Open Lounge

When I first came to Korea for my PhD, I thought my main challenge would be research. I didn't realize how much I'd have to figure out after graduation. During my PhD, I spent years solving technical problems, writing papers, and working on research projects. But as graduation got closer, I started wondering: What comes next? Finding a job, understanding the Korean job market, dealing with visa matters, and figuring out how to turn years of research into an industry career were challenges of their own. Looking back, I wish I'd started thinking about my career earlier and talked to more people who had already made the transition from academia to industry. Living in Korea also taught me a lot beyond research. Adapting to a different country and figuring things out along the way helped me grow in ways I hadn't expected. Today, I'm working as a Senior RF Engineer in Korea's semiconductor industry. Looking back, I realize that preparing for life after my PhD was just as important as the research itself. If you're an international student in Korea, don't wait until graduation to think about what comes next. For those who've studied or worked in Korea, what's one thing you wish you'd known earlier?