Dr. Star Kim, PhD in Mechanical Engineering | Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company

In this episode, we discuss Star's journey from pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering to becoming interested in management consulting, the skills from her doctoral training she utilizes in her current role and those she sought out along the way through making meaningful connections, and the different ways she balances the stressors of her job at McKinsey & Company.

Hosted by Michael Wilkinson

To connect with Star and to learn more about her story, visit her page on the PHutures #100AlumniVoices Project website.

Transcript

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Michael Wilkinson

Hello everyone I'm Co-host Michael Wilkinson and this is the 100 alumni and Voices podcast, stories that inspire, where we explore the personal and professional journeys of a diverse group of 100 doctoral alumni from Johns Hopkins University. Today we're joined by Star Kim. She received her PhD in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins in 2021 and is currently a management consultant for the McKinsey and Company. Star, welcome to the podcast. Great to have you here.

Star Kim

Great being here. Thank you for inviting me.

Michael Wilkinson

Yeah, absolutely. So, we were talking a little a little bit about the before the podcast. So, you're from Axel Krieger's lab, originally here at Hopkins. So, I know that Axel was originally at University of Maryland and transitioned to Hopkins, and that actually happened kind of midway through your PhD. So I know that transition wasn't necessarily like across the country like some folks do, but it's still quite a thing to pick up and move halfway or halfway through or even midpoint through your PhD. So, what was that like? And you know, how was the adjustment period for you transitioning like that, especially again midway through a pretty predictable program?

Star Kim

Well for me, before I did any of the transition, I was a little bit concerned, intimidated at the same time, just because I wasn't so sure once I move, what are going to be the exact changes that I'm going to face, especially since I was already pretty close to defending. I wasn't so sure how many years of my PhD will be delayed and if there will be, I guess, the requirements for graduation could change as well, so I was a little bit worried about those, but I did have a couple of friends who actually had some transitions because of their advisor as well in the middle of their PhDs. Talking to them really helped. Turned out that it, I wouldn't say it's the norm, but it it's still it's still there and it seemed like everyone successfully kind of you know successfully maneuver that transition and enjoy that transition as well, which was the reason one of the reasons why I decided to come along with Axel. And he's a great advisor as well, so wanted to make sure that I complete my degree with him, so every everything I think was pretty smooth.

Michael Wilkinson

So, at that point in time were you given a couple of different options as to like what you could do? Like, you know, for example, picking a new advisor at Maryland? Or was it kind of really just you go with Axel or you don't really have a PhD to finish out?

Star Kim

I believe that I had a couple of options if I didn't want to move to a different university with Axel. I could have stayed at the same university and maybe gotten a different advisor. Or it could have been, maybe because I was close to graduation, maybe the school could have figured something out so that I still could still be there as one of the main committee members and then you know, we just kind of continue everything as planned. But I mean like I didn't search for those options since I was leaning more towards to staying with Axel and then moving to Hopkins with him. So, I don't know the exact options, but I would assume those would have been the options that would have been given to me if I decided to stay.

Michael Wilkinson

Makes a lot of sense. So, you know, just on the outset your current position of management consultant is very different from the degree you studied, and I know a lot of the work that Axel does, so what led you to this very different kind of line of work and what are the skills and knowledge that you gain, you know, from your degree and from Axel's lab that do transition over nicely, even though it is a very different kind of thing?

