This month we are proud to recognize Junwoo Cha, who enrolled in SolBridge back in 2012. This fall he will start his new journey as a tenure-track assistant professor from the Global Supply Chain Management Department at Mike Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State University. This interview is conducted with the help of SolBridge Alumni Association.

 

 

First of all, I am honored to be invited to this interview. I am Junwoo Cha. I joined SolBridge in 2012 and graduated in 2018. This fall, I will start my new career as a tenure-track assistant professor from the Global Supply Chain Management Department at Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University. I am thrilled about this new journey and upcoming research and teaching.   

 

As far as I know, you were the first Korean graduate to graduate with a Ph.D. Did you have any special reason or motivation to pursue your Ph.D.?

After being discharged from the military and returning to school as a senior student, I was uncertain about my future. It’s a feeling many of us experience at some point, isn’t it? On one hand, I wanted to start a business, secure a job at a large company, and enter the working world. Yet, I felt it might be wiser to follow a conventional path rather than explore my unique strengths.

During the summer semester of my third year, I interned at LG, which was a turning point for me. This experience revealed that I enjoy making independent decisions and judgments. Around the same time, I had a conversation with Professor Seong-tae Kim, who taught my Operations Management class. He suggested, “I think you would do well in academia.” This remark planted a seed in my mind. From that moment, I decided to pursue a career in academia. Reflecting on it now, I feel deeply grateful that someone recognized my strengths and encouraged me to consider this path.

 

 

Can you give me a brief description of the university and the field of research that you have completed with your current PhD?

 

I earned my Ph.D. in Supply Chain Management from the University of Tennessee, which boasts one of the top-ranked programs in the United States. This prestigious program allowed me to learn and grow under the guidance of prominent professors. Currently, my primary research focus is on Supply Chain Networks. I investigate how various internal and external factors impact supply chains and how their supply chain networks evolve. Understanding such impact helps companies to adapt and thrive in response to these changing conditions. My research aims to provide empirical evidence and strategic direction for these challenges.

 

 

You are about to be appointed as a professor after completing your PhD, so can you briefly explain the process or progress you are preparing for?

 

I've been incredibly busy recently as I relocated from Tennessee to Michigan. Along with transitioning from a student to a professor, I'm managing a vast amount of administrative work, including visa-related tasks, while continuing my research. These are inevitable parts of living in the U.S. as a foreigner. I've completed my dissertation and am now gradually preparing for teaching in the fall semester.

 

 

Can you share to us your current goals and future plans?

In the short term, my goal is to adapt well to my new environment and circumstances. In the long term, I aim to engage in a lot of exciting research and successfully translate that research into tangible results, ultimately achieving stability as an Associate Professor and eventually becoming a tenured Professor. Beyond my professional aspirations, I always prioritize the happiness of myself and my family. I believe the U.S. is a place that allows me to realize these values, so I plan to make it my home for the foreseeable future.

 

What do you think is the most important preparation or necessary qualification as you prepare for the appointment as a professor? Also, can you tell me what kind of process your school has taken to bring you to your current position?

When someone asks me similar questions, I always give a consistent answer. First, in terms of mindset, it's essential to maintain a positive attitude and strive to do your best to avoid regrets. If there's any preparation involved, having intellectual curiosity and a desire to explore and delve into subjects can make research more enjoyable and help you view the Ph.D. journey as more than just a challenging experience.

Of course, aside from these aspects, pursuing a Ph.D. requires a highly systematic and well-planned approach. While this advice is quite personal, I believe that for those considering a research career in the U.S., understanding that the master's (seldom skipped) and doctoral programs are crucial stages for grasping academia and laying the foundation for research is vital. I would suggest they prepare accordingly. I, too, completed a master's in the U.S. before pursuing my Ph.D., which paved the way for my current position.

 

What is Solbridge to you?

I want to call it a 'turning point in life and a new starting point.' Until high school, I was a student studying in the science track. Just before entering university in New Zealand, I urgently had to return to Korea and saw the admission announcement for SolBridge, so I applied. At that time, my only exposure to business was a single accounting class in high school, and my mindset was to give it my best shot since I had already enrolled. The courses I took at SolBridge were more than enough to spark my interest in business, and the extracurricular activities allowed me to have a fulfilling college life. It was a turning point in my life that helped me take a step toward a new path. At SolBridge, I learned a lot and experienced significant personal growth. I also made many valuable connections and felt a sense of comfort and familiarity. Whenever I return to Korea and visit SolBridge, it feels like visiting my hometown.

 

 

What kind of mindset do you think students should have when they graduate from SolBridge? (If you have any other advice, please feel free to tell me.)

"Get out of your comfort zone." I firmly believe that new learning comes from new environments. Do not be afraid to take on challenges; if you decide to challenge yourself, give it your all so you have no regrets. Regardless of the outcome, if you put in your best effort, the process becomes a driving force for growth and an experience that will eventually help you somehow. Focus on how you can become a better person through the growth process rather than being outcome-oriented. If you live each day with a positive mindset, I believe you can find happiness no matter where you are or what you do.