From Korean Studies to Semantic Mastery: An Interview with Bahia, Ontology Specialist at Semantic Visions

Bahia, our new Ontology Specialist at Semantic Visions, has an inspiring story that brings together diverse cultural experiences, linguistic expertise, and a passion for semantics. In this interview, Bahia shares her journey from university life to joining the Semantic Visions team and discusses her work, challenges, and love for both Korea and Prague.

My main responsibilities consist of daily QA of our semantic systems and creation of semantic rules to recognize topics or entities.

Can you briefly describe your job responsibilities?

As of now, my main job responsibilities consist of daily QA of our semantic systems and creation of semantic rules that our systems then use to recognize topics or entities. Since Semantic Visions analyzes online news globally, these rules help process vast amounts of data for our clients daily. I am also working with a team of language experts covering 12 languages. My position involves a lot of proof-reading and research, which is something I enjoy because it allows me to learn something new every day and keep up with what’s happening on a global scale. In the future, I’ll collaborate with our ML team to develop new models for NLP.

Why did you choose to study Korean?

Honestly, it’s an embarrassing story. When I was 14, I had a HUGE crush on the Korean actor Lee Min-ho. A friend introduced me to Korean dramas and music, and I was hooked. Gradually, my interest shifted to more serious topics, such as North Korean refugee policies and South Korean classical literature. By the time I was applying for university, it was clear to me that I wanted to pursue Korean studies academically. Wanting to visit Korea was also a big motivation. My mom wasn’t thrilled about this choice, but I think she’s proud that I followed my passion in the end.

Where did you get your degree, and how did you find studying Korean?

I got my degree from the Department of Asian Studies at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in Prague. The program was comprehensive, covering linguistics, literature, history, and culture, and it allowed me to fully immerse myself in Korean studies. I even had the opportunity to go on a student exchange to Korea twice, which was an unforgettable experience.

As for the difficulty of studying Korean, it was definitely challenging. The language has a very different structure compared to Czech, and although English helped me navigate the resources, Korean’s lexicology, influenced by traditional Chinese, made things even more complicated. The Sino-Korean vocabulary can be tough, but learning the Korean script is surprisingly easy.

Do you come from Prague?

I moved to Prague from Hradec Králové in Eastern Bohemia when I started university. I was born and raised in Hradec, so a piece of my heart is still there. It’s a lovely place, but I’ve outgrown it a bit. Although sometimes I miss the peacefulness of a smaller city, Prague is fascinating, and I’m not tired of it yet.

What brought you to Semantic Visions?

Call it fate or coincidence, but the opportunity just fell into my lap. I was finishing my Master’s degree and looking for job opportunities when my partner suggested I set up a LinkedIn profile. I wasn’t keen on the idea at first, but then a recruiter contacted me about a Korean-speaking analyst position at Semantic Visions. I was immediately intrigued. I was doing other interviews too, but I decided to pass on those, hoping for the best. Luckily, the excitement was mutual with Semantic Visions, and I ended up here with you guys.

You joined the company recently, how has your training and settling in been?

My onboarding was (and still is) mostly handled by Anna, our Head of Ontology. She is incredibly caring and always finds time to discuss anything with me. My colleagues are also very supportive, always willing to help. I joined during the summer holiday season, which was a bit lonely at first, but now I’m truly starting to settle in and get to know everyone better. Transitioning from university life to a full-time job is a big step, but I feel very lucky to be in such a nurturing environment. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m improving every day and gradually getting more confident in my work.

It was a pleasure talking with you, Bahia. Thank you for sharing your story, and good luck in your career at Semantic Visions!