Briefly introduce yourself. (please include your major, graduation year, career status)
Greetings to all the members of Mason Korea community! My name is Huiyong Kim, and I graduated from George Mason University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Global Affairs. I am currently working at the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) under the Division for Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs in the field of climate change and sustainable development. I would like to thank Mason Korea for giving me an opportunity to share my journey with the community.
Can you share a memorable experience or highlight from your time at Mason Korea?
The most memorable experience at Mason Korea was when I delivered a commencement speech during the graduation ceremony. It was a chance for me to openly thank my family, professors, staff, and friends who supported me to successfully graduate from Mason Korea despite many challenges. It was the moment when I realized that it could not have been possible without all the people I met at Mason Korea. It was also a moment when I decided that I should ‘pay forward’ (quoting Dr. Soyoung Kwon) to the Mason Korea community for all the support that I received.
Can you share your career journey and how did your experience at Mason Korea prepare you for your career?
During my time at Mason Korea, I fully took advantage of the opportunities that were available within the university. For instance, I had the privilege to work and study as a student fellow (one of the founding members) at the Center for Security Policy Studies (CSPS) Korea. In addition, I completed research assistantships under Dr. Soyoung Kwon in the areas of security and Korean unification. These opportunities enabled me to develop my knowledge and skills in conducting basic research and writing, executing administrative tasks, and organizing academic conferences and symposiums. Mostly importantly, I was able to learn key skills in communicating and networking with scholars and experts in the field which I still find extremely valuable.
Moreover, I was a founding member of the Academic Resource Center established by Dr. Eun Mee Lee where I worked part-time as a writing tutor, which allowed me to improve my writing skills by helping other students who had difficulty in writing essays and research papers.
I also completed internships at international organizations offered by the Career Development Center such as World Health Organization Collaborating Center, United Nations Office for Sustainable Development, and Green Climate Fund. The internships enabled me to experience the working environment and culture at an international organization. Ultimately, these opportunities gradually led to my career path towards working at an international organization. Eventually, I began my paying job at UNOSD as an individual contractor and later was recruited as a staff on a fixed-term basis.
In my case, I did not have to do extensive research to look for favorable career opportunities outside of Mason Korea. I was able to develop job-related qualities and skills just by looking closely at any extracurricular opportunities provided at Mason Korea.
What advice would you give to current Mason Korea students or recent graduates?
The recommendation or advice I would like to give to current students and recent graduates is, “do not hesitate to ask questions when you are uncertain about your current study or future career”. Many students, including myself, prefer to discuss their career path with their family or friends. However, I want the students and graduates to acknowledge that Mason Korea has amazing faculty and staff who are willing and best positioned to help them to find solutions and alternatives. Personally, I have never regretted sharing my concerns with professors and staff who enabled me to see the bigger picture.
What is your future career or personal goals?
I am still uncertain what I will do in the future, but I will continue to develop my knowledge and expertise on climate change, environment, and sustainable development. Personally, I want to further build my career by studying or working outside of Korea so that I can gain more global experience and perspective.
December 08, 2025