MCC is celebrating our Associate Director of SEVP Compliance, Jihoon Doh, for his 7 years of dedicated work at MCC. Jihoon finds his position at MCC effectively balances his passions for helping people, guiding students to study within regulations, and fostering a global understanding throughout our community.
We had a chance to interview Jihoon about his experience in Midwestern Career College in Chicago.
What is your favorite part of MCC?
Answer: The college’s multicultural environment:
My colleagues come from Russia, the US, Thailand, Mongolia, Colombia, Brazil, and more. Also, we have more than 500 students from 57 different countries worldwide on campus. MCC is a true global hub!
Being able to work and communicate with all of them has been a blessing to me. You learn who they are and their culture and share similarities and differences. It’s a privilege you cannot really get anywhere else.
How long have you been working at MCC?
Answer: Almost seven years. Gosh, time flies.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Answer: I like enforcing regulations, but I also like helping people. This job is perfect for reconciling those two conflicting factors.
Can you name one challenge you faced while working here and how you overcame it?
Answer: It wasn’t easy to get used to the American work culture initially since I grew up in South Korea and worked only there.
At first, I tried to change myself to adjust, but later, I realized I didn’t have to. Everybody is unique in a way, and that goes the same at workplaces. Sure, you have to try to adjust, but it doesn’t mean that you have to change who you are entirely. In the end, what matters the most is to be competent, be kind, and be yourself. That’s all.
What’s your favorite thing about MCC?
Answer: Multiculturalism. My boss is Russian, my direct coworker is American, and I have coworkers from Thailand, Mongolia, Colombia, Brazil, Etc. Also, we have more than 500 students from 57 different countries worldwide on campus. Being able to work and communicate with all of them has been a blessing to me. You learn who they are and their culture and share similarities and differences. It’s a privilege you cannot really get anywhere else.
What advice do you have for someone looking to enroll at MCC?
Answer: Talk to us about your concerns and problems, especially in advance. We are ready to assist and help you with anything and everything throughout your academic journey, but sometimes, we are contacted too late, and we cannot do anything at that point. Especially if you are an international student, it’s key to communicate with the school staff.
What is something you’re passionate about, inside or outside of work?
Answer: I’m passionate about maintaining my physical health. I firmly believe in the saying, A sound mind in a sound body.
Thank you again to Jihoon for being our Staff Spotlight for the month, and congratulations on 7 years with MCC!
Hashtags: #MCCSpotlight #GlobalCommunity #DiversityMatters #MCCPride
