Billy Lee, Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2027
Age: 27
Hometown: Seoul, Korea
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Dongguk University, Computer and Information Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Software Developer, Information Technology, CJ, 5 Years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I have built my career as a software developer over the past five years. While I achieved strong results in programming, the more I worked, the more I came to believe that my true potential lies not in coding at a desk, but in a managing position where I can collaborate and communicate with cross-functional teams. As I explored different options, I realized that pursuing an MBA would be the best way to pivot toward this direction, and from a global perspective, an MBA program in the United States felt even more attractive.
Another reason is the emergence of AI. With AI rapidly advancing and replacing many traditional tasks, I began to think more seriously about the future direction of my career. I believe that the professionals of the future will need to be “hybrid talent” who combine both technical expertise and business knowledge, such as that offered by an MBA. That belief ultimately led me to apply to business school.
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
There are many factors that go into selecting a school, but two had the greatest influence on me.
The first was the program’s ranking. I believed that attending a top MBA school would allow me to learn more and significantly benefit my future career.
The second was that, as an international student, I wanted to study in a city with direct flights to my hometown. Washington, D.C. met this condition, as it is a city well connected to destinations around the world.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
My most valuable contribution to the Class of 2027 will be my unique combination of technical expertise, entrepreneurial leadership, and global perspective. Having spent five years developing and operating large-scale IT platforms for a Fortune Global 500 company, and now pursuing a master’s in computer science with a focus on AI/ML, I bring a deep understanding of how technology drives business transformation. Beyond my technical background, I founded a government-certified startup and led multiple company clubs with over 200 colleagues, experiences that shaped my ability to inspire, organize, and collaborate across diverse teams. As an international student who has worked across cultures, I will bring a global mindset to class discussions and team projects. Together, these experiences allow me to contribute not only as a problem-solver, but also as a bridge between technology, business, and people.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
A fun fact about me is that I founded a company room escape club, which became the fastest-growing group in the office. Within just 2 weeks, more than 60 colleagues signed up, making it the largest club in the shortest amount of time. What started as my personal hobby quickly turned into a community where people from different teams could bond, solve puzzles together, and share laughter outside of work.
Post-MBA career interests:
My primary career goal after the MBA is to return to the tech industry as a product manager or technical program manager, leveraging both my software development background and MBA training to drive innovation and customer-centric solutions.
As a secondary option, I am also interested in pursuing a career in consulting, particularly in technology or digital transformation practices, where I can apply my combined technical expertise and business acumen to help clients solve complex challenges.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
One thing I would definitely do again is choosing the on-campus interview option. As someone whose first language is not English, I found that online video interviews made it harder to fully express myself. At Georgetown, being there in person allowed me to demonstrate not only what I said but also my behavior, energy, and genuine enthusiasm. If it is a school you truly want to attend and you have the flexibility, I strongly recommend taking the on-campus interview option.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
If I could do something differently, it would be rewriting my resume. As an international applicant, I initially did not fully understand the American resume style. Looking back, my resume at the time of applying felt much too thin and did not showcase the full scope of my experience and achievements. If I had invested more time in aligning my resume with U.S. standards, I could have presented myself in a much stronger way.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The part I wish I could have skipped was filling out the employment history sections in each school’s online application. It was surprisingly exhausting because each application required me to repeatedly input the same detailed information, like my role descriptions and responsibilities. What helped me get through it was preparing a Word document in advance with all of my career details, so I could simply copy and paste instead of rewriting everything from scratch each time.
What is your initial impression of the Georgetown McDonough students / culture / community?
Georgetown University has an exceptionally strong community. While the typical MBA admissions process usually begins in October, I was able to start engaging as early as August by attending various info sessions and events. Through those, I had the opportunity to speak with the MBA Dean and hear directly from many Georgetown alumni about their experiences at the school. Above all, I truly felt that Georgetown fosters a strong community, and since I believe that such a community is one of the most important aspects of an MBA program, I found the school incredibly compelling.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I joined both the Tech Club and the Consulting Club, as they align closely with my post-MBA career goals. Both clubs are highly valuable for career exploration. In particular, the Consulting Club has been especially helpful as it organizes weekly casing sessions that allow me to prepare for recruiting, and it also hosts career fairs that bring representatives from various consulting firms directly to campus.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Meeting people from such diverse backgrounds for the first time, I believe I will gain rich cultural exchange experiences and build many meaningful relationships. Since everyone comes with an impressive career background, there is so much we can learn from each other’s experiences.
