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‘Let your heart set the destination’

This is an inspirational sentence I have recently heard from one of my friends studying in the UK who attended a motivational coaching lecture provided by his college aimed at advising to the graduates. I am also in many ways in a position to make a decisive decision on things associated with my future career, preferably as the aforementioned sentence instructs. In this sense, there are several motifs & reasons behind my intention to proceed with my plan to study American Area Studies.





Motivation of Human Resources Management.

My original interest in Human Resources Management(HRM) was fostered by my father who worked as a Human Resources Manager for 20 years. In early 1990's, there has been no effective systematic approaches for HRM in Korea and employers view HRM as an auxiliary function in a firm, contributing nothing to that firm's output. On the other hand, my father believed that HRM plays a crucial role in promoting productivity. He continually made efforts to learn an advanced concept of HRM by reading books from abroad such as U.S and U.K. Therefore, I had many chances to read those books that have helped me to realise the importance of HRM. Fortunately, during the junior years, I have had opportunities to apply my knowledge into a real practice by organising other students as a representative in my class for athletics competitions and choir competitions. It was also a good chance to realise not only assigning and training but also appropriate incentives played a crucial role in encouraging goals. All of these experiences have inspired me to be interested in HRM.



Practical Experience in HRM

Motivated by my strong interest in HRM, I have served in the Republic of Korea(R.O.K) army as a Human Resources Specialist (Military) in Regiment 52 Division 211 for 26months. I have been responsible for providing technical advice and guidance as to a wide variety of Military HR Programs that include strength management, personnel readiness, retention, replacement operations, awards, records management, evaluations, accessions, separations and personnel actions. In this moment, my childhood experiences have played a crucial role accomplishment to be a Human Resources Specialist. I firmly believed that HRM was a vital function in the overall effectiveness of the organization. I have, first, tried to maximize the potential of all enlisted service members for magnifying the accomplishments of individuals. After that, I have tried to contribute to unify members to accomplish the overall objectives. As a result, I have successfully contributed to six important missions without any accident during the service. Also, I have continued to use rewards and punishment according to Military HR Programme to achieve acceptable behavior management and motivation. In consequence, our unit have ranked best for fewest accident and assaults in winter 2004. The experience I have had in army have given me a valuable opportunity to gain versatile practical experiences such as problem solving, organisational planning, communication skills and IT skills.



Previous Academic and Practical Experience in the UK

Having been as a Human Resources Specialist in the Army, I wanted to study the advanced concept of HRM by going to the U.K as my father have done by reading the books. I took a BA in media and communications at Goldsmiths college, University of London, rather than HRM for the following two reasons. First, as a international student, I felt that I needed to learn cultural background of the UK and Europe to understand how their thought process work (culture??). Goldsmiths College is well formed to provide international students with opportunities to meet other European students who could share similar and diverse backgrounds. Also they provided an excellent education with up to dated knowledge of social phenomena (???? ??????) Second, I wanted to focus on social science perspectives from the course with its social, political, psychological and philosophical implications.

My three years long undergraduate programme has enabled me to become a better understanding of its society, culture and people and various practical experience. I have learnt about critical perspectives and their associated theories. In James Curran's "Structure of Contemporary Political Communication" course, I have learnt theoretical insight and empirical information from the fields of media sociology and political science in the U.K. For my assignment, I analysed how the combined impact of globalisation and digital technologies is shifting the way of communication in the U.K. Working for it provided me with a great deal of opportunities to explore how businesses such as BBC and other media groups deal with the impact of globalisation and digital technologies. In Tim Crook's "Media Law" course, I have gained freedom of expression in varying cultural and political contexts and understanding the ethical issues in news and general programme production and broadcasting. His lecture especially on "Human Rights and International Law for Journalists" inspired me to connect HRM with the impact of Human Rights Act 1998 which incorporated into UK law some of the specific right and freedoms contained within the European Convention on Human Rights. In Angela McRobbie’s course, “Culture, Society and the Individual”, I have studied the formation of subjectivity in social and political change, the growth of individualisation, and how it operates in the context of globalisation by reading the works of Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens.

As part of my intention to get to know more about the society, I have worked at Jungang Media Group as a correspondent covering various cultural issues in the U.K. every month. I have interviewed various types of people with different backgrounds to cover up various subjects. It gave me a precious insight into the western society. I have developed not only interpersonal communication skill but organisation skill through interviews with doctors, artists, restaurateurs, and even mothers. I am without a doubt certain that these nearly-three-year-long experiences at the practical sectors in combination with my university one will be important for my working toward a more advantaged degree program.

Reasons to Apply to LSE and Future Plan

My professional experiences and my commitment to education would be an asset to LSE’s programme, which appeals to me for several reasons. First, from Professor Linda Walker's "Human Resource Policy and Practice" course, I would like to explore the challenges that current businesses are faced by social change such as globalisation, government legislation, ethics, and managing diversity, by forging a link with companies. Second, apart from giving me theoretical aspects, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualification will strengthen the foundation of my HR knowledge. CIPD is the leading professional body in the UK by providing the latest and leading-edge thinking and practices. The opportunity will enable me to develop solutions that help organisations meet the challenges of today's business environment. Finally, LSE is part of 'The European Masters in Labour Studies’ that is one of the most successful of the European network. I am keen to have the opportunity to extend my experience and knowledge in the European universities such as award-winning University of Bremen and University of Toulouse. It is also a good chance to learn other languages that will be valuable for my career in the global industry.



Equipped with thorough understanding of human resource management, I wish to work for multinational companies managing global manpower. However, just managing human resources only with already developed ways wouldn’t be able to challenge me enough. My ultimate goal is to figure out new, different approach towards HRM practices in real business field. I wish to develop myself as strategist in human resource management.





Conclusion

I have had different experiences in my positions as a HR Manager and Correspondent. This knowledge base has helped me establish professional goals for myself within the HR industry and strengthened my desire to obtain a Postgraduate Study in Human Resources Management. Therefore, obtaining further education is imperative if I wish to pursue my career goals. Gaining a MA degree is not the only reason I want to attend the university. It will better equip me to run a management team through my newly found theoretical knowledge. It will provide me information on all modes of management in relate to employment relations, organisational behaviour, employment law, as to which I have little experience. I am very clear about my academic interest and my future career objectives. As a discipline originally rooted in the Western society, management science is undoubtedly a field of study whose teaching and research western universities are most good at. Therefore, I am determined to apply for a Master’s programme The London School of Economics and Political Science, arguably the better of the best western universities in social sciences.