Bridging Academia and Practice in International Affairs
- Minji Park
- Dec 28, 2024
- 1 min read
Dr. Junhyup Kim – Bridging Academia and Practice in International Affairs
Assistant Professor of International Politics, Former Development Consultant
Dr. Kim is a career shifter : Professor of International Geo-politics Studies to International Development Consultant (Now he’s back to the academic field again). Initially trained in business, Kim’s drive to serve the public led him to political science and later international cooperation. His academic background combined with hands-on fieldwork in NGOs and development programs gave him a holistic view of geopolitics and global governance.
Kim sees immense value in mentoring students to understand global complexity through both theoretical and practical lenses. However, he notes the difficulty of keeping up with fast-changing global dynamics while maintaining academic rigor and relevance.
In his years as a development consultant, Kim witnessed both the profound limitations and incremental victories of international aid. He emphasized that success in this field is slow, often invisible, and requires patience, empathy, and sustained collaboration.
He envisions a future where students and young professionals combine diverse fields—public health, policy, statistics, or sociology—with development work. For those seeking clarity, he recommends active internships and volunteerism as formative stepping stones toward a sustainable career.
Advisory to Youth:
“Don’t rush to ‘succeed.’ In global cooperation, your impact may be small, slow, or even uncertain—but it matters. Stay curious, stay compassionate, and find peers who share your vision.”
The Detailed Interview -
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