Anyone with even a slight interest in economics will be familiar with the YouTube channel, Chang Doctor Economics, which provides an easy and exciting way to learn about economics. The creator of this channel is Professor Chang Sun-ku, an adjunct professor at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) and a lecturer in various fields. Therefore, the Sungkyun Times (SKT) is pleased to introduce Professor Chang Sun-ku.
Path to Becoming an Economic Instructor
Q1. Please introduce yourself.
Hello, I am Chang Sun-ku. I was accepted into SKKU in 1994 and majored in economics. I completed my bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at SKKU. Today, I am teaching as an adjunct professor on the same campus. I am also an economics instructor for civil servants and public labor attorney exam-takers.
Q2. Do you have any specific motivations for choosing economics as your major?
I was initially planning to study in the Department of Public Administration. However, before I entered university, I switched to economics because it was comparatively easy to get into. In fact, at the time, I was worried because economics uses mathematics a lot, and I was not too fond of solving math problems. Looking back, I feel it was a good choice, as applying various economic theories to reality turned out to be very fascinating.
Q3. During your Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies, you spent time at the London School of Economics and Political Science and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. How have these experiences affected your career?
At first, I was unsure whether to attend graduate school. The Asian Financial Crisis broke out when I was preparing to get employed, so it was difficult to get a full-time job. The Brain Korea 21 (BK21) program was introduced at SKKU when I was in college. I applied for it primarily because it provided advantages for graduate students, including living expenses and scholarships. I gained a broader perspective by studying abroad, and it motivated me to work harder on my research and preparations for lectures in the future.
Economics Beyond the Pages
Q4. You continue to conduct research and teach economics. Why did you decide to broaden your career path into teaching as well?
There are many different paths students can take if they continue to study economics and get a PhD degree. They can either become a professor to train students or work as a researcher in a national institute. In my case, I enjoyed teaching university students and test-preparers more than conducting research. I have been interested in teaching because I could share the message to a larger audience through my lectures. Teaching also allows me to learn from my students.
Q5. As one of the most popular lecturers on campus, do you have any special teaching methods?
The most important principle is to stick to the textbook. The role of the lecturer is to pick the best material and deliver the information thoroughly. Nowadays, some lecturers teach their students without textbooks and only use PowerPoint presentations, but I ensure to choose a suitable textbook first. Then, I go through it with the students and lead the discussion. Also, I use plenty of details from the textbook when making exam questions for my students.
Q6. How do you prepare lectures for different groups of students, such as undergraduates, civil servants, and accountant test-preparers?
The subject of economics is complex for students as it uses mathematics extensively. Recently, exam questions testing economic knowledge are becoming more difficult. Therefore, it is a challenge for me to improve students’ test scores in a limited time. The content of certificate exams, such as accounting and civil service, are similar. However, the focus is a little different, so I analyze the sample questions for each exam and give an explanation that fits those sample questions. My lecture focuses on simplifying the formula, and I teach according to the range and difficulty of the exam.
Q7. As an economist with 30 years of experience, which economics topic are you most interested in?
The most interesting area for me is the platform economy. Nowadays, all markets are connected, while interaction plays an essential role. For instance, YouTube matches subscribers and advertisers with each other. I believe that economics is a realistic field that is not distant from the world. We can use economic theories to explain phenomena that cannot be explained in the real world. Recently, economics has been combined with philosophy, politics, and even psychology. For example, behavioral economics combines economics with psychology. I consider economics to be an all-inclusive field.
Q8. What motivated you to start your own platform, a YouTube channel called Chang Doctor Economics, where you distribute lectures for free?
Since my main interests in economics are platform and network economy, I started my YouTube channel in 2007. Since then, I have uploaded over 3,000 videos. The reason I continuously upload videos is for the students in my class. When I teach, I usually explain while reading the book with my students, so I often fail to finish the course in time. Because of this limitation, I once sped up the lesson to explain the whole concept; this caused many students to lose interest in the subject. Therefore, I started uploading videos on YouTube for students who want to learn the rest of the content later.
Q9. When do you receive the most satisfaction while running your channel?
I feel rewarded when I see a comment from a student who watched my lectures and passed the exam. Recently, it seems that many students who are preparing for college transfer exams also tend to watch my lectures, so there have been many comments from students who have been accepted to their desired university. There have also been several comments saying they have received a scholarship. Even though I do not know them personally, it warms my heart to see these comments.
The Next Steps for Professor Chang
Q10. Are there any goals you would like to accomplish in the future?
I believe that setting a goal nearer to us is more valuable than setting a goal that seems too far away. This is why I tell my students to choose a goal that feels more reachable. I currently have about 35,000 subscribers on YouTube, and my humble wish is to reach 100,000 subscribers and receive a silver button in the next five years.
Q11. Do you have any advice you would like to share with your students?
Students usually only study textbooks to get good grades, but I think reading economics books or watching YouTube videos is better. Do not just read books to prepare for exams; approach the material slowly since there is much valuable information in the book. When people talk about YouTube videos about economics, they usually think of videos about investments, but many YouTube channels present fascinating economics stories and facts. If those channels are too difficult, it is also helpful to watch my channel, Chang Doctor Economics.
Q12. Do you have any advice for young people experiencing career-related trials and tribulations?
I want to encourage students to keep going and not be disappointed if things do not go as planned. Ultimately, it may be better because they can unintentionally hit the jackpot. I encourage students to have different experiences when they are students instead of setting their direction or limits at the beginning. Also, I advise you to start as soon as possible if you are an aspiring YouTuber. In my case, I started YouTube by accident. Sometimes, people try to be too good too quickly and give up based on the number of views. Starting without intricate plans can unintentionally allow one to think of better ideas. In a nutshell, it is better to take action instead of spending too much time thinking about it.
