What’s It Like Working on LiNK’s Media Team?
Our media team creates fresh, engaging content to keep you up to date on this issue and the achievements and challenges of the North Korean people. While you’re familiar with our posts and videos, there are seven interns who you might not know so well—and we want to change that! These individuals have been hard at work creating new content and supporting LiNK’s cause. We’ve enjoyed getting to know them, and want to give you the chance to do so, too!
Esther – Videographer
My name is Esther and I was born in Hawaii but grew up in Orange County, California. I went to Boston University and studied journalism with a concentration in photography.
Why did you decide to intern at LiNK?
I’ve known about LiNK since I was in high school because there was a Rescue Team on my campus. I started to learn about the issues there but I wasn’t really involved because I was doing a bunch of other social activities. In college, I had a lot of friends who were involved, so I stayed in touch with the issues. Then I was doing another internship before this, generating a lot of content that was going to be used on social media, and I looked at LiNK’s social media, which looked really awesome, just so I could get some ideas. While I was looking through the website, I found the opening for the position and I thought, That would be exciting. So, after eight years of not doing anything, I could actually get involved. I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn about the issue and do something about it.
What is the best part of your internship?
In my position specifically, I like that I get to learn a lot. I’m using new programs and learning a lot of new skills right away. I’m also really surprised about how organized and professional everything is, while still maintaining a lot of excitement and energy in the office.
If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be and why?
I guess I would say I feel lucky to be the person that I am and I can’t really think of who I would want to be otherwise, even though my life’s not perfect.
Who inspires you?
For everything? I guess I would have to say Jesus, just for how I carry myself with my life and how everything that we do is to be done out of love and compassion and not for selfish gain.
Where would you like to settle down?
I would really love to live in the Pacific Northwest or Colorado, although I have not been to either of those places. They just look really nice and I love the mountains and hiking.
Natalie – Social Media
I’m Natalie and I’m from Avalon, California, which is on Catalina Island. I go to Harvard and I’m concentrating in sociology.
Why did you decide to intern at LiNK?
The summer of my freshman year of college I studied abroad in South Korea. My program was part language, part documentary filmmaking, and one of the documentaries we watched provided me with a new perspective on how complex North and South Korean relations are, but also let me see North Korean people in a much more real and personal light. After my time abroad, I wanted to stay engaged with the topic, and I was also getting increasingly interested in social media use and tactics, so I just combined those two interests and found LiNK.
What is the best part of your internship?
Everyone here is very chill while still getting their work done, which is a nice balance. I also love the fact that the supervisors are so approachable and genuinely want you to feel like you’re a part of the team. It makes coming to work something enjoyable and exciting and I really appreciate the environment here. I also love the dogs because they’re super cute. And the intern class is wonderful. Honestly, just everything.
If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be and why?
I really like John Boyega. I don’t know if I want to be him, but maybe if I could hang out with him or be his really close friend… He’s just such a wonderful person.
If you had to listen to one song on repeat for an entire day, what would it be?
It depends on the day and my mood… But today I think it’d probably be ‘Middle’ by DJ Snake. It’s just really catchy.
Who inspires you?
It’s kind of a cliche answer, but my parents. Being immigrants, they sacrificed so much and went through so many hardships just so my siblings and I could have better lives. Even though I’m a pretty self-motivated person, just knowing that they’ve done so much is really inspiring and pushes me to work harder.
Where would you like to settle down?
Since I’m on the East Coast for a majority of the year now, I really like it there. I could do without the super long winters, but the snow can be cute sometimes. I think I’d like to settle there for a few years, as a young adult… but I feel like I’ll eventually bring it back to California.
Yau Bam – Social Media
Hi, my name is Yau Bam. I’m from Southampton in England but go to Newcastle University. The one in England, not Australia! I’m studying philosophy.
Why did you decide to intern at LiNK?
I first learned about LiNK when I was applying for uni. They had a Rescue Team, which really got me interested in it, so I did some more research on the North Korean people, how I could help, and that’s why I applied.
What is the best part of your internship?
Working with everybody here is brilliant, the atmosphere is so workable. Especially in the office, it’s such an open layout, bright and cheery. This is workplace goals. It’s also amazing the amount of information we get. We get into such detail, and learn about specific North Korean stories and what goes into each rescue. It’s really awesome.
