The Author of my life highlighted the chapter of 2014 to refine my perspectives on the world and society in which I live. I rapidly gained a diverse cultural panorama traveling alone to Italy, the Bahamas, France, Belgium, and other parts of the United States. Though I lacked even the basic knowledge of these cultures prior, setting foot on these unfamiliar territories motivated me to explore not only their histories but also the world less familiar to me.
Largely due to my status as an international graduate in eventual need of a work visa, companies I applied to rarely considered me. Originally longing to remain at Emory University to prolong my memories with my alma mater, I applied for virtually its every available position that fit my degree in English literature and work experience. Oxford College’s Office of Admission first notified me of an interview. Though excited beyond measure, I was scheduled to go on a cruise to the Bahamas, and the office never followed up in the two weeks I patiently waited. I had no choice but to explain to the office administrators my vacation plan so that they would not schedule an interview while I was gone. Their vice president replied the email I read “was due to a system error,” that I was not actually selected for an interview. Disappointed, I decided to move on from higher education several days before Emory College’s Office of Admission offered me a legitimate interview, where I would be required to give a presentation, on one day’s notice. I embraced the opportunity and met with five interviewers, divided into five sessions. I felt obligated to mention my Optional Practical Training (OPT) status, that I could not be unemployed for ninety days and thus must receive an update shortly. Two interviewers individually promised to let me know in a couple of weeks to no avail. I hesitated emailing and pressuring them to speed up the selection process, but I was left with no other option when nobody from the office contacted me for over four weeks. My instinct accurately guessed somebody was already chosen but the panel did not care to inform the other two rejected candidates of the decision. I was disgusted, and their irresponsibility stealing my only time prior to the end of the year to visit my family and friends in Korea especially riled me up. I removed my account from the university HR and moved on. Two sales companies ultimately hired me, and I accepted one without realizing I would have to give up church. The hiring manager must have known this would have created a problem based on my resume and interviews but refused to disclose the peculiar working hours until my initial day of training. I quit instantly.
Ninety days of unemployment since enrolling in the OPT Program swiftly approached, and I had to mentally prepare to return to my home country of Korea. However, God had another plan. I arbitrarily wanted to surprise-visit my closest professor, whom I had not seen in over four months, without even remembering where he lived. I faced no trouble locating his home, and he and his wife welcomed me with open arms. I shared with them my situation, and we immediately found a temporary solution: I would volunteer for the wife’s nonprofit until I land a stable job that pays and will sponsor me. This experience connected me to the realm of politics and numerous individuals with remarkable accomplishments, including President Jimmy Carter, with whom my grandfather shares a profound history, and a retired chairman and CEO of United Parcel Service, who connected me to the president. Managing my own work schedule, I also participated as an extra in two films, The Originals and Vacation, being on set four separate times, making friends with actors, and even being invited to dinner with one of the actors and his family and to the wrap party of Vacation.
PC: The Carter Center
“2014 was a year of completion for our family,” expressed my father during my recent trip back to Korea. I completed my college studies on May 12. My brother completed his wedding on December 19. My mother, after twenty-seven years, completed her career at Merrill Lynch on December 31. I say, “2015 is a year of new beginnings.” Though I desperately require employment that will sponsor me for an H-1B visa, I find confidence in knowing God has always led me to the right path even when I doubted Him. Whether or not I find a job in the United States, I am certain the Author of my life knows where to take me next. I cannot wait to witness what my Father has in store for me for 2015.
Running on Faith 