Summer Doeun Kim

Summer Doeun Kim '25 MHRIR: Striving to improve employee experiences

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Summer Kim Headshot

Program 
'25 Masters of Human Resources and Industrial Relations

Hometown

Seoul, South Korea

Fun Fact About Yourself

I love making 3D printings and usually spend most of my time at the Makerspace in the Health Science Library. I also love learning. In my free time, I engage in micro-learning about the newest technology. My latest project involved getting ideas from Hugging Face.

Undergraduate School and Major

University of Minnesota, B.S. in Human Resources Development

Most Recent Employer and  Job Title

Curriculum Developer at the University of Minnesota

Connect with Summer on Linkedin

Meet the Carlson School community and learn about the experiences and career connections we offer.

 

What was your initial reason or motivation for pursuing MHRIR? 

From a young age, I have been driven by a desire to positively impact the lives of others. In college, I discovered that talent acquisition could be a practical career path to achieve this goal. By ensuring fair employment practices, I aimed to address issues of social inequities and provide individuals with opportunities for better healthcare, sustenance, and education. Understanding that the first point of contact or given opportunity is through a Talent Partner, I focused on candidates' skills rather than their backgrounds, striving to improve their lives and those of their families by opening doors to better employment opportunities.

By 2023, I’ve held several talent acquisition roles, building lasting relationships with candidates and employees. Despite the fulfillment, seeing layoffs made me feel powerless, prompting my application to this program. I aim to transition to an HR Business Partner role, using data to mitigate over-hiring and layoff impacts. This commitment drives me to protect employees and honor the trust candidates place in me, hoping to make a significant, positive difference in their lives and families' futures.

 

Why did you choose the Carlson School?

Carlson's Human Resources program is celebrated for its excellence, a reputation strengthened by the remarkable contributions of its alumni year after year. This consistent achievement underscores the program's ability to prepare students for significant roles in HR. My early interactions with the program director were not only welcoming but also deeply informative, offering insights that positively influenced my educational path. The continued guidance and support from the program director have enriched my learning experience, solidifying my choice to pursue an HR education at Carlson.

 

What has been your most valuable Carlson School experience or lesson so far?

My most rewarding experience at the Carlson School was working under the guidance of Heather Petrucci while I served as the Graduate Professional Program Assistant in the Carlson MBA & MS Admission Office. Heather elevated the standards of professional excellence in learning and development, ensuring comprehensive onboarding, access to pivotal resources, and consistent support for students' career advancement. Her exceptional mentorship enabled me to achieve milestones that previously seemed unreachable. I plan to adopt her effective practices for employee treatment and development in my own professional endeavors.

 

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Carlson School’s MHRIR program?

My program director often emphasizes the importance of trusting the process. If you are diligent and adaptable, you should apply because the admissions process is fair and thoughtful, carefully considering each individual's story and life. Once you're at Carlson, you'll quickly see how a strong work ethic opens the door to greater opportunities, and you'll find yourself surrounded by equally motivated individuals. By the time you graduate, having worked among such driven peers, you will likely find yourself on a path to achievements beyond what you initially imagined. Watch how your life unfolds and explore the new paths that emerge. If you feel nervous, take that as a sign you're making a significant decision. Trust in yourself and take action. I will always wish you the best from afar.

 

Photos courtesy of Summer Doeun Kim

Summer Doeun Kim smiling with three of the Small World Coffee event staff.
This photo was taken at the beginning of Fall 2023 during my favorite Friday event, the Small World Coffee Hour, featuring its staff. Supported by the International Student and Scholar Services, this program was the first event I ever attended back in 2018 when it was held at Yudof Hall. It remains my favorite event to this day, and I have attended most of the events from Fall 2018 up until now, Spring 2024.
Summer Doeun Kim in a group photo with the Culture Corps team of the International Student and Scholar Services.
This photo was taken at the beginning of Fall 2023 and represents the Culture Corps team of the International Student and Scholar Services. I was involved with this team in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023, and I am still involved in 2024.
Summer Doeun Kim with three classmates posing next to the Mississippi River with the Minneapolis skyline in the backround.
This is probably one of my favorite photos of the year. Some of our cohort went for a pizza lunch at my favorite park, Boom Island Park, in Minneapolis.
Summer Doeun Kim and friend in front of large gift box made of lights.
This is a photo of me and my cohort, Erica, attending the last GLOW Holiday Festival at CHS Field. We initially visited for Carlson Marketing content purposes, but it turned out to be a great event held in downtown St. Paul at CHS Field.
Summer Doeun Kim posing with five classmates by a lake at sunset.
This is a photo of my cohort in the Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations program. It was taken during our last gala event of the year at the Port of Excelsior, where we traveled around Lake Minnetonka.
Summer Doeun Kim smiling with three of the Small World Coffee event staff.
This photo was taken at the beginning of Fall 2023 during my favorite Friday event, the Small World Coffee Hour, featuring its staff. Supported by the International Student and Scholar Services, this program was the first event I ever attended back in 2018 when it was held at Yudof Hall. It remains my favorite event to this day, and I have attended most of the events from Fall 2018 up until now, Spring 2024.
Summer Doeun Kim in a group photo with the Culture Corps team of the International Student and Scholar Services.
This photo was taken at the beginning of Fall 2023 and represents the Culture Corps team of the International Student and Scholar Services. I was involved with this team in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023, and I am still involved in 2024.
Summer Doeun Kim with three classmates posing next to the Mississippi River with the Minneapolis skyline in the backround.
This is probably one of my favorite photos of the year. Some of our cohort went for a pizza lunch at my favorite park, Boom Island Park, in Minneapolis.
Summer Doeun Kim and friend in front of large gift box made of lights.
This is a photo of me and my cohort, Erica, attending the last GLOW Holiday Festival at CHS Field. We initially visited for Carlson Marketing content purposes, but it turned out to be a great event held in downtown St. Paul at CHS Field.
Summer Doeun Kim posing with five classmates by a lake at sunset.
This is a photo of my cohort in the Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations program. It was taken during our last gala event of the year at the Port of Excelsior, where we traveled around Lake Minnetonka.

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