Josephine Kong

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

“Purpose-driven collaborator who loves solving problems, supporting others, and organizing innovative ideas into real-world impact.”

Hometown: Sunnyvale, CA

Fun Fact About Yourself: Throughout middle and high school, I took abacus (soroban) lessons and even had a chance to visit Taiwan for a global competition. I can do mental math quickly – it’s a fun party trick and useful life skill!

Undergraduate School and Major: St. Edward’s University, International Business and Marketing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Odoo, Technical Support Specialist

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? With the case method, students are asked to apply concepts and critical thinking skills to real-world scenarios. They are invited to collaborate with each other, voice opinions, propose solutions, and ask questions in a setting that often involves ambiguity and incomplete information. These skills help managers analyze complex scenarios and make decisions under uncertainty. Everyone is encouraged to actively listen to the dynamic conversation and respect diverse perspectives. This setting allows managers to express clear communication and gain exposure to colleagues from different industries, job functions, and cultures. Lastly, the method provides a valuable model for leadership. Students observe how professors facilitate conversations and navigate decision making, which are essential skills for successful managers.

Aside from cases and classmates, what was the key part of Virginia Darden’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Aside from cases and classmates, I was drawn to Darden’s outstanding reputation for its educational experience and strong career outcomes. Darden has consistently been recognized as the No. 1 MBA program in the U.S. for educational experience (The Economist, 2011–19, 2022) and the No. 1 U.S. public MBA for average starting salary and bonus (U.S. News & World Report, 2017–24). Given the significant investment of time and resources required for an MBA, I wanted to choose a program that offers long-term value and a strong return on investment. I value Darden’s combination of exceptional faculty and strong career outcomes, which provide meaningful impact for my professional career.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Virginia Darden? I am excited to engage with the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology. I am passionate about technology and aspire to start my own business related to tech, food, and sustainability. Therefore, I look forward to immersive experiences like the Charlottesville Entrepreneurs + Espresso events, the Innovation Bootcamp, and the Tech Series. These programs will allow me to learn from business owners and build connections within the Darden and Charlottesville community. I am also eager to deepen my knowledge through related courses such as Data Science in Business, Digital Product Management, and Minds and Machines: Flourishing in the Age of AI, which align closely with my interests and future goals.

What are your early impressions of Charlottesville? While Charlottesville is a smaller college town, it has a larger community atmosphere. I think this creates a great environment to focus on academics but also invites the opportunity to explore outside of the UVA bubble and engage with the city. For example, there is an exciting culinary scene, vineyards, breweries, live music, farmer’s markets, nature trails for hiking, and kayaking. The University of Virginia and Monticello are also UNESCO World Heritage sites. I first visited Charlottesville a year and a half ago for Darden’s annual Diversity and Women’s Symposium. I was immediately welcomed by the beautiful autumn foliage and could feel the tight-knit community aspect and supportive environment.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my greatest career accomplishments was being named “2024 Rookie of the Year” in my department at Odoo, just nine months after joining as a Technical Support Specialist. I was recognized for consistently ranking among the top ticket contributors on a 40+ person team, while also maintaining a high customer satisfaction rate. Within six months, I developed an expertise in bank synchronization, an area I proactively sought to master early on. Beyond metrics, I was proud that management appreciated my eagerness to learn and the kind, positive attitude I brought to the team.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? Why? My ability to balance organization with empathy allows me to meet goals while fostering an inclusive, supportive environment. Through managing cross-functional projects, streamlining operational processes, and troubleshooting customer issues, I’ve learned how to collaborate across diverse teams and solve problems under pressure. I look forward to bringing this practical, people-first mindset to the classroom and broader MBA community.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Virginia Darden’s MBA program? I would advise prospective applicants to take time to reflect deeply on their career journey, personal values, and long-term goals. This self-reflection not only helps clarify why an MBA is the right next step, but also enables you to craft a more authentic and compelling story. I also recommend connecting with Darden student ambassadors to get a genuine sense of the community and understand how the program aligns with your aspirations. Finally, consider how you will both benefit from and contribute to key elements of the Darden experience, such as the academic rigor of the case method, collaborative learning teams, and the school’s strong emphasis on global perspective and leadership development.

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