If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be and why?
I would be Tor Miller. Kinda feel like an ultimate fan girl right now. He’s a singer from New York, and he’s got this amazing voice. He can write amazing songs, play the piano… He is dreamy.
If you had to listen to one song on repeat for an entire day, what would it be?
‘State of Mind’ by Ady Suleiman…it’s a very politically charged song and it speaks about prominent modern issues, but is also really soulful and it’s quite upbeat, too!
Who inspires you?
That’s a very good question…I’m going to say Harvey Milk because he fought for rights in spite of all the opposition he faced, especially given his time frame. Or John Mill, because he is utilitarian, a philosopher, and he championed equal rights.
Where would you like to settle down?
New York City! The place where the dreams never die, or whatever. I love huge cities and skyscrapers and I like busy places, because I don’t like to slow down.
Jane – Web Design
My name is Jane. I’m from Seoul, South Korea. I go to Brandeis University and I’m studying computer science and East Asian studies.
Why did you decide to intern at LiNK?
There’s another intern here named Soobin. She gave me a sticker in high school and it had to do with North Korea and in small print it had LiNK’s website. I went to the site and was like, ‘This is mind blowing,’ because I didn’t really know the details of the 90s famine and things like that, so going on there really opened my eyes. Then at Brandeis, I took a first-year seminar on North Korea. I just continued taking a lot of East Asian studies courses and history, since I was really passionate about what was going on in North Korea. After taking a bunch of classes, I wanted to actually work for the cause.
What is the best part of your internship?
When they give free food…That and also the training because you get to learn what it’s like on the field and you get to learn all of the work, not just what you’re doing.
If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be and why?
Can I choose two people? I want to be Beyonce because she’s Beyonce—she’s amazing. I also want to be Tracy Cho. She’s a software engineer and she’s like the face of women in STEM and computer science and she’s a role model to me.
If you had to listen to one song on repeat for an entire day, what would it be?
Veridis Quo by Daft Punk. I feel like if you put it on repeat it would just feel like a continuous song.
Who inspires you?
My mom. I just think she’s badass.
Where would you like to settle down?
I want to say Cali because the weather is so nice but I also don’t think I would like being with constantly nice weather…and also because there are going to be earthquakes soon…I’m just going to go with Boston.
Peter – Web Design
My name is Peter. I’m from Salt Lake City, Utah, and I go to Georgetown University, majoring in international relations.
Why did you decide to intern at LiNK?
I’ve always really liked programming and that’s the one thing I have experience with in terms of jobs. But the reason I came to LiNK to do web design is because in high school, I did a history project on North Korea with my friend and ended up watching the 60 Minutes interview with Shin Dong Hyuk, and it blew my mind. Later, I did some more research and found out about LiNK, so I’ve always wanted to get involved. In high school I couldn’t intern or anything, and I didn’t really know about Rescue Teams, so this was the first opportunity to get involved.
What is the best part of your internship?
I think the best thing is definitely the people and the environment, because there’s a really cool atmosphere at LiNK. There’s such a big intern class, and we’re all doing different things, but working towards the same goal. The staff is also really welcoming. There are just really cool people to work with.
If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be and why?
Probably Lin-Manuel Miranda because everyone loves him, he’s a genius, and he’s so successful right now. He’s at the prime of his life. He’s just always happy about everything.
Who inspires you?
If we’re doing real-life people that I know, then definitely my older brother. Just because we think in the same way and he’s never been afraid to pursue what he wants and do what he thinks is best.
Where would you like to settle down?
Really long term, probably the Pacific Northwest. Maybe the Seattle area. I don’t think I could live on the East Coast long term. I didn’t grow up on the East Coast and I’m there for school and it’s crazy. I like the West Coast but I think Seattle is a cool mix. I would get a lot of the same nature, mountains, and forests that you get in Utah, but it would also be by a coast and be a big city.
Jen – Graphic Design
My name is Jennifer, I am 21 years old, I am from Cyprus California, which is not too far from LiNK Headquarters, I go to Virginia Commonwealth University, and I am getting my BFA in graphic design.
Why did you decide to intern at LiNK?
