From Campus to the World: Soongsilians’ Stories

How will you live your life after university? What is your dream job for the future? Let’s hear from many graduating Soongsilians about how they are living and how they have achieved their dreams. …….Ed

     Since its founding in 1897, SSU has stood as Korea’s first modern university—a place where students from all walks of life come together, each with their own dreams, talents, and ambitions. Over the years, countless Soongsilians have stepped into the world, carrying with them the knowledge, passion, and spirit they gained on campus. ST sat down with three alumni from diverse fields to hear about their journeys, reflections, and heartfelt advice for today’s Soongsilians.

Q. Could you briefly tell us about yourself?

A. I majored in English Language and Literature, and I’ve been working as a political reporter at Yonhap News Agency since 2019.

Q. What drew you to the field of journalism?

A. My father was a reporter, so I naturally had a lot of interest in this field growing up. I always felt that being a reporter was one of the best ways to understand how the world works. The job also appealed to me because of the incredibly varied experiences it offers—some of which you cannot even imagine until you are in it.

Q. What was your campus life like at SSU?

A. I was part of the student council and an English literature club, and truly enjoyed my time at SSU. The days I spent with great friends remain some of my most meaningful memories.

Q. Do you have any advice for students who want to become reporters?

A. To become a reporter, reading the news and writing regularly helps a lot. Also, journalism is not just about writing—it is about people. You need to understand that being a reporter means connecting with others, not just writing well.

Q. Your major and current job

A. I majored in Electrical Engineering, and I currently work in electrical system design. I’m responsible for designing internal circuits for defense products, including control circuits, sensors, and measurement device circuits.

Q. Why did you choose this job?

A. When I first started preparing for employment, I didn’t have a specific industry in mind. Until my second year, I vaguely considered a career in circuit design, but in my third year, I took a course in control engineering. That was when I became interested in mechanical control and control systems, which eventually led me to seek a job that I could design and research in this field. That’s how I ended up in my current position.

Q. When do you feel proud in your work?

A. I feel proud when a project I’ve been involved in reaches its final stages and goes through commissioning or performance testing. It’s especially rewarding when the product passes verification without any major issues. Although it’s hard to go through this phase without any problems, seeing that the number of comments or issues has decreased compared to before makes me feel like I’m learning and improving — and that gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Q. Qualities needed for this job

A. As the defense industry is increasingly shifting from domestic to international markets, language skills, especially English, are very helpful. In my case, I often communicate directly with buyers, many of whom are from overseas, so I frequently use business English in my daily tasks. Another important quality is curiosity. Many people shy away from the defense industry because they feel unfamiliar with it, but a lot of the systems we work with can only be experienced within this industry.

Q. Most memorable moment from university

A. My most memorable moments were the school festivals in my first and second years. From my third year onward, I wasn’t able to enjoy them as much, but in my earlier years, the festival was the most anticipated event, and I was able to fully enjoy it without many worries. That’s why those memories were the most memorable moment to me.

Q. Please introduce yourself.

A. I am Baek Seung-min from the School of Sports. I am currently playing as a professional football player for Suwon FC.

Q. Can you tell us about your career path?

A. My father was an athlete, so I naturally leaned toward sports. At around ten, our team’s goalkeeper got injured, and since I was tall, I stepped in—and instantly loved it. That moment sparked my path. I later joined SSU, which has Korea’s first university football team, then moved on to the K League 1, the top division in Korea, to challenge myself and grow in a more competitive environment.

Q. What is something football has taught you about life?

A. I learned in middle school that how you organise your daily life shows on the pitch. So before matches, I fold my clothes and tidy up—small habits that matter. I also believe in sticking with something until it works. Even when things do not go your way, persistency brings result. I think that mindset is useful not just in football, but in life in general.

Q. What is your ultimate goal?

A. My biggest goal is to play for the national team and stand on the pitch at the World Cup and other major tournaments. And beyond that, I want to be the kind of athlete who has a positive impact on others. With new young players coming through all the time, I would like to be someone who can support them when they are struggling, because I have been there myself.

Q. What do you think makes a good athlete?

A. Someone who does not let their emotions take over. A lot of athletes are led by how they feel in the moment, but I think it is important to stay steady, especially when things are not going your way. You should not act on impulse just because you are frustrated. A good athlete knows how to keep calm and carry on, no matter what the situation is.

Q. Any tips or advice for Soongsilians?

A. I was fully focused on going pro and did not really enjoy campus life. Looking back now, I do regret not making more memories. I would really encourage Soongsilians to enjoy their time on campus—not just chase grades or careers, but make time for meaningful memories as well.

     Though each of the three alumni came from different majors and have taken different paths, one thing is clear: the Soongsil spirit lives on in those who boldly carve out their own way in the world. Whether in language, engineering, or sport, Soongsilians continue to prove that there’s no single formula or answer for success. ST hopes that today’s stories will encourage fellow Soongsilians to explore their own paths with confidence and a sense of pride in where they began.

Kim Ichelle (ST Reporter)

ichellekim@soongsil.ac.kr

Kim Hee-nu (ST Cub-Reporter)

heennx@soongsil.ac.kr