Star Kim

Right, right. Well, when I started this PhD study, I was interested in becoming a professor immediately after this whole PhD. But I would say that in the middle of my PhD I started just kind of questioning what are some things that may be available for me to really grow, and I started to think about that aspect because in the middle of my PhD I was fortunate to file some patent and then start a—well founded—a startup with my advisor and a postdoc at our lab, and during the process I have been talking to different venture capitalists, different business people as well. Well, I had some opportunity to raise some funding from the state of Maryland and all this processes seemed pretty interesting. And one thing that I realized was that academia definitely I learned a lot of important skills that I really enjoyed. But I realized while going through that process that I really needed to gain additional skills if I wanted to translate that research into something that could impact, you know, the whole society. I personally felt that we as PhD students and people who are doing research have all these essential skills to solve challenging problems. Without that business knowledge, I thought that there could be a little gap and I wanted to make sure that I have those essential skills to bridge that gap from research to the reality. So, then I started looking into the business areas. I didn't really know anything about business. I just started talking to a bunch of people, reached out to several random strangers on LinkedIn. Uh, we're just talking to people that I knew were in business, and they taught me about management consulting. I didn't know anything about it. They just told me and then I was like, OK, I don't know what it is, but I will read about it. And that's what it was. I read about it and I thought that I had the personality that they were looking for. And I really thought that this was a job where I could really learn all these business skills and apply the skills that I have obtained while getting my PhD degree. So yeah, so that that have been the transition of it. And I chose this particular firm, McKinsey, because I knew it is the largest Global Management consulting firm. And I thought that that could mean that I would have higher chance of getting exposed to more companies outside the United States, especially since I was interested in understanding different culture. My assumption was that regardless of what business it is depends on depends on the people. Maybe the way they operate their whole company or the way they study the market. The customers could vary depending on the country, so that was one of the reasons for choosing this firm.

Michael Wilkinson

Makes a lot of sense. So, you know you mentioned that the reason why you wanted to get the business skills is to make your work more translatable and like find ways to make your work more translatable. So, in the work that you're doing now, do you see opportunities to do that? Or is this kind of like a skills building days and you'll, you know, eventually take the skills you learn here to make it more translatable science? Or how are you bridging those kinds of things in your current work right now?

Star Kim

I would say that well, as of now, my work is a little bit different style than a typical research academia. My work is a lot shorter in timeline and it's a lot more fast-paced. So, most studies that I do are generally like two to four months and the studies could vary. Like let's say, someday I could be working on pharmaceuticals and then maybe the next study I may be working for some travel agency or it could be some, you know, chemical industry or whatsoever. And so, in terms of the overlap with my research, I don't think it's that strong yet, but I am definitely experiencing different fields of I guess business. Some days it could be operation related, some someday it could be product development, R&D, all kinds of side of businesses. And yeah, they, I guess I am essentially learning in every study, but I also have been able to apply some of the skills that I have obtained while working on these studies which have been actually pretty surprising to me. I thought that coming from mechanical engineering, I've been doing a lot of cardiac research, building virtual reality software. I didn't really think I had that skills and experience to be helpful for these studies, but it was quite surprising to see that we PhD students, I feel like have that general skills that could be really helpful for this kind of jobs. Essentially what I am trying to do is to figure out a problem that a client has and then come up with different hypothesis for solving this problem and essentially because we have limited resources, same thing with the research, right? If we have limited, if we have unlimited money, you know, people and whatever resources out there and then we would probably go through, check all the hypothesis possible and then find the best solution, but that's not possible. Same thing with the business. So essentially, I see you're at the limitations of different ways to solve it and then kind of narrow it down based on those resources that a client has and then the timelines that they are looking for and yeah, definitely, those skills transfer, I would say a little bit smoother than I imagined.

Michael Wilkinson

Yeah, I think that's you know something that a lot of PhD students who are kind of looking outside academia worry about is how our skills will transfer. And I hear all the same things of what you're saying over and over again, which is well, we learn a lot of, like underlying base skills in research that are really applicable. So, it's interesting to see that even in like the business domain, it transfers really well. So, you can talk about a little bit about like what are what are the some of the really fun aspects of your current line of work that you enjoy and are there any like interesting projects that you're working on as of late? I know you went through a whole line of projects, you've done in the past, but I'm just curious like, you know, current stuff you're doing.

