This year, SK hynix celebrated International Women’s Day at its various offices around the world honoring the achievements and the hard work of our female employees. Initially, this holiday appeared as a day of struggle for women’s rights. However, nowadays, the mood of the holiday itself has changed. It is a day that not only highlights the importance of gender equality and the roles that women play in every sector, but also serves as a reminder for all to be more proactive in bringing diversity and inclusion.

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Across the company globally, women received congratulations from colleagues. For International Women’s Day 2020, SK hynix America turned purple, with everything from t-shirts to cupcakes and macarons.

Event at SK hynix America celebrating International Women’s Day

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SK hynix memory solutions Eastern Europe (SKHMS E) has celebrated the holiday for five straight years and International Women’s Day is now considered an official day off from work for the country. For the day, SKHMS E had organized masterclasses including health and wellness workshops as well as pop art painting and floral arrangement sessions. This year, SKHMS E held Cinema Evening to celebrate the holiday.

Female colleagues of SK hynix memory solutions Eastern Europe

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To honor our women employees and learn about what they thought about the global celebrations, we took some time to chat with several women about their impressive careers, the working environment, and advice for women looking to join the industry.

Natalia Ryzhenkova, Head of SK hynix memory solutions Eastern Europe

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Natalia Ryzhenkova, Head of SK hynix memory solutions Eastern Europe

Tell us a little bit about your career and what are some of the highlights or proudest accomplishments of your time here?

I started my journey with SKHMS E in July 2014, practically from the first days of its foundation. I’m very happy to be with the company and to take part in its continuous growth and development. I feel very proud to have been appointed as the head of SKHMS E last year.

For more than five years of working for the company, I’ve noticed we’ve managed to create not only professional but personal relationships based on honesty, trust and mutual respect.

The NAND industry is one of the most innovative, and it demands us to keep up with the latest trends and try to be on the cutting edge. So, one of the main goals for us is to forge ahead and improve our personal and professional development. I am happy that I have a job that motivates me for new achievements.

SKHMS E is one of SK hynix’s global R&D centers, and in order to have consistent results we need to be one team all over the world. Our teamwork and an achievement spirit will help to accomplish our most important goals.

What makes women so valuable in this industry?

Generally, women and men think differently, and therefore that creates two categories of user experience. Technology is our reality; we use it every day. For companies to continue to be innovative, they must take into account both male and female user experiences, as the combined experience brings more diversity.

In your opinion, what needs to happen to encourage more women to join the field?

Nowadays, engineering professions are starting to be more popular among women as they have a strong desire to learn and see opportunities for how they can grow professionally in the world of innovation. We are also witnessing that more and more women are entering both regular- and high-level positions in the technology industry.

A lot more can be done to encourage women to join the field. For example, providing information and discussions to highlight successful stories about women’s achievements in the engineering and IT sphere would be beneficial for young women to become interested in the field. The media should speak more on this topic, and motivate women to grow in the technology industry.

Others may include creating conditions that take into account the needs of a family, such as providing support with childcare.

In your experience, how does SK hynix encourage and support women here?

The company knows that, in order to succeed, every member should play his or her own significant role and that they are the most important value of our company.

In SKHMS E, we support diversity and equal opportunities based on personal skills and knowledge. All employees, especially women, are highly appreciated and evaluated as well as encouraged to try new things out, overcome challenges and grow professionally. We also take great care of our members’ health and wellbeing.

All these provide our team the possibility to come out on top in all projects, tasks and initiatives.

Rene (Eunsook) Chostner, Director of Venture Investment team

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Rene (Eunsook) Chostner, Director of Venture Investment team, SK hynix America

Please describe your current position at SK hynix?

As an Investment Director, I drive venture investments that are strategically relevant to our business of today and tomorrow. The investments are a vehicle to understand and leverage innovative technologies and disruptive business models in the semiconductor space and also adjacent industries that our products serve.

I began as a business strategist at a semiconductor company and evolved my career based on where my curiosity and passion took me. A mix of strategy, product marketing, management consulting, and business development roles has led me to my current role in venture investments.

What do you think is the biggest issue today facing women at work?

There are non-discriminatory laws and company policies in place, but sexism that is commonly encountered is more subtle and evasive, such as unconscious bias and boys’ club culture. These are problematic not only because they contribute to a non-inclusive corporate culture, but more so because they perpetuate inequality in access to opportunities and the gender pay gap.

