It's been almost half a year since I started taking online MBA classes at Stanton University. The online format for classes and evaluations differs from in-person interactions. The Stanton University MBA program operates by first studying from textbooks, then solving problems and completing assignments. I prefer this method because it's the best option given my current work environment.
While working on cost management and marketing assignments, I suddenly recalled my undergraduate days. I entered Seoul National University about 20 years ago, and things have certainly changed since then. When I entered, we were admitted as undergraduates and chose our majors in the second year based on our first-year grades. I witnessed cases where poor first-year performance led to undesired major assignments, forcing students to take classes they disliked until graduation. It seems Seoul National University's popularity has waned significantly compared to when I was admitted.
Out of curiosity about the courses I took, I logged into the "Seoul National University Portal." The interface and login system have changed, appearing cleaner than before. Interestingly, my 20-year-old information was still there, allowing me to see my old phone number.
While I don't remember much about the course content from that time, I recall hanging out with friends, attending classes, doing assignments, and chatting. I did take several finance-related courses, which sparked my interest in accounting and finance, leading to my current career in the financial sector. Most of my friends from that time have similar professions. About half are lawyers, prosecutors, or judges, while others are professors, accountants, or employees in large corporations or public enterprises.
Recently, I had a chance to talk with a middle school student who said, "Seoul National University is useless. You can't even get a job after graduating. It's best to become an influencer or celebrity to make money." Times have certainly changed since my era. When I entered and graduated from Seoul National University, our life trajectories seemed quite similar to what they are now. I wonder if that middle school student will later realize the outcomes of their peer group.
While working on Cost Management and Global Marketing assignments, I recalled my training experiences. While working at a financial institution, I regularly took exams at the Korea Financial Training Institute. I remember not focusing much on cost accounting and managerial accounting during those classes as they weren't particularly useful in my work. I studied from books and took exams at nearby public schools.
Fortunately, the Cost Management textbook was easy to understand. Following the professor's assignments brought back memories and made calculations enjoyable. Cost accounting inevitably involves a lot of calculations. While the assignments aren't calculation-heavy, the textbook primarily deals with calculations. An interesting point is that I previously learned cost accounting and management in Korean, but now I'm studying and doing homework in English. I feel I can now explain these concepts in English, experiencing firsthand how the language of learning affects content explanation.
For example, there are Job-order costing systems and Process cost systems. These two calculation methods differ due to the production process. Job-order costing focuses on producing a single item or service where materials aren't simultaneously involved in producing other items. Process costing is more complex, introducing concepts like UOP and requiring different treatments based on concepts. These become important when dealing with calculation problems, though MBA tests didn't seem to focus much on these aspects.
I suspect MBA assignments don't emphasize calculation problems because the MBA's goal is to produce good decision-makers rather than calculation-proficient juniors.
On the other hand, I found the case studies in marketing interesting. While reading books and understanding cases is meaningful, I found researching case studies more useful. The title "Global Marketing" initially felt pressuring, but as I progressed through the course, I realized I didn't need to globalize myself. Instead, I could learn from globalized company cases, deciding what to adopt and what to be cautious about. Marketing isn't just about "Advertisement" and "Promotion"; this course made me pay more attention to "Cost allocation," "Strategy," and "Regulation." After all, selling products and services isn't solved by advertising alone.
I found failed cases more helpful than success stories. Interestingly, since no one wants to voluntarily discuss their failures, forced disclosures of failed cases often appear. The success or failure of a case is usually proven by objective numbers like sales, net profit, and ROA. I find this approach rational, as a company's survival is determined by customer spending and how that money is used, not by emotional support.
While taking online MBA classes, I thought there might be networking opportunities. I expect the school will prepare something as online MBAs become more prevalent. I plan to visit the school and talk with staff when I travel to the U.S. for work next year.
Having experienced difficulties with Woke Culture during my previous studies in the U.S., I'm grateful that the school doesn't impose such things.