Name: Mi Sun (“Sunny”) Kim
Graduation Year: 2008
Major: double major in Marketing and Management, minor in International Business
Current Position: Lead Researcher
City and State: Jeju City, Jeju Province, South Korea
Tell us about your career and what you do now.
After my bachelor’s degree from Evangel and Master’s from Missouri State University, I went back to South Korea. While having multiple part-time jobs in academic teaching and research, I earned my Ph. D degree from Korea University in August of 2016.
I am currently working as a full-time lead researcher at Jeju Institute of Public Health and Health Policy (JIPH). I am in charge of overall research projects and education programs. Majority of my work is involved with public hospitals in Jeju Province and assisting the local government with evidence-based health policy development.
What is your favorite memory from Evangel?
One night, walking with my floormates outside, I had this intense pain in my stomach that almost made me pass out. My friends urged me to go to an ER, but I refused. Having been to an ER once before, I knew how expensive it was, and I could not afford to go. So my friends invited everyone they could find at Walther Hall to pray. Some of my close friends suggested I go to an ER promising me that they would help me pay for the bill. The hospital bill was $2,000. My friends wrote a letter to the campus pastor and President Spence asking for help. EU decided to give me $1,000 from the emergency fund. For the other $1,000, I set up a payment plan with the hospital to make the entire payment in 12 months with no interest. The “help me to help you” strategy that I’ve learned in Mr. Bernie Dana’s classes came in useful.
I ended up working at the very same hospital a few years later! Although God did not answer my prayers by making my pain disappear, He answered it in a much greater way. I am forever grateful.
How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?
Attending Evangel University itself was a miracle. I received the Lord as my Savior when I was 15 studying in the U.S. by myself as an exchange student. Although I wanted to go to a Christian University, my non-Christian parents wanted me to go to a well-known prestige school. I convinced my parents to visit Evangel with me when they came abroad for my high school graduation. I fell in love with the campus right away and felt at peace, but my parents did not feel the same way. Eventually, I convinced them that Evangel was the right place for me. Once I was at Evangel, I was ready to receive “the answer” for my calling-a job title, location, company name, etc. Instead, Evangel helped me to learn about Christ personally, intellectually, and spiritually. It helped me identify that putting God first IS my calling. In doing so, I am where I am today.
How did your experience at Evangel prepare you for life after graduation?
I acquired both practical and academic knowledge from Evangel. My business department professors did not just teach me what was in the textbooks, but they created opportunities for me to do projects for local companies. EU professors helped me to get internship experiences, and gave me opportunities to present team projects at SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) competitions.
Additionally, I was blessed by the faculty and staff members at EU who looked out for me with love and prayers. The midnight prayer meetings I had every night with my girlfriends in Walther Hall helped me to stay strong. Through my time at Evangel, I was not only academically ready, but I was also spiritual ready to go and face the world.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?
The time you spend in Evangel is a great opportunity to build a foundation in your relationship with God. And that foundation will become a great need once you are out in the workforce. There will be times when you will doubt yourself and question your capabilities.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
In learning to decrease my thoughts, ways, and perspectives while increasing His thoughts, ways, and perspectives I gained the clarity, knowledge, and humility that is needed to get far in life.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?
I would hire someone with confidence. People are drawn to people who are humble, yet have the unshakable confidence. You might not have the work experience or elite backgrounds, but knowing that we are sinners saved by the blood of Christ and that your life is in God’s hands will give you all the confidence you need.