Kate Jung
University of Washington (Foster)
“Part-time cat Instagrammer. Full-time changemaker, writer and global citizen with a vision for empowering the next-generation.”
Fun fact about yourself: As a child, I earned a brown belt in Taekwondo. I still have several wood boards in my closet that I broke while practicing my back-kicks.
Hometown: Issaquah, Washington
High School: Laurel Springs School
Major: Finance, International Business (Japanese Track)
Favorite Business Course: Competing in the Global Economy
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Office of the Provost Husky Experience Student Advisory Council, 2017-18
- Certificate of International Studies in Business (CISB), VP of Alumni Relations, 2017-18
- Project Manager and Core Consultant, Business Impact Group
- Member, Delta Sigma Pi, Sigma Upsilon Chapter
- Feature in Winter 2018 Issue of Foster Business Magazine
- Brad & Danielle Tilden Scholarship Recipient, 2017-18
- Inaugural Accenture Student Consultant of the Year, 2016
- Husky Leadership Certificate, 2016-17
- 3rd Place, PwC National Intern Case Competition, 2017
- Foster School Representative, Australia Undergraduate Business Case Competition, 2016
- 1st Place, CISB Foreign Market Strategy Project, 2016
Where have you interned during your college career?
- LinkedIn: 2017-18 Campus Editor in Seattle, WA
- PwC: Advisory Intern in Seattle, WA
- Artemis Connection: Intern in Seattle, WA
- Avanade: Growth & Strategy Intern in Seattle, WA
Where will you be working after graduation? I will be joining PwC in San Francisco as a Management Consulting Associate.
What did you enjoy most about your business school? My global education through the Certificate of International Studies in Business (CISB) program. This program took my education to a truly global level by offering unparalleled applications in international business. Thanks to the CISB program, I have explored female and social entrepreneurship abroad in India, participated in a cultural homestay and language immersion program in Japan, and even represented my school in an international case competition in Australia. Without the CISB program, I would never have had these transformational experiences in cross-cultural understanding and leadership.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? From consulting local businesses in underserved communities to exploring social entrepreneurship in India, I have learned that business can be a powerful mechanism to drive social change and empowerment. I also understand that I don’t have to wait to create that change. Whether it is enabling entrepreneurs on my campus as part of my university’s seed fund or developing pro-bono strategies for a national science curriculum provider during an internship, I know that my voice matters and that I can mobilize it with my business toolkit.
“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…Human-centered design and engineering.”
What has surprised you most about majoring in business? Your business education only starts in the classroom. It really adds value when you begin applying the skills you learn out in the real-world.
Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? Many say “mother knows best.” That’s certainly true for me. My mother pushed me to pursue business by convincing me that my background in musical theatre would set a powerful foundation for my business education. Ultimately, I think she was right, because communication and storytelling are important elements for both disciplines.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? In 2016, I was given the opportunity to lead a student team in the annual Foreign Market Strategy Project sponsored by MOD Pizza. The competition was particularly meaningful, because it was one of my first opportunities to lead outside the classroom. While our win truly validated my confidence as a leader, what truly resonated with me was how the experience reinforced my ambition to solve complex global problems. Following the competition, my team was able to visit MOD Pizza headquarters and present our strategy to the executive team, which I felt truly affirmed my voice as a future global leader ready to create an impact.
Which classmate do you most admire? Raphael Gaultier. Raphael represents the kind of multidimensional leader that I aspire to be. Both a business student and creator of Human Condition magazine, Raphael has deftly combined corporate with creativity. In his work, both within our professional fraternity and at his magazine, he always puts others before himself, which mirrors exactly how he leads. As my friend and peer, Raphael constantly inspires me to lead with kindness and creative confidence.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My parents. Without their unconditional support, I wouldn’t be here.
What would your theme song be? “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyonce. I believe that now more than ever female empowerment is needed as an engine for social change. In my future, I intend to measure my life in part by how my actions contribute to the development of women across the globe.
What are the top two items on your bucket list? Write and publish an epic high fantasy novel. Visit Petra in Jordan.
Favorite book: A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
Favorite movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere in Japan
What are your hobbies? Writing, graphic design, and hunting for the best sashimi in Seattle
What made Kate such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2018?
“Kate Jung’s curriculum vitae is pretty impressive. She’s splitting her studies in finance and international business. Through Foster’s Certificate of International Studies in Business (CISB) program, she has studied abroad in Japan and India. She won the inaugural Accenture Student Consultant of the Year award for her work with the Consulting and Business Development Center. She has competed and won numerous case competitions at Foster, and represented the school at the Australia International Case Competition. And she has interned at Artemis Connection, Avanade and PwC, where she took 3rd place in the firm’s national intern case competition.
Kate would give Foster much of the credit for her success. But credit is also due to her devotion to writing and the musical theater in her formative years.
“I developed a passion for performing in front of audiences—which later translated to my involvement in case competitions. I believe musical theater set a powerful foundation for my business education. Communication and storytelling are important skills for both disciplines.”
Especially when you begin your career in consulting at PwC, as Kate will do this spring. She eventually hopes to work internationally, leading the expansion of a prominent brand. She’s also an aspiring writer (and has already published on LinkedIn as part of its Campus Editor program).
All of this, and more, makes Kate an invaluable addition to Foster’s Class of 2018.”
Ed Kromer
Managing Editor
Foster Business
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