The 2024 Young Generation Forum (YGF) was held at Rice University’s Student Center in Houston on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), this event brought together approximately 200 attendees, including undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career professionals, and a wide range of experts, professors, and hiring representatives. Thanks to the support of 15 dedicated volunteers, YGF delivered a memorable and impactful experience for all participants.
The day began with registration at 11 a.m., accompanied by a lunch. To set a welcoming tone, we opened with a lively trivia quiz centered around Texas and Houston. Students who answered correctly introduced themselves and received gift cards, creating an enthusiastic and engaging atmosphere.
Consul General Young Ho Jung offered opening remarks, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-Korea alliance and encouraging young talents to lead the way in scientific and technological collaboration between the two nations.
Our first keynote speaker, Mr. Yongjun Ahn, an attorney, presented “The Art of Success: Crafting Powerful Networks and Relationships.” He emphasized the critical role of networking in building a successful career, guiding students and early-career professionals on how to develop, maintain, and leverage connections for professional growth. Following Mr. Ahn, Dr. Hanchang Yoo, a retired professional from ABS, shared essential financial strategies in his talk, “Building Your Future: Smart Financial Moves for Young Professionals.” Dr. Yoo underscored the importance of early investment and sound financial planning as foundational steps toward long-term stability.
Following the plenary session, we divided into breakout sessions tailored to participants’ career interests. The Industry Session welcomed approximately 120 students and young professionals. Led by two moderators and five panelists, the session featured two consecutive 40-minute discussions dedicated to career development. The first segment, “Perspectives of an Early Career,” allowed panelists to share insights from their job search experiences and early career journeys, covering networking tips and strategies for building professional relationships. This interactive segment enabled attendees to ask questions and gain actionable insights on advancing their careers. In the second segment, “Digitalization & AI in Career Development,” a panel of AI specialists explored how advancements in technology influence career paths. The panelists shared their experiences with AI applications in industry, providing attendees with a forward-looking perspective on digitalization’s impact on career growth.
Simultaneously, the Academia Session catered to undergraduates planning for graduate studies as well as to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers interested in academic careers. Approximately 60 attendees, including three panelists, participated in this session, designed in a Jeopardy-style format. Panelists answered pre-set and audience-generated questions, sparking lively discussion and an engaging atmosphere. One memorable question—why Ph.D. holders are often depicted as villains in films—led to a discussion on the challenges and public stereotypes that academics often encounter. The conversation naturally evolved into a deeper exploration of the skills needed to succeed in academia, such as networking, leadership, and resilience, along with practical tips on managing stress throughout the rigorous path to becoming a faculty member. By sharing their own experiences, panelists offered students valuable guidance on academic career development.
In the Corporate Presentations and Career Fair segment, representatives from Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Jeil E&S, EM Solutions, and Sumika Semiconductor Materials presented an overview of their organizations and discussed hiring processes. On-site interviews were conducted by Jeil E&S, EM Solutions, and Samsung E&A, providing students with real-time opportunities to interact with recruiters.
The Meet & Greet session offered an informal networking opportunity, where guest speakers, panelists, mentors, recruiters, and organizational representatives were seated at tables, allowing participants to move around freely and engage in meaningful conversations. Dedicated tables for interview coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, and LinkedIn profile critiques received especially positive feedback, as they offered students practical guidance and personal feedback on career preparation.
A new addition to this year’s YGF was the Digital Resume Book, allowing students and early-career professionals to upload their resumes to a cloud-based platform accessible to KSEA, KOEA, KOTRA, and YGF’s partner companies. With support from KOTRA’s K-Move initiative and the Consulate General of Korea, the Digital Resume Book facilitated connection between job-seeking attendees and potential employers. This tool was particularly valuable during one-on-one resume reviews and interview coaching, where participants received personalized advice to strengthen their job search strategies. The Digital Resume Book is expected to continue supporting YGF events in the future, not only as a resume-sharing resource but also as a bridge to real-world interview opportunities and employment.
The day concluded with closing remarks from Presidents Jaewoong Choi and Kunho Kim, who expressed gratitude to the volunteers and participants, followed by a raffle draw for event prizes.
The 2024 YGF was a memorable success, setting new records for attendance and engagement. The enthusiastic participation and meaningful connections made throughout the day reinforced the forum’s role in fostering career development and community among young professionals. We’re grateful to our sponsors, organizers, volunteers, and all attendees who contributed to this year’s achievement. With this momentum, we look forward to welcoming an even broader YGF community in the years ahead.
We acknowledge the hard work of the organizing Committee:
- Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association South Texas/Houston Chapter (KSEA-ST/Houston): Jaewoong Choi (president), Crystal Shin, Jeongmin Park, Mu Sung Kweon
- Korean-American Oil & Gas Engineers Association (KOEA): Kunho Kim, Yongjin Lee, Cheolkyun Jeong, Leelook Min, Jinhyung Park
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