[Youth In Small Businesses] ③"Small Businesses Are Better in 10 Years"<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Interview with SNU Prof. Huei Jae Pahk, Ex-Director of Youth Hope Foundation

Small Businesses Provide Better Opportunity Than Strictly Systemized Large Companies

Following Europe’s Example, Stronger Industry-University Collaboration is Needed

Prof. Heui Jae Pahk, SNU Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Photo=Tae-hyeon Shin)

[EDAILY Jung-yoo Kim] “Thinking about 5 to 10 years in their career, the best workplace for young people is small businesses, not large companies. It’s also better for them to have experiences in a setting where they are able to fully use their capabilities, which isn’t really possible in large companies that insist on strictly following a manual. There’s a big difference between a passive and active life.”

During his interview on April 19^th, Professor Heui Jae Pahk from Seoul National University’s Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering commented that “it’s more efficient for young people to enter smaller businesses and use their capabilities in a variety of ways, rather than living a passive life as a mere cog.”

Until early this year, Prof. Pahk served as the Director of Youth Hope Foundation, connecting small businesses and young people looking for employment and providing financial support. Prof. Pahk is also well-known as an entrepreneur who founded SNU’s first venture company, SNU Precision. Although he is no longer working at YHF, he continues to be involved in issues about youth employment and startup companies.

“Currently, young people have a high level of global competence, but it’s true that large companies do not provide an environment where they can use their abilities to full extent. Large companies already have a strict system set up, but small businesses would allow young people to construct their own manuals as they go,” he explained. “It’s tough, but the experience is rewarding because you direct yourself on how you work. It’s a great opportunity for improving competence and advancing your career.”

Prof. Pahk highly approved of young people’s decision to enter small businesses after considering work experience and self-fulfillment, not just the scale of the company. “There are plenty of smaller businesses that are just as competent in technology and company vision. Working in small businesses offers a wide variety of experiences ranging from research and development to sales and marketing, which will also help in establishing startups in the long term.”

Prof. Pahk also added that a more active industry-university collaboration is necessary in order to connect young people with small businesses. “They don’t have information about what kind of work small businesses do and what kind of abilities they require. Holding career fairs might have been effective so far, but it would be more effective to establish stronger industry-university collaborations so that young people can be informed on different types of companies and work experiences,” he emphasized.

Link to article http://www.edaily.co.kr/news/news_detail.asp?newsId=01161126619178088&mediaCodeNo=257&OutLnkChk=Y