Many SNU students aspire to work for international organizations and pick Ban Ki Moon, the UN secretary general, as their role model. Although not as well known, there are other SNU graduates who have succeeded abroad. In this interview, PARK Jun Kyu (94’) an SNU graduate who majored in international relations and now works at the IMF (International Monetary Fund), shared his first-hand experience on what it’s like to work for international organizations.
What made you sign up for a job at the IMF?
Right after graduation, I worked at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. I worked in the field of international finance right after the Asian Financial Crisis, so I personally experienced the two major financial crises of 1998 and 2008. Like most people in our country, I had a hard time coping during those times. However, the knowledge and know-how I gathered during the process of overcoming those financial crises became a great asset when I got the chance to work for the IMF.
What is it that you do at the IMF?
The department in which I’m currently stationed is the Monetary and Capital Markets Department (MCM). At first, my job description included researching and giving consultation on subjects like international capital movements, foreign exchange holdings, and sovereign wealth funds. Recently, I had the opportunity to monitor and give strategy advice on Brazil’s financial sector, that is, the capital market, the foreign currency market, and the banking system. Brazil’s industrial structure is quite different from that of Korea, but there are some similarities in microeconomic aspects, such as high capital mobility and exchange rate volatility. I believe Korea can find some pointers for its financial policy by looking into Brazil’s industrial structure.
Are there any memorable moments that make you feel proud or stressed?
I feel most satisfied when I contribute to the process of providing services for the IMF members’ governments. For example, I feel that my work has been worthwhile when I get to witness that my advice on how to manage foreign exchange holdings or foreign loans has actually helped the IMF member countries’ economic indicators to improve. Also, I had a very fulfilling experience when the policy report I participated in making was acknowledged in the IMF Board of Executive Directors’ discussions. Once, a research paper that I had written for several months with my colleague was published in a journal owned by LSE (The London School of Economics and Political Science). This was another experience that left me with a great sense of achievement.
Most of the difficulties I face on the job arise from cultural differences. The IMF is a place where professionals who come from different backgrounds compete intensely with each other. If one doesn’t express his or her thoughts clearly, people think of that person as “witless person”, so straight talk is encouraged. At first, I had to make a lot of effort in order to adjust to the new work environment, because I had been raised in a culture that considers “humility” and “moderation” as important virtues. Also, getting used to the various accents of the English language was another hurdle I had to overcome.
Which characteristic of the IMF has impressed you the most so far?
As I mentioned, people with very different backgrounds work together at the IMF. In my division, there are about twenty professionals, but none of them share the same nationality. The power that “diversity” holds is very impressive indeed. The collaboration of people who are different in terms of nationality, gender, age, education, profession and experience creates synergy. People can learn from each other in and outside of the workplace, and they produce all kinds of ideas to solve the problem in times of crisis. Also, many points of view coming from different directions prevent bias. When deciding on an important item, different divisions exchange comments through a thorough review process. This helps complete a more objective and balanced report.
Could you please describe the kind of attitude one should have when working in an international organization?
It’s not easy for people working for international organizations to feel a sense of belonging, because their work is intended for so many member countries. That is all the more reason why a sense of responsibility and faith in public service are necessary. Also one needs to strengthen one’s resolve because oftentimes one can be sent on a business trip to a faraway country in the least developed areas of the world. Another important thing is learning to manage relationships and acquiring ‘people skills’. After all, an international organization is a workplace in which people have to cooperate with each other. Keeping an open mind and forming friendships with colleagues who have different thoughts and backgrounds help to develop a flexible way of thinking.
What kind of advice would you like to give to students at SNU who wish to work for international organizations in the future?
In order to fulfill your dream in international organizations, becoming an expert in a particular area is your number one priority. That’s because ample knowledge and experience in a specific field come in handy when dealing with convoluted problems in the international society. You also have to be aware at all times of what changes there are in your field on a global scale and how countries and international organizations view certain issues, then develop your own thoughts about those issues. This will be of great help when applying for a job in international organizations and needing to meet the necessary qualifications requirements.
Linguistic competence is an indispensable requirement. English is not only a means of communication but also a critical vehicle of research and presentation. So unless you are a native speaker, you shouldn’t stop honing your language skills even after you enter an international organization. Moreover, training yourself to think logically and to back up your arguments with sufficient data is essential.
Nowadays the number of Koreans working for international organizations has increased, but it is still not enough to match the economic status Korea holds in the global society. I will cheer for other SNU students to fulfill their dreams in various fields on the world stage.
Written by JANG Hyo Jeong, SNU English Editor, fatalbonds@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies, eps7257@snu.ac.kr
Proofread by Brett Johnson, SNU English Editor, morningcalm2@gmail.com