Beedie Luminaries Mentor Spotlight: Sunny Hahm
From Beedie, Mentor Sunny Hahm shares a little bit more about himself and why he chose to dive head-first into mentorship with the Beedie Luminaries mentorship program.
Work Title | Company:
Director, Marketing and Strategy | Beedie
Why did you decide to become a mentor with Beedie Luminaries?
I’ve been fortunate to have great mentors throughout my life who have positively impacted my professional career and personal life. I’ve always been wanting to reciprocate this by being either a listening ear or a sounding board for young students who may be navigating many of the same questions and challenges as I once have (and still do!).
What was your favourite subject in school?
History. Learning about modern history has been a great conduit for me to be more engaged in life and business – how, and why culture, society, and global economics has formed and how it impacts our day-to-day life. Having an interest in history also planted a desire in me to explore numerous continents and has allowed me to see different parts of the world and engage in global exchange programs which has enriched me in many ways!
What was your first job? What was your biggest takeaway from that experience?
Ice Skating and Hockey Instructor at the Port Coquitlam Recreation Centre. Biggest takeaway from this experience was being patient and understanding how to communicate effectively during my early adolescent years. Another memorable job before entering my professional career was working with the UBC Call Centre to connect with past alumni and raise donations for the University. I learned an important lifelong skill on how to tactfully build rapport and connect with strangers.
What are the three qualities that got you where you are today?
- Curiosity – knowledge is power, be a life-long student and keep growing.
- Open Mindedness – Don’t dismiss or close any doors without giving it a fair evaluation. You never know what you may like or dislike.
- Persistence – great opportunities take time to bloom. Stay committed on the subject and provide time for it to grow.
Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?
Yes, I once had to organize a corporate function where I managed all logistics and delivery for the event. Outside of my control, there was an unrelated traffic accident which delayed the delivery in time for the event. As a result, the event did not go well as planned. Lesson learned – Always mitigate risk by controlling what you can control and have a contingency plan (ie. Have the equipment delivered the day before!)
What book(s) have greatly influenced your life?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The book has so many great life lessons, one of the biggest personal interpretations ‘if you fail, it’s okay. Overcome it. But don’t give up in the process’.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
I attribute a lot of my successes to receiving incredible advice and counsel by many great friends, family, and mentors and further applying it with intuition. If there was ever a title it would be called “If I said No: Life lessons learned from having an open mind and trusting your gut”.
What advice would you give to post-secondary students as they prepare to transition into the working world?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and never underestimate the infinite number of resources you have around you – both in person and online. Don’t wait for someone to give you the answers, go out and seek it!
What / where is your happy place?
Near an ocean with close family and friends. An ocean is very dynamic and has so much to offer – calm setting, rejuvenation, and diversity!
What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?
Living the dream each and every day! If I were to choose an activity, cycling through the entire Korean Peninsula (North to South) and learning more about my culture and heritage.
