The GR Group offers an excellent internship program for talented university students and graduates, many of whom are seeking to pursue a career in government relations.
We sat down with Daeun Lee to ask about her experience as an intern.
1. Why did you decide to join GR Korea?
As a senior, I was seeking internship opportunities to gain job experience before graduation. While looking through job posts on our school's Career Development Centre’s website, I came across GR Korea’s job post. As a business major and international relations minor, I found GR Korea’s vision to help global businesses adapt to the cultural and political environment in Korea extremely meaningful in that it contributes to Korea elevating its role in the global society. I also considered experiencing the field of government relations as a great opportunity to further connect and widen my interest in both business and international relations.
2. How would you describe your colleagues at GR Korea?
The warm and open environment at GR Korea built through the contribution of all colleagues was the primary reason I was able to challenge and develop myself constantly during my time at GR Korea. People here share a vision of growing together and embed this in their work through cultivating opportunities for feedback from everyone regardless of background or work experience. They highly appreciate challenges over conforming, which instigates daily debates that seek more effective measures to tackle multifaceted problems. Such a culture is spread throughout the company, from leadership to trainee level. This inclusiveness also motivates us trainees to pitch in by doing our best as well. This keeps our high standards strong and cherished.
3. What have you learned during your time at GR Korea?
I have been able to sharpen my research and analytical skills through supporting multiple tasks such as writing proposals and developing advocacy materials. I have also had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and interest in government policies. Keeping up with the most important topics in the political arena through media monitoring and reflecting such discussions in my work has allowed me to grow my own perspective on how solutions to social problems materialise and how such measures actually affect our daily lives.
However, most of all, I have learned the perseverance needed to meet our high standards rather than lowering them. Through the process of going through the same material over and over to strive for the highest standards, I have learned that such devotion becomes solid ground for finding a better approach next time, which will eventually become one of my strengths. By learning how to push myself forward and break limits I have set for myself, I have equipped myself with a mindset of continuously improving myself.
4. How is your experience here going to impact your future studies and career?
Having dreamt of becoming a CEO of a multinational corporation, I have learned at GR Korea that to operate a business navigating different political and cultural backgrounds, it is essential to have an analytical mindset assessing distinct business environments. Moreover, experiencing the professionalism required to streamline the business process despite possible political and cultural obstacles has motivated me to continue studying. I plan to go to law school where I hope to develop a competitive edge in connecting law with my interest in international trade and investment and continue pursuing my dream of operating or assisting global businesses.
5. Any memorable moments at GR Korea?
When I joined my very first regular meeting it was quite meaningful as I could directly experience communicating with clients. The times when our work was covered frequently by mainstream media were also memorable. However, I must say that the best part of my experience at GR Korea were the unforgettable moments that I spent with my colleagues. I remember the day we built some shelves for the office altogether; the day we celebrated colleagues’ birthdays that fall in December; and the time we bought some late-night snacks and sat around, completely absorbed in our lively discussions and losing track of time. GR Group day was also unforgettable. Connecting with colleagues from all over the world to solve exciting puzzles was truly exceptional and I was very grateful to be given the opportunity to share this meaningful moment.
6. What kind of advice would you give to people who are thinking of joining GR Korea?
I believe it is very rare for us students to have the opportunity to go through an internship that provides opportunities to the extent that the more you strive, the more you can reap. Here, we are given the responsibility to take on a significant part of the work which eventually allows us to develop our own abilities in the process. So if you are looking for a meaningful breakthrough, I highly recommend this challenging opportunity! Moreover, if you are currently wondering where your interests lie, exploring diverse client work at GR Korea can definitely give you a hand in specifying your field of interest.
