Working for the UN in NY
TWU graduate lands internship after LLC experience
June 29, 2005
Brian Bevilacqua
Gaining work experience in a competitive field like international politics is often difficult for recent graduates, but one new Trinity Western University alumnus managed to land his dream job. Due largely to his experience at the Laurentian Leadership Centre, TWU’s internship program in Ottawa, alumnus David Kim was able to secure an internship at the United Nations in New York City.
From September to December of 2004, Kim served as the intern for the Third Committee of the Republic of Korea’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
“Each member country in the United Nations has a permanent mission which represents the country’s interests,” Kim explained. “As an intern, I was reporting directly on a daily basis to important Korean diplomats, including Minister Kyung Hwa Kang and First Secretary Seung Hyun Moon. I would attend meetings and relay information to my supervisors.”
A 2004 graduate with a degree in International Studies, Kim has always been passionate about Korean politics. He said it was his experience as an LLC student that kick-started his own career in the field.
“When I submitted my resume to Secretary Moon at the Permanent Mission [of the Republic of Korea], he was impressed with my previous experience at the Laurentian Leadership Centre,” said Kim. “Having interned at the Korean Embassy in Ottawa during my time at the LLC, I had relevant experience that stood out.”
But the LLC experience did more than just boost Kim’s resume. The professional preparation he received there helped him develop the skills he needed for success at the UN.
“Without my experiences at the LLC, I would have found it much more difficult trying to relate to the diplomats working at the Permanent Mission,” said Kim. “Working at the Korean Embassy definitely helped me develop the necessary foundational skills.”
Kim emphasized how valuable his time was with the Korean Permanent Mission to the UN. “For a recent university grad, it’s the experience of a lifetime,” he reiterated. “I learned so much about international politics and the power relations between developing and developed countries. The Korean diplomats I served with involved me in discussions about how we could improve the effectiveness of Korean mission and raise Korea’s profile in the UN’s General Assembly – it challenged me to think deeply.”
Kim recently returned to his home in Seoul, South Korea, where he is preparing to write the UN’s National Competitive Recruitment examination. Upon completion of the exam, he hopes to obtain a posting as an officer with the UN Secretariat
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