I love working in the nonprofit sector. I feel like most of my work background is volunteering or working at nonprofits. I found out about Liberty in North Korea when I was in high school. We had a Rescue Team there, and that’s where I first learned about what’s going on in North Korea. I researched more in my own time when I was in college and was able to fully comprehend the gravity of the situation. I didn’t even know about the great famine that happened or the prison camps until I started researching it. So, once I found out about the internship opportunity, I thought, if anything, I’ll be using my skills to help this cause anyway I can.
What is the best part of your internship?
Knowledge. Learning everything that I have so far is more than I bargained for because I thought I’d just be sitting at a computer, plugging graphics, taking photos. But the whole immersion, sitting and doing training, learning about everything from before defectors are able to cross into Southeast Asia or relocate to South Korea or the United States, to talking about their time in North Korea, the history, the social, political, and economical situations.
If you had to listen to one song on repeat for an entire day, what would it be?
OK this is so embarrassing but you know the song ‘Stitches’ by Shawn Mendes? That song got me through finals in two semesters! I have a playlist in Spotify that is ‘Finals, Get it Done’ and it’s literally Stitches, 25 times, on loop.
Who inspires you?
My mom. I aspire to be like her because she’s very generous, sweet, kind and we joke around with each other. She’s wonderful. She likes to be informed. Like yesterday, on the phone, we talked about politics, different things that are happening in the world. She’s also very creative, and very hardworking, and she has to get things done in that moment, which I can’t do. She fights for what she believes in and she will do anything for my brother and me to make sure we’re living happy lives. But at the same time, if one of us steps past the line, she will make sure that we understand the consequences to our actions. I feel like I look up to her so much because I don’t see any faults with her and she’s very empowering.
Where would you like to settle down?
Oh my gosh, California! Anywhere in California, because going to school out of state really made me appreciate my home state because there’s a lot to do, it’s a very diverse population, I feel like it’s constantly undergoing change. I think in a perfect world, if I had unlimited money, I could settle down in Carlsbad, California along the coast and drive to San Diego and eat Mexican food every day.
Maddie – Graphic Design
My name is Maddie. I go to Virginia Tech and I’m from Arlington, Virginia, right outside Washington DC. My major at Virginia Tech is graphic design.
Why did you decide to intern at LiNK?
I was looking for internships this past spring, and there are a lot of internships out there for design that are really focused on producing design really fast or design that doesn’t really… matter. But once someone told me about LiNK, it really kind of inspired me to see what LiNK does and what LiNK’s mission is and how LiNK uses design and media to communicate to their audience. I thought it was really interesting that this is a nonprofit, but they really do value design. And I just wanted to do an internship where my design meant something; where I was producing something that would make an impact and add value to the greater organization.
What is the best part of your internship?
I just love the culture of the office. I love the idea of being in a really specific design internship, but I’m also immersed with all the other interns and a lot of our jobs crossover. Even though it’s a design internship, it’s really rooted in the ideals of LiNK and it’s more than just design—it’s also becoming educated about the issue, becoming educated about the mission.
If you had to listen to one song on repeat for an entire day, what would it be?
This is super random and you guys aren’t gonna know about it—you should listen to it afterwards—there’s this band called Beach House and I would listen to them on repeat. They’re a great band to design or do work to because they’re very instrumental. Their sound is so cool and a song on their new album called ‘Space Song’ is so great to run to, work to… I could actually listen to that on repeat all day long.
Who inspires you?
These go from so fun to real life. Probably everyone would say this, but I think my parents. I have a really good justification for that! Growing up, I didn’t really notice as much how really, very intelligent my parents are and how seamlessly they raised me and my brother. They’ve done such a great job and given us a really good outlook on life, good morals, good everything. They’re very smart people who have accomplished a lot in their lives, but they’re really humble about it. They’re both just rad.
Where would you like to settle down?
I wouldn’t want to limit myself because I love the idea of moving anywhere, but as far as the U.S. goes, one place I’ve always wanted to live in is Seattle. I think it’s the perfect combination. It’s a great size, it’s beautiful because it’s in the mountains, but it’s still a city. I think the vibe of people are really cool there and there are a lot of cool design firms.
The deadline to apply for a fall internship is June 30th! Review all of the internships and apply here.
