I officially arrived in Seoul last week and am starting my internship at DeltaTech-Korea this week! It has been an adjustment settling in, but I am excited to finally begin working. Over the past few days, I’ve had the chance to explore a bit of the city, adjust to the time difference, and get familiar with my surroundings. One thing that immediately stands out is the energy here. Seoul is a fast-moving city, and I can already tell that it will take some time to fully absorb all that it has to offer.
DeltaTech-Korea is an innovation management firm that works in the technology transfer and commercialization space. In simple terms, they help bring new technologies to market by working with inventors, research institutions, startups, and larger companies to identify promising innovations and find ways to commercialize them. This includes services like joint R&D project development, technology licensing, scouting, commercialization support, and hosting open innovation events. They also operate a network called the DelBiz Network, which connects global innovation players.
The industry DeltaTech-Korea operates in is a unique blend of consulting, business development, and innovation strategy. It requires a strong understanding of both business and technology, as well as the ability to communicate across disciplines and cultures. I am coming into this internship as a finance and economics student, so I am particularly interested in how new technologies are evaluated from a market and commercial potential standpoint, and how DeltaTech helps guide them toward actual adoption and revenue generation.
To be successful in this industry, several key skills and strengths are important. The first is adaptability. The landscape of technology and innovation is constantly evolving, and no two projects are the same. Being able to quickly learn about new technologies and industries, understand different stakeholders’ needs, and adjust strategies accordingly is crucial. The second is communication. Because DeltaTech-Korea works with such a wide range of clients and partners, often across different languages and cultural backgrounds, being able to communicate ideas clearly and build trust is essential. Third is curiosity and a willingness to learn. The technologies being commercialized can range from healthcare to energy to manufacturing to IT, so having an open mind and eagerness to dive into unfamiliar topics will go a long way.
Some competencies are particularly important for succeeding in this industry within the Korean business environment. Based on both my preparation through the Culture Smart Korea book, personal research, and what I observed two summers ago when I shadowed a company in Tokyo, I know that understanding cultural expectations and business etiquette is key in this part of the world. One competency is patience. Decision-making in Korean business culture can take time, as consensus and relationship-building are highly valued. Being pushy or trying to rush the process can backfire quickly. Instead, showing respect for the process and being willing to invest in long-term relationships is important.
Another competency is cultural awareness and sensitivity. Hierarchies and formalities play a significant role in Korean workplaces. Understanding how to communicate appropriately with people at different levels of an organization, when to speak up and when to listen, and how to navigate social cues is something I will need to continually be mindful of.
My shadowing experience in Tokyo gave me a preview of what working in an Asian business culture can feel like. I observed that while efficiency and results matter everywhere, the process of building trust and demonstrating respect often comes first in these environments. That experience helped me appreciate how important it is to adapt my communication style and expectations. I expect many of those same lessons will apply here in Seoul, though with differences unique to Korean culture.
Beyond that experience, I also bring other skills that I believe will help me during this internship. In past leadership roles, such as directing new member education in my fraternity and leading large philanthropic projects, I learned how to manage complex tasks, communicate with diverse groups, and stay organized under pressure. I’ve also worked in fast-paced, client-facing jobs, which taught me how to think on my feet and prioritize effectively. I think these experiences, along with my diverse academic portfolio, will help me contribute meaningfully to projects at DeltaTech and navigate the learning curve that comes with working in a new industry and country.
I also hope this experience in Korea will further strengthen skills I can bring back to internships and jobs in the US. In particular, I want to deepen my cross-cultural communication skills and global business awareness. In today’s connected world, having the ability to work across cultures and understand different markets is a huge asset. I also want to gain more experience thinking strategically about innovation and commercialization, which ties back to my academic interests.
Overall, I feel both excited and a little nervous to be starting this new chapter. I know there will be challenges, but I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can, both professionally and personally, over the coming weeks. I think the combination of prior experiences I bring and the new competencies I will develop here in Seoul, will shape me into a more well-rounded professional moving forward.