What needs to be done to get more women interested in the semiconductor industry?

When there are more leader figures that women can relate to and look up to, the semiconductor industry will naturally draw more women. Fortunately, we are starting to see more women in leadership positions, and each individual is unique and possesses different strengths. I was happy to learn that SK hynix America was celebrating International Women’s Day this year.

Based on your own experience, what messages would you deliver to women considering pursuing a career in the semiconductor industry?

Today, semiconductors underpin the must-win technologies of the future, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced wireless networks, making it a very exciting place to be.

Jessie Qian, Director of Wuxi IT, SK hynix Semiconductor (China) Ltd.

Can you give us a brief introduction to your day-to-day work?

I am responsible for manufacturing enforcement (Manufacturing Execution System, shortly known as MES). It’s the big brain for the factory. The automation systems within the plant requires the MES to carry out the order.

As a working woman, how do you balance work and family life?

For working women, the child’s birth will bring about earth-shaking changes. Achieving a balance between child-rearing and work can be a big problem. I want to tell every working mother, first of all, to accept this change in life. In the necessary circumstances we also need to learn and ask for help, do not carry all the pressure on one person. This is also a way to take care of yourself, and to care about your family and work on the premise of caring yourself first and then to care about family and work.

What makes women so valuable in this industry and what messages would you deliver to women considering pursuing this type of career?

I hope girls don’t set limits on themselves. In fact, women can choose their work from lots of industries. Besides, they need to recognize their strengths first. For example, my ability is to analyze logic, and this has nothing to do with gender. Regardless of gender, finding a suitable job for yourself will also drive your growth. So, for the people who are new to the profession, you need to concern whether you can adapt to your job or not, and you’re happy or not. This will widen your career path.

Colleagues celebrating IWD at SK hynix America

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SK hynix Looking Forward

The International Women’s Day celebration at SK hynix was a very meaningful day for everyone in the company, and we need to continue this positive momentum to take vital steps forward to encourage gender equality in not only the technology industry but for all.

“The diversity in businesses is critical to making better business decisions and increasing company performance and productivity,” said Sam Lee, Head of SK hynix America. “In particular, gender diversity has shown to be one of the key drivers to sustainability, creativity and innovation in business.”

We were proud to hear from some of our great women who have overcome hurdles and barriers to excel to where they are today. We admire their experience, their drive and their commitment to inspiring younger generations and ultimately grow the presence of women in the semiconductor industry.

Let’s all think, act and be more gender-inclusive. Happy International Women’s Day!

The post International Women’s Day: SK hynix celebrates its female employees first appeared on SK hynix Newsroom.

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SK hynix thinks that companies should provide more to employees than just career aspirations. Social contribution is at the heart of this. In fact, SK hynix believes that the development of the local community leads to the continuous development of the company. The mission has been passed down from the SK Group, who strives to advance alongside society by contributing to economic development and creating social values at the same time.

In the past, SK hynix’s volunteering activities were done as sporadic, one-off events in which only interested employees participated. However, for the first time this year, SK hynix decided to choose one service program to volunteer at multiple times throughout the year, building on the value of social contribution, one of the company’s top goals. This new initiative allows the majority of members to participate in the program, by providing regular volunteering opportunities throughout the year with the partner institution.

SK hynix selected the Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. The non-profit organization is recognized as one of the largest food banks in the nation with its mission to lead the community to ensure that anyone who needs a healthy meal can get one.

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“It was a great opportunity to think about PEOPLE,” said Taekyung Hwang of the Sales Operations & Planning Team. “Making differences starts from small steps and I am grateful to be part of bringing such changes with SK hynix team members. SK hynix has set a good example and I am proud to be a member of the company that carries out its social responsibilities.”

With our partner Second Harvest, SK hynix employees spent their days sorting through food such as tangerines, pears, cabbages, tomatoes and packaged up ones with small blemishes, what the non-profit calls the “Second Harvest.” After the Second Harvest, the non-profit provides neighbors in need with free meals.

“It was my first time volunteering at Second Harvest. We have to sort plums into the box and turn it in to weigh when the box reaches 25 Ibs. You approximate the weight and you get to hear the bell when you meet exactly 25 Ibs. It was such a great feeling when you hear the bell,” said Jaehoon Kim, a member of the NAND TM Team. “It was a great experience to learn that we can contribute something to our community and get to know co-workers from other departments as well.”

