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53 What advice would you give foreign women seek- ing to enter a non-teaching workplace in Korea? Study Korean! It makes it easier to get the interview and once hired, to be included in the communications. What are your thoughts on the concept of an “Acad- emy of Female talent”? We see instances of gender segregation in elementary schools, high schools and some universities, but is this an effective strat- egy for grown women? I don’t think this type of academy is very effective, and it may continue to enforce a stereotype that women need to be “helped” more than men to succeed. What can be effective, however, is when women themselves form their own groups or networks to provide guidance, support and shared learning. How do you think mentorship helps young women in the workplace? Mentorship helps anyone in the workforce. Everyone could use a more senior person to be a sounding board and to provide guidance and advice. It is critical that as someone climbs the corporate ladder they share their ex- perience and advice in a “pay it forward” fashion. Women mentoring younger women can be especially helpful in sharing insights and advice particular to gender issues. What do you think is more important right now: establishing workplaces that can accommodate women who are also primary caretakers for their children, or encouraging women to try and climb higher (“lean in,” as sheryl sandberg says)? Which do you think is more attainable? In the best of all worlds, the workplace would accom- modate both men and women who want to climb higher and have family obligations. This model works in some countries, but these countries have much stronger gov- ernment support for child care, maternity leave and time off. What has to change is the perception of what it takes to climb higher, which allows for a combination of an effec- tive and productive employee who can also be effective outside of the workplace. Once this is accepted as the norm and rewarded with promotion and leadership, then I think the model is attainable for both men and women who want to have this kind of balance in their lives. Do you think the younger and older generations in Korea are vastly different in their perceptions of the gender divide? Do you see big changes coming soon? I think big changes are coming soon, mostly because they have to. The birthrate in Korea is so low, among the lowest of any of the OECD nations. In order for the Kore- an economy to continue to grow, more women will have to stay in the workforce. The government and private em- ployers will have to do more to make the workplace more hospitable to both men and women who want to combine a career with family obligations. ‘One of the big things that you defnitely need if you are even thinking of opening your own business is to love risks, the instability, the unknown. You need to be one of those people who can thrive on uncertainty.’ — Rydia Kim