Alumni Spotlight: Eddie Lee ’04

IMS: Where have you been since graduating from IMS?

EL: I graduated from IMS in 2004 and went to Choate Rosemary Hall. After, I attended NYU, where I majored in economics. After that, I served in the military. I was in the Air Force as an interpretation officer, interpreting between the US and the Korean Air Forces in Korea for three years. I went to Fordham for Law School, and then I started working at a law firm called Davis Polk. I lost out on the Visa lottery, so I went to Hong Kong, where I worked for two years. I recently joined a law firm in Korea in February, and I’ve been here for about five months now. 

IMS: What was working in the Air Force like? 

EL: It’s a mandatory service in Korea. Usually, you serve for a year and a half, but I wanted to serve as an