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The SK hynix America teams have participated in a total of nine sessions this year, with about 90% of San Jose office members contributing more than 330 hours to the community. Even the Head of SK hynix America has found time in his busy schedule to attend four of the volunteer events. He was a strong supporter of this volunteer program and the company’s social value.

“Through Second Harvest Food Bank volunteering events in 2019, all members of SK hynix America had the opportunity to carry out social values which is one of SK Group’s goals. Not only did the events give us a chance to take part in a meaningful cause but also it offered us unforgettable memories as all of us were able to share the same commitment and happiness of giving back to the community,” said Sam Lee, Head of SK hynix America. “Every time I joined the activity, I was happy to see “One Team” spirit where employees from different teams came together and united as one to help neighbors around us.”

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During 2019, SK hynix America also engaged in other social contribution activities, including gift donations for children. To close out the year, the company planned a “wrapping party” where employees wrapped a total of 200 Christmas gifts for low-income families in the Bay Area.

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“I wanted to thank the SK hynix team for sharing some of my work time to give back to the Silicon Valley Community,” said Ed Parsons of the Sales Lead Team. “Always in Sales, we are all working hard to ensure we deliver best results to company and shareholders. In our pursuit of sales excellence, it is easy to lose track of events happening in the world and the lose touch with basic life challenges many people face daily in our own communities. This is why this year it was so great. Each event gave me a feeling of prideful accomplishment for helping others in my community.”

While the company has not yet announced its 2020 partner, SK hynix will continue to participate in diverse volunteering activities to maintain its passion for social contribution. As part of its mission to give back, the company will champion its belief to build up the local community and benefit the continuous development of the company and its employees.

The post SK hynix Volunteers with 2019 Partner Second Harvest first appeared on SK hynix Newsroom.

We believe that our internal efforts encourage employees to produce great results externally, and so we make it a priority to invest in our people.

These efforts take many shapes, but our “Learning Organization Series” is a particular point of pride for members of SK hynix America at every level. Led by the very talented people from within our company, these are monthly conversations on topics ranging from DRAM technology innovations and artificial intelligence to stocks and even wine. Diverse dialogues, these sessions create a space where employees can grow beyond their areas of immediate focus. They offer the opportunity for colleagues to learn from other colleagues and engage with them in new, enriching ways.

SK hynix 2019 Learning Organization Series

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One poignant session from recent memory was led by a VP of International Trade and Regulatory Affairs back in July. Rather than discussing the trade issues and regulatory matters that he routinely discusses during the workday, he chose to guide coworkers through a special hobby of his – wine. Leading the group through an advanced wine class, he covered everything from the grape to the wineries, from pinot noir to sauvignon blanc.

“It was really nice to get the perspective of a wine connoisseur on the origins of the types of wine. To be able to understand the pairing and the varieties of taste of wine was exceptional,” explained Larry Huynh, HR Team, who attended the Wine Learning Session. “On a bonus, it was a really great incentive to have a trivia to win the prizes!”

Steve Son sharing his expert knowledge in wine

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SK hynix America members taking the session of “Expanding the boundaries of AI revolution”

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Another session from May led by a senior manager of DRAM technical marketing explored the expanding boundaries of the AI revolution. And in June, a member of our sales team guided the audience through the delicate art of business communication.

We call this “knowledge sharing,” and it doesn’t stop at these monthly sessions. We feel that a culture of knowledge-sharing is one that promotes the kind of collaboration, curiosity, and enthusiasm that we seek to build into every aspect of our work. It’s a cross-pollination of ideas between each of our business sectors and beyond. From sales, to engineering, to regulatory affairs, each of our employees has something to share, and more importantly, something to learn.

“I love attending learning sessions. They are eye-opening and extremely informative for me as a sales professional,” shared Ty Chatchaidech, Sales Lead Team. They help me achieve better understanding of the whole ecosystem.”

SK hynix believes that a shared set of social values and a strong sense of community in the workplace allows employees to feel comfortable and empowered, and by extension, propels the company forward. Our customers see this in the quality of our products, in the depth of our ideas, and in the creativity of our concepts.

At the end of the day, we are confident that this emphasis on growth and learning in the workplace plays a vital role in the technological innovation that we pursue in the world.

The post Encouraging Innovation through Corporate Culture first appeared on SK hynix Newsroom.