Star Kim

Well, in terms of the type of work that I do for the firm is confidential, so I can't really talk about it. But in terms of the general life that I'm having at this firm, McKinsey, there are multiple things that I really enjoy. I would say that like I mentioned, every study, I'm learning something brand new and I'm getting to work with people from whole bunch of backgrounds MDs, JDs, PhDs, some people come with just very strong business knowledge and it's just surprising to see how that different background experience bring in different ideas. And I do get to travel a lot generally. We do have freedom to choose how often we want to travel, and I am one of those individuals who prefer to travel every week, so I've been choosing to do so, have been going to multiple places within the United States as well as outside the United States. And that opportunity I would say is very tremendously amazing, especially since you do get to stay at a, you know, pretty good hotel and then you know the food is covered. I don't need to cook anymore.

Michael Wilkinson

Do you really get a chance to explore the city or are you kind of just in and out really quick?

Star Kim

My case is that I explore actually a little bit just because most people actually travel in on Monday, but I decide to travel on Saturday or Sundays, so totally up to each individual. I just say that I want to go on Sunday so I could explore the city on that weekend and then Monday, while other people are flying out to whatever client side or our office locations, I'm already there and I could maybe wake up a little bit later than other individuals. So, I do that and sometimes I do not return during the weekend. If I knew, let's say that I was traveling, I don't know, let's say I was in Arizona and I did not want to return to Miami, where I am currently at, I could just stay there over the weekend and then, you know, just explore the whole city and the company supports us to stay there if that is our preference. So, it's been pretty good. I mean during the weekdays if I only stayed there during the weekdays, yeah, it would have been pretty challenging for me to get out there and explore. I guess maybe our client offer to do some fun activity together, but yeah. And on top of that, I would say that, I mean like our work is very stressful, I a lot more stressful than I expected before doing any of the firm. But they also provide a lot of activities that could really help us get rid of that stress and meet different people in the same office as, especially since we travel a lot and I've been enjoying all those activities that we do; we have a lot of volunteering activities where we go to the beach and clean, you know, pick up trash. Recently I volunteered with the firm people to visit like those young single ladies who do not have place to live at, but they have children to raise, they've been going there to help them out. And even homeless people we would deliver some kits that that essential kits that that is needed for them to live out there. And also, just you know we do get to do a lot of fun parties. I feel like I didn't really get to enjoy parties while studying in school so this is good opportunity.

Michael Wilkinson

I think most don't. I don't know how it is in other PhD programs.

Star Kim

I think so. I agree. Yeah, totally. So, I feel like sometimes I'm back in school enjoying that party time. So, it it's actually pretty good, yes, yeah.

Michael Wilkinson

So, I guess it transitions pretty smoothly into this question, which is you know you talked about how the company is maybe helping you manage your, you know, your mental health and your work, even the really stressful job and you talk about some of the ways that you kind of go above and beyond. So, what are you know, some of the ways that you're managing that kind of work-life balance and your work and your mental health, besides, just like the opportunities through the company specifically?

Star Kim

I see. Well for me, exercising is a number one thing that I do in order to make sure that I am happy. And eating also, I would say is like the secondary thing. So even while I was in school getting my undergrad degree, Graduate School degree, PhD, I've been pretty much exercising every day, including the weekends and the vacation time and I've been pushing myself to do the same thing while I'm on this job. Of course, some days it's quite challenging for me to do so. It's the work is really demanding, but we at our firm at McKinsey, they are very supportive of us doing things that could really help us. You know, stay really healthy, both emotionally and physically. So, I tell my manager straight up on the first day that I must have at least an hour to 90 minutes to be able to work out every day and they're supportive, so I've been doing that, and I make sure that when I pick hotels, they have nice gyms or I just bring the equipment that is needed. And I know a lot of people are OK with just eating salads or whatever, some simple stuff, but I'm not like that. So, when I know that I will be maybe returning back to the hotel after 6PM or 8PM, I order something pretty good like an hour before, so that by the time I get to the hotel I have like the legit meal and entree prepared for me at the front desk. I should say those two things definitely I've been doing just myself, but I would say that over the weekends when I'm back, I have a karaoke machine at home, so I sing a lot alone as well with sometimes with friends, but I'm OK with doing it alone. I used to record myself singing. I haven't done it in a while, but sometimes I just do it with my phone.

