Full-time UST MBA

Meet Jiwon Kim

"St. Thomas has a climate that welcomes people from various backgrounds ... Thus, you can learn from students as well as from faculty members and in turn develop global perspectives."

I studied architecture at MyongJi University in the Republic of Korea. After graduating in 1998, I worked for Wonyang Architects and Engineers Co., Ltd., as a designer for three years in Seoul.

In 2000, I moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. I was an architectural designer for The Durrant Group, Inc., for five years, and for Leo A. Daly for one year. Now I am in my second year of the UST MBA program focusing on finance, especially in real estate investment and development.

At the beginning of the orientation day last year, one of the guest speakers who graduated with a UST MBA and owns his own company said that he is still using what he learned from the school in order to manage employees, finance and operate his company and analyze the economy. He also said his company is making a profit now. When I heard this one year ago, I didn't realize what it really means.

Now, after one year, I understand. A UST MBA is not only about theory but also about applying it to real world business. For example, I am working for a real estate consulting company, KIRA Asset, as an intern analyst in Korea and I am using what I have learned for a re-development project in Pusan, Korea. Marketing, finance, accounting, statistics, economics, management, etc.—each one of those courses is applicable to this practical project. What I am doing and what this company has been doing is not any different from what the University of St. Thomas has taught me.

The small size of the program allows you to have close relationships with faculty members—students' ideas and works are respected. Also, the faculty have very wide and deep connections with local professionals based on successful business with them in their own careers. With these, you can get a variety of opportunities to connect with business people in Minnesota.

Another benefit of the UST MBA is that you can expect personal care and a supportive culture. As a Catholic university, St. Thomas has a climate that welcomes people from various backgrounds in terms of ethnic, professional, national and socioeconomic origins. Thus, you can learn from students as well as from faculty members and in turn develop global perspectives. From my classmates, I have been learning different cultures and how they change as each country develops and grows. Due to this diversity, each student can make unique contributions not only about their social culture but also about business culture. St. Thomas' diverse community will help you to be a global leader.

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