The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) is happy to welcome our new human resources manager to the team, Wooseok Song!
Recently, we interviewed Wooseok (
he, him) to learn more about his background, passions, and what he is excited to bring to his role at MCN.
1. What led you to a career in the nonprofit/public policy field?
Based on my Christian faith, I can say God led me to walk into the nonprofit field. Based on my personal career experiences in the U.S., I would like to quote from Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer, a book that I read at my Humphrey school days. "All we need to do is stop pounding on the door that just closed, turn around-which puts the door behind us-and welcome the largeness of life that now lies open to our souls." After all of these things, I started looking for a chance to help nonprofit field and finally found my place at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
2. Tell us about a Minnesota nonprofit that you admire.
Two come to mind immediately. First, Korean Adoptees Ministry Center (in Minneapolis. Rev. Sung Chul Park and his wife, Yoonju Park, have been heavily involved with the Korean adoptees and their families through the Korean Institute of Minnesota School of Language and Culture and Korean culture camps since 1976. With one of their great programs, Spiritual Journey to Korean and inner healing retreat, they have served many adult Korean adoptees, not only Minnesota, but also all over the world.
Second, the Korean Service Center in St. Paul. As one of the largest and oldest Korean nonprofits in the U.S, the Korean Service Center has provided social services to Korean immigrant communities with assisted living for seniors, caregiver support, transportation, and family education programs for over 25 years. Recently, they supported Karen and Indian immigrant communities in partnership with a Karen Organization of Minnesota and Sewa-Aifw.
3. What are you most excited about now that you’re working for MCN?
First, I like the mission of MCN, to help individual nonprofits and the nonprofit sector do their business and grow. And I think I can have many chances to learn so much about nonprofit, government, and public sectors, as well as build a network with many leaders and people through my work at MCN.
4. Tell us a wonderfully nerdy thing about you.
I was an honorable member of the Horde in Azeroth. I was an Orc hunter, and served my Warchief, Thrall, son of Durotan and Draka, for many years. And now I am a kind of an inactive veteran of the Horde, but waiting for the call of duty! Aka'Magosh!
After I left Azeroth and Horde clan, now I am hourly, part-time Witcher in another world. I am a person who loves stories and tales.