Michael Wilkinson

What would you do with the recordings? Just like, listen to yourself? Or would you do anything with the recordings?

Star Kim

Just kind of watch myself. Just kind of like a memory. I mean like in the past I actually posted it on the Internet along with my PhD projects. These are the things that I'm doing and here are some fun things.

Michael Wilkinson

That's so funny.

Star Kim

That you could see me doing. But now I mean like I don't have a web page anymore. I took it down. So, I just kind of have it on my phone, I guess I post it sometimes on Instagram. But essentially, it's kind of like a personal memory. I kind of look back and I'm like, oh, so this is how I used to look like a year ago, two years ago.

Michael Wilkinson

Yeah, yes, yes. So, speaking of Instagram, one of the things I wanted to ask, so I saw that on your LinkedIn, you actually plug your Instagram, which is really interesting because I think a lot of people use their Instagram as more like the fun social kind of thing and then their LinkedIn is like the very strictly professional research kind of thing. So, you know what led to your decision to do that to like have your Instagram plug on your more I guess like more professional side of things?

Star Kim

Well, my thinking process was that I feel that when well when I was in the student position looking for jobs trying to connect with different people, I simply found that whole process a little bit intimidating. I was like, I don't know them. They don't know me, but they're already up there and I'm like nobody. Why would they why would they respond to my messages, right? And looking back, I kind of wanted to help be that person who could kind of like ease up that vibe, where people are like, oh, this person may be pretty fun to reach out to. Maybe she has some experience that I could get some knowledge from. Bigger brain, but at the same time, maybe she is easygoing person that I could just kind of reach out. Not on LinkedIn, maybe on Instagram and then just go from there so that that was my thinking process and I do wanted to show that I'm not just someone who just did research or doing some consulting work and that that's all my life. I wanted to show them that I am just like any anyone, just like them having some fun life and going through different stressful moments at a time.

Michael Wilkinson

Humanizes you a good bit. Very nice. So, I'll switch gears a little bit here. One of the things I find interesting is that so you're not that far out from being graduated and you graduated during one of the peaks of the pandemic. What was that like kind of wrapping up your degree program and stepping into the professional world around that time? And how was that adjustment of stepping out into a brand-new world that one that's more chaotic than it usually is because of the pandemic?

Star Kim

I do remember how every like, just one day everything became remote and I wasn't able to meet the professors. I used to be one of those students who casually just hang out with professors and talk about research and general life, and also just kind of ask them their life, you know why they chose to become a professor, what are some things they experienced and all that process was I feel like it was easier when there was no remote things. It was like just, you know, one-on-one.

Michael Wilkinson

Pop in, yeah.

Star Kim

Maybe we could just go for a lunch. Or, like, we could take a walk around the campus and then talk about it. So when all of that disappeared, I was kind of lost to what am I going to do? Will I even be able to bring in people when I'm having a defense? Like when I'm defending my PhD because I didn't want it to be 100% virtual, but since the school was still virtual, everything was remote. I wasn't so sure, but luckily, I was able to hold my defense both virtually and in person, so everything was pretty good. But definitely I feel I feel that doing job search was also challenging. My initial plan was to talk to more people in person. I was ready to maybe just go to DC and you know, uh, just

Michael Wilkinson

Hound some people.

Star Kim

Yeah. Just meet, yeah, meet people in a cafe talk to them and then just kind of talk. You know just hear about their work experience, why they choose that job, if they would do something different, if they could go back. Yeah, but I mean I guess it was still OK. The Internet was still there and people I believe that people were pretty adaptive to this whole changes so I was able to still talk to multiple people online and the firm actually McKinsey gave me a lot of help before me going through this whole interview process. They connected me to different people and then I got to talk to them, talk about their life, the firm and everything. So yeah, I think I, I guess it was better than I expected for sure.

