We are thrilled to launch a new social media series where we dive into the journeys of former interns at NKDB. Every two weeks, NKDB will post another interview with a former NKDB intern on our website as well as our social media page.
Stay tuned for interesting insights in the life of an NKDB intern and their stories!
Kicking off with Melissa Anne Lee, an intern from 2023, we'll explore her experience at NKDB and where life has taken her since.
[Full interview]
Please introduce yourself briefly.
My name is Melissa Anne Lee (이미수) and I'm from Houston, Texas. I graduated from Texas A&M University with degrees in engineering and business and currently work at an oil and gas company. I am third-generation Korean-American on my dad's side and Singaporean on my mom's side. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, journaling, and spending time with friends from school and church.
What did your tasks look like when you worked at NKDB?
My tasks ranged from transcribing seminars, creating social media posts, translating informational material, reading the COI, and helping with any events and ad hoc projects.
Are there any specific projects or initiatives you worked on during your internship that you found particularly meaningful or impactful? If so, could you share them with us?
I particularly enjoyed hosting students from Roanoke College at our headquarters. It was a great opportunity to prove what I had learned during the internship and present it in a manner accessible to fellow Americans. I always love sharing about the amazing work NKDB does!
Can you share with us what you've been up to since your internship with NKDB? How has your journey evolved professionally and personally?
Right now, I work as an analyst at an oil and gas company called Phillips 66. I schedule and market NGLs (natural gas liquids) at some of our plants across Texas and Colorado. My role involves coordinating truck movements, managing contracts, and building customer relationships. Outside of work, I started a podcast with my friends, joined a local Toastmasters club, and became involved at my church. My journey from NKDB to present may seem completely unrelated, but I've embraced that I'm in a unique position to bring awareness to North Korean human rights issues to those who might not be naturally exposed. For example, I decorated my cubicle with some items from NKDB which have sparked some meaningful conversations with my coworkers!
Reflecting on your time with NKDB, what were some of the most valuable lessons or experiences you gained during your internship? How do you think you could apply these in your future endeavors?
I came to NKDB with a curiosity for but little actual knowledge of the human rights space. I left with the incredible experience of interacting with real escapees and immersing myself in firsthand accounts of North Korean human rights violations. There is only so much I can gain from reading articles overseas, so learning from true sources was extremely valuable. Looking ahead, I now have a more comprehensive understanding of North Korea and its people with which I can continue engaging my community.
How do you believe your involvement with NKDB has influenced your understanding of North Korean human rights issues, and has it shaped your career aspirations or goals in any way?
NKDB provided the fundamental groundwork of my understanding of North Korean human rights issues. I saw the office as a classroom. Each task and project helped prepare me for a conversation with an escapee, a speech from a human rights advocate, or an interaction with someone back home who, like me, was curious yet still uninformed.
Looking back, what advice would you give to current or prospective interns interested in working with organizations focused on North Korean human rights or similar causes?
To current and prospective interns, I would advise them to not lose sight of the big picture. When work gets busy, it's easy to get caught up in micromanaging the details. I wish I had taken a step back sometimes to absorb what the overall objective was. I would encourage them to pull from other strengths and fields of knowledge that, though unexpected, may lead to more innovative and efficient work.
We thank Melissa for her beautiful words and wish her all the best for her future!
We are thrilled to launch a new social media series where we dive into the journeys of former interns at NKDB. Every two weeks, NKDB will post another interview with a former NKDB intern on our website as well as our social media page.
Stay tuned for interesting insights in the life of an NKDB intern and their stories!
Kicking off with Melissa Anne Lee, an intern from 2023, we'll explore her experience at NKDB and where life has taken her since.
[Full interview]
Please introduce yourself briefly.
My name is Melissa Anne Lee (이미수) and I'm from Houston, Texas. I graduated from Texas A&M University with degrees in engineering and business and currently work at an oil and gas company. I am third-generation Korean-American on my dad's side and Singaporean on my mom's side. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, journaling, and spending time with friends from school and church.
What did your tasks look like when you worked at NKDB?
My tasks ranged from transcribing seminars, creating social media posts, translating informational material, reading the COI, and helping with any events and ad hoc projects.
Are there any specific projects or initiatives you worked on during your internship that you found particularly meaningful or impactful? If so, could you share them with us?
I particularly enjoyed hosting students from Roanoke College at our headquarters. It was a great opportunity to prove what I had learned during the internship and present it in a manner accessible to fellow Americans. I always love sharing about the amazing work NKDB does!
Can you share with us what you've been up to since your internship with NKDB? How has your journey evolved professionally and personally?
Right now, I work as an analyst at an oil and gas company called Phillips 66. I schedule and market NGLs (natural gas liquids) at some of our plants across Texas and Colorado. My role involves coordinating truck movements, managing contracts, and building customer relationships. Outside of work, I started a podcast with my friends, joined a local Toastmasters club, and became involved at my church. My journey from NKDB to present may seem completely unrelated, but I've embraced that I'm in a unique position to bring awareness to North Korean human rights issues to those who might not be naturally exposed. For example, I decorated my cubicle with some items from NKDB which have sparked some meaningful conversations with my coworkers!
Reflecting on your time with NKDB, what were some of the most valuable lessons or experiences you gained during your internship? How do you think you could apply these in your future endeavors?
I came to NKDB with a curiosity for but little actual knowledge of the human rights space. I left with the incredible experience of interacting with real escapees and immersing myself in firsthand accounts of North Korean human rights violations. There is only so much I can gain from reading articles overseas, so learning from true sources was extremely valuable. Looking ahead, I now have a more comprehensive understanding of North Korea and its people with which I can continue engaging my community.
How do you believe your involvement with NKDB has influenced your understanding of North Korean human rights issues, and has it shaped your career aspirations or goals in any way?
NKDB provided the fundamental groundwork of my understanding of North Korean human rights issues. I saw the office as a classroom. Each task and project helped prepare me for a conversation with an escapee, a speech from a human rights advocate, or an interaction with someone back home who, like me, was curious yet still uninformed.
Looking back, what advice would you give to current or prospective interns interested in working with organizations focused on North Korean human rights or similar causes?
To current and prospective interns, I would advise them to not lose sight of the big picture. When work gets busy, it's easy to get caught up in micromanaging the details. I wish I had taken a step back sometimes to absorb what the overall objective was. I would encourage them to pull from other strengths and fields of knowledge that, though unexpected, may lead to more innovative and efficient work.
We thank Melissa for her beautiful words and wish her all the best for her future!