FROM A LINCOLN LEARNER TO A COMMUNICATOR FOR THE UNITED NATIONS!

A Communications Specialist in Diplomacy and one of our former students! Get to know the astounding career of Vanesa Kim, Class of 2017. 

At Lincoln, we inspire our learners to become agents of change. Vanesa Kim took that promise with determination to build a stellar career in diplomacy! After she graduated from Lincoln in 2017, already with a passion for Global Politics, she pursued her Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and Social Sciences at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. 

But the classroom was not enough for our self-navigator. To learn by doing, Vanesa started working as the Argentine Secretary General in President Mauricio Macri's Administration. “I had the opportunity to learn about a wide range of domestic and international policy issues. It was truly the one experience that shaped my understanding of politics,” she shared with us during an interview. 

From Argentine diplomacy, she then became a Latin American Communications Consultant at The Wilson Center in Washington D.C. But even with all these experiences, something was missing. “My one dream to study abroad still stood.” That is what led her to pursue her Master's Degree in Global Politics at Columbia University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 2022. 

As impressive as all this is, there were still higher mountains to climb. In 2023, Vanesa started working in the Department of Global Communications at the United Nations (UN), where she supports visual communication and outreach activities in coordination with other UN agencies. Learn more about our amazing former student! 

As a Korean-Argentine, being a Lincoln student taught me to find beauty in what makes me different and to find pride in my roots.

What is it like to work at the United Nations?

You learn so much about diplomacy and how different countries adopt diverse policy approaches. Diplomacy is so complex— it's fascinating to understand how multi-layered it is. 

How did the school prepare you for your career?

I am very grateful for what Lincoln has taught me. I actually learned that I was passionate about diplomacy at Lincoln when I took my IB HL in Global Politics. Full circle moment! 

As a Korean-Argentine, being a Lincoln student taught me to find beauty in what makes me different and to find pride in my roots. But above everything else, I am grateful for the people I have met during my time at school.

Are you still in touch with friends from Lincoln?

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I randomly ran into Lincoln friends around the world. Just to share a recent anecdote, I ran into someone whom I had not seen in nine years and rekindled a connection during my visit to Buenos Aires over Christmas break. How crazy! 

How would you describe a Lincoln learner?

Curious, passionate, and a self-starter.

What advice would you give to our younger students?

It's impossible to have everything figured out. While it's important to build a framework that keeps you motivated, try to leave space for the little surprises that life presents you.  

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