Michael Wilkinson

So now that you are traveling a bunch, I imagine you have a lot of virtual meetings and whatnot. Has your company shifted to more like virtual? Are you still doing things more in person? You know, with the fact that you're traveling and I imagine you meeting with people from all across the country and things like that, how has that been and has it been a blessing, a curse, somewhere in between?

Star Kim

I would say that, well, in terms of our firm, we are very in person oriented and people just really love meeting different individuals. So even if we're given that option to be remote most people are like, let's meet. Where should we meet? Should we meet in DC? Should we meet in Washington? But in terms of the client side, it's a little bit different. So, we do respect their preference. So, if we have a client who is still preferring to be remote, then we may not really travel to their location and instead just meet them virtually. But we also have clients who would be more than were happy to meet in person and work in the same office rooms. If that's the case, we will fly there. Then just be there. Talk to them. Meet them. And I personally prefer still meeting them in person. I feel like that gives a closer relationship. Because you don't have to worry about that awkward phase of, OK is this person done talking. Can I talk now? In with someone else, right. You can't really see what's going on around you. So yeah, and I don't know. I think it's just easier when you're with them like, you know, the meeting's over. Maybe you could be like, oh, do you want to get some Starbucks and then just walk out and talk about something else outside work. So, in person is definitely preferred for me, and I think the company is definitely shifting back to what has been normal, but I mean, yeah, and we still see quite a few clients who prefer to be remote.

Michael Wilkinson

That makes a lot of sense. So, you know, it's very clear that you have gotten very good at juggling a lot of different things. Like I can’t imagine doing a start-up during the middle of my PhD. So, you know what are in learning this ability to manage and kind of figure out what you want to do with what you do, what is the most important lessons that you've learned like over, not just like your current career, but like your PhD career, just in general for like success, for, you know, health healthy lifestyle and all?

Star Kim

I would say one of the most important things that I learned during this whole PhD process as well as right now is to be honest and be more, I guess is vocative right? Vocalize everything. Like I feel that even you know, when I was in the student phase, I was just one of those people who don't want, who don't like sharing what I'm really feeling or thinking. I want to process everything alone and then let it out once I make a decision, but I realized that during this whole process that the path that I’m taking may be a path that someone else already took, someone already kind of know about it. I mean, it doesn't mean that whatever they did and I follow it, it's it. I'm going to get the exact same conclusion or the result. The output could be completely different, but I still think it's very valuable to see what other people have done. And some of the mistakes they have made, some of the regrets that they have or some of the things that they really are happy about doing. In order to hear that, I think I need to reach out and share that in a way like some weak side of mine or some vulnerable side of mine and just kind of openly talk about it and definitely like still now I'm still learning to vocalize that whole thing things that I that I have without going I guess without kind of portraying myself as someone who is just complaining about everything or just being weak or something, but yeah, I feel like that has been the greatest learning. I've just, you know, be more open and be willing, like, have that willingness to listen to other people but be able to modify their experience so that and then fit it into your own needs so that you can derive that drive yourself to, you know, whatever that successful path that they're that you're looking for.

Michael Wilkinson

I think that's a very wonderful piece of advice. I very much heartily support being your own advocate, so it's great. It's great to hear that that has been a very successful kind of motto for you. So, we're running a little bit short on time here, so I'll wrap it up with this final question. What inspires you now in what you do?

Star Kim

Well, I would say that I am—well, what inspires me right now is that I love that I am expanding my knowledge as well as learning new skills and I believe, well, I'm hoping that one day these knowledge and skills that I'm obtaining could become an inspiration or motivation to other individuals, especially to young children and young adults, so that they could also, you know, gain that. I guess yeah, gain that energy, that power, motivation to become a, you know, greater of a person or whomever they want to become. And also, I would like to have that knowledge and skills to help people solve challenging, difficult problems and maybe one day come up with some you know, crazy creative idea that could change the world.

Michael Wilkinson

Amazing. Well, thank you so much for being on the podcast. It was wonderful speaking with you.

Star Kim

It was exciting, exciting opportunity as well. It was nice meeting you.