EDUCATION.
B.A. COMMS W/ pr minor
(2011-2015)
“What can you do with Communication Studies?!” I’ll admit I didn’t initially choose this major (hello, nursing school reject here!) but it is precisely its vague reputation that drew me in. Think about it— communication is an inescapable element of everyday, “mundane” interactions, the work environment, cross-country diplomacy, etc. So to answer that first question: the sky’s the limit!
And it was while I was in the midst of doing hands-on PR projects for real clients that my interest in marketing, branding, & entrepreneurship truly sparked.
In all my professional experience, my Comms & PR toolkit continues to serve me not only theoretically but remains the heart of how I meaningfully connect with others and strive to provide the best human-centered experiences.
ORGS:
VarcitySF Hip-Hop dance club
NOTABLE PROJECTS:
““Omo, oppa! I saranghae you so much! Fighting!”: Unpacking the Korean-Pop Fandom Language”. Published in “Writing for a Real World”, 2015.
AWARDS:
2015 Prize-Winning Essay, “Omo, oppa! I saranghae you so much! Fighting!”: Unpacking the Korean-Pop Fandom Language” in USFCA’s “Writing for a Real World” publication
M.A. ASIA PACIFIC STUDIES w/ BUSINESS CONCENTRA-TION
(2016-2018)
In 2016, while running an online K-Pop merch store, I applied for MAPS (M.A. Asia Pacific Studies) because it didn’t sit right with me to simply profit off a cultural product. I knew it was essential that I truly understand the culture, history, and various contexts behind it.
In this program, I was able to hone my research and presentation skills and learned to not only mindfully navigate the Asian-Pacific sphere (past, present, & future) but the immediate world around me. My ability to approach my professional work with multiple lenses, emotional intelligence, and diplomacy is an invaluable asset that MAPS helped me polish.
Today, while I may not exclusively pursue Asia-Pacific- centered roles, I continue to utilize my research chops and “soft skills” to apply a well-balanced approach to any role I undertake.
ORGS:
2016-17 Recruiter - MAPS Career & Networking Forum Planning Committee
NOTABLE PROJECTS:
“Hanboks, Vampires, and Cross-dressing Women: The Appeal of Korean Historical Dramas Among American Viewers”. Published in Yonsei Journal of International Studies, 2018.
“At War for OPPA and Identity”: Competitive Performativity among Korean-Pop Fandoms“. Master’s Capstone, 2018.
AWARDS:
2017 Best Korea Paper Award at the UH Manoa School of Pacific and Asian Studies Graduate Student Conference