국민대학교

Six month internship with the Commercial Service in the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Korea (주한 미국 대사관, 상무부 인턴쉽)

“Do't hesitate to apply for this internship because 6 months at CS Korea is a worthwhile experience which will have an impact on your life for more than 60 years.” – Former Commercial Service Intern -

Welcome!

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commercial Service) located in the U.S. Embassy in Seoul has had, for more than 10 years, one of Korea’s most successful and intensive internship programs. We have graduated over 160 interns from our internship program.

Our six (6) month internship program is longer than most in Korea. It provides interns months, not weeks, of real-world international business exposure and experience that prepares young professionals for a future job.

While we are not able to provide financial remuneration, we do provide a meaningful, constructive, positive working environment that will assist you as you prepare for professional employment.

As well, we provide a letter of recommendation at the completion of your internship. This letter will carefully reflect your work and accomplishments.

We sincerely hope, that if you are qualify, you will submit an application.

Sincerely yours,
Commercial Service/U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Embassy, Seoul, South Korea

Qualifications:

        Undergraduate or graduate students;

        Strong computer skills;

        Fluency in both Korean and English;

        Some international or commercial experience is highly recommended but not mandatory/required;

        Ability to: work in teams; learn quickly; and multi-task under pressure;

        Pass an interview panel and a three-month background security investigation;

        Maturity.

Remuneration: This position is voluntary and unpaid.

Timeline for 2015 Summer to Fall Applicants (Starts June – Dec., 2015)

We are looking for 10full-time interns for a minimum of 24-weeks (6 months) from June to Dec., 2015.

        January 30, 2015 – All applications must be received for the 2015 Summer - Fall Internship.

        Feb. 2 – March 6, 2015 – CS reviews all applications; Interviews conducted, and finalists selected.

Your Application Packet Should Contain

        Curriculum Vitae.

        Educational background including month and year you graduated or will graduate from your current academic institution.

        Korean and English fluency levels: Spoken, Written and Reading.

        Previous work or internship experience if any.

        Contact information including telephone numbers and email addresses where we can easily reach you.

        Citizenship: Most of our interns are Korean citizens.

        Supporting information: cover letter (required), letter of recommendation (optional, but recommended) and industrial preferences (recommended).

        Please give us an idea of some of the industrial or commercial areas of interest that you have. For example, chemicals, education, consumer products, environment products, medical, IT industry, transportation, construction, tourism and etc.

Please send the above information and introductory cover letter via email to:
Intern Coordinator
Email: Office.Seoul@trade.gov
Deadline: January 30, 2015

Benefits of an Internship with CS Korea

        You’ll work closely with an experienced and dedicated commercial specialist who will mentor you and afford you opportunities to participate in both normal and high profile events with US and Korean company executives.

        CS Interns are respected as young professionals and have real international trade assistant responsibilities. As a result, CS Korea interns have a high learning curve and gain valuable experience in a professional work environment.

        CS interns participate in numerous events and activities to include events at the U. S. Ambassador's residence, and other high-profile events.

        CS interns will learn professional ethics and protocol, and will network with numerous business entities and will form lifelong friendships with their class of interns, while having fun.

What You Will Learn

       Learn to conduct independent market research and draft quality reports in English will that offer professional industry insight to U.S. companies.

       Gain effective cross-culture communication skills.

       Learn how to multi-task; how to plan and execute a trade event.

       Interns will be exposed to a business environment where they learn to perform under pressure while remaining composed, competent, and organized. Tasks often require very fast turn-around time, and will require quick, on-the-ground, thinking.

Comments from Previous Interns

The following are comments from previous interns about their internship experience with the U.S. Commercial Service in Korea:

“When you hear the word ‘intern’ what comes to your mind first? A person scurrying for coffee and papers? Or a person chasing after constant telephone rings and facing battles with an old copy machine? If you find yourself worrying about managing all those tedious chores, you are more than welcome to dispel such ideas once you set foot in the U.S. Commercial Service Korea. Here you will be involved in a host of eye-widening experiences. You will be exposed to a world of researching, composing reports, preparing for meetings from beginning to end, and networking with not only officers and interns within the Embassy but also business people from both Korean and American firms. When you leave the Embassy, don’t get too overwhelmed by how much you have grown up!” – Kim, Mi Rae/ Yonsei University/ Intern, Winter 2010 – Spring 2011

“When I look back at the past 6 months, it was like living a dream. I never expected, as an intern, to participate in actual business meetings and be able to share my opinions with clients. My internship period happened around the time of the passage of the KORUS FTA. Thus, our office was busy and packed. I learned to adapt to a fast-moving environment and learned how to work quickly but accurately. It was hard in the beginning, but with the guidance of commercial specialists and support from my colleague interns, I successfully finished projects. While working here, I gained profound business knowledge and met lots of people who inspired me.” – Jung, Ji Young / Yonsei University/ Intern, Winter – Spring 2012

“If you are seeking to broaden your views and perspectives in the ‘real business world’, I can tell you that this internship will present you with the complete guide to embarking on your future career. You will be put in charge of so many different tasks ranging from producing marketing materials to drafting market feasibility reports that will eventually be viewed by high-profile business people. As a CS Korea intern, I can assure you that there will never be a dull moment as you will learn how to efficiently multitask and prioritize your given tasks under the guidance of the Commercial Specialist.

I am very proud of the fact that my small contribution and commitment have created some positive outcomes for both Korea and U.S. businesses; no doubt you will learn and do the same once you join CS Korea as an intern. Jo, Yu Jin / Busan University of Foreign Studies / Intern, Winter – Spring 2012

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards. This internship was not easy at first, but I soon realized that it is here that you can utilize what you have learned in school in a real business environment. I had the chance to participate in business meetings, organize trade events, make phone calls, write and translate business reports, and analyze Korea’s industrial environment. We also had a chance to meet U.S. President Obama and U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim.

Each and every commercial event was meaningful and left unforgettable memories. The Commercial Specialists and American Officers I worked with are my lifelong mentors. After finishing the half year journey, I have found myself one step closer to my dream job and career. – Lim, Hyun Soo / Sogang University / Intern, Winter – Spring 2012

Here, unlike other internship programs, I could get involved in a variety of projects and events with more responsibility and freedom. I was fortunate to have had an opportunity to contribute to a state trade mission by working closely with my specialist, designing the whole process of the meetings, preparing market research for seven different US companies, and participating in conference calls to narrow down their business goals. The most challenging part for me was to engage in the project as a real professional at the forefront of trade between two countries, but I have overcome all challenges with self-confidence and pride.

As a college senior, I had never thought about meeting the President of the United States in person. I had never thought about exchanging my name card with the representatives from different states. I had never thought about participating in meetings with high level people from a number of companies. The U.S. Commercial Service made it all happen. For the last six months, my days were filled with many colorful experiences and memorable lessons. I have learned what to expect in a real business world, and I have learned to put theories into practice. Now I work with broader perspective and see things from different angles. – Lee, Ji Hoon, Hanyang University – 2012 Spring-Summer Internship