers. In addition, participants gained a glimpse into the professional workforce, helping them better understand what to expect in the “real world.” To conclude the event, participants had the opportunity to network and engage in one-on-one conversations with the presenters, allowing them to receive personalized advice and practice expanding their professional connections.
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