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Originally from South Korea, Youngmin came to Tulsa to attend college and discovered a passion for data analysis, machine learning, and helping businesses solve their problems. With the help of the inTulsa Visa Network, he is now supporting the IT Department at Community Care.
Originally from South Korea, Youngmin came to Tulsa to attend college and discovered a passion for data analysis, machine learning, and helping businesses solve their problems. With the help of the inTulsa Visa Network, he is now supporting the IT Department at Community Care and pursuing a career he’s truly passionate about.
What led you to Tulsa?
I'm from Korea, and I came here to Tulsa in 2015 for my undergraduate degree. I studied engineering, physics and mathematics at Oral Roberts University. I graduated in 2019, and I went back to Korea. Then I came back to Tulsa for a master's degree in computer science.
How did you get connected with inTulsa’s Visa Network program?
I was searching for a job on LinkedIn during my graduating semester, and I coincidentally saw a LinkedIn post about the inTulsa Visa Network. At that point, I already had knowledge about the inTulsa organization, and how it has been providing plentiful opportunities for job security for Tulsa residents. So I already had a really positive point of view toward this organization. When I saw the post about the Visa Network, I realized inTulsa provides something for international people as well. So, I thought, why not check it out?
Before I reached out to inTulsa, I’d already gone through some of the communication process for a job. But since my boss, the head of the IT department at Community Care, has a connection with Stan at the inTulsa Visa Network, it made the process of getting hired faster and easier.
What appealed to you about the Visa Network program?
Nowadays, after the pandemic, it's really hard to get a job, even for U.S. citizens and green card holders. But as an international student, it can be more challenging, because we also have to deal with our visa status. But the inTulsa Visa Network program will support my visa and help eliminate those risks and challenges. I mean literally, I couldn't have gotten the job I have without the support of the inTulsa Visa Network.
What is it like working at Community Care of Oklahoma?
Community Care is a major insurance company in Tulsa. I'm working as a health data analyst in a hybrid role (two days remote, three days on-site). I have a background in machine learning and deep learning, so I'm trying to find any space to implement those kinds of cutting-edge technologies into our company.
I love working in computer science, especially data science, which really fits my skill set and mindset. I think data science is one of my vocations. I enjoy analyzing data and using it to build machine learning or deep learning models. Being here at Community Care is an ideal working place for me. The company itself has a really good culture. I enjoy my work, and I like the job environment and the people. Everyone is so nice here.
What has it been like to move to Tulsa from abroad?
A state like Texas, as an example, is seven times bigger than South Korea, and 70% of South Korea is mountainous, so I had never seen the land’s horizon in my life. When I came to Tulsa, and saw this scenery, I really felt that I was now in a foreign country. But in general, people here are really nice, kind, and relaxed.
What do you enjoy most about living in Tulsa?
One of the good points about staying in Tulsa is the mindset of its people. They're so relaxed, friendly, and open-minded. This is one of the biggest reasons why staying in Tulsa is really good. Frankly, Tulsa is not a mega city, but it’s a “big-enough” city. It has everything you need to enjoy your life. To be honest, I don’t like dense cities. My lifestyle fits well with Tulsa’s nice people and relaxed environment. And it has everything I need.
What would you tell people who are thinking about participating in the inTulsa Visa Network here?
There’s no reason as an international person not to participate in Tulsa. I have a friend at work who is in the process of getting a full-time visa after graduating from college. I shared the opportunity of the Visa Network with her, and she’s also now in the process of participating in the program. I fully understand the risk businesses face in hiring internationals because nobody knows what will happen with our work status. But inTulsa helps to minimize that risk for the company. It’s so beneficial. The inTulsa Visa Network literally gave me this huge turning point in my life. I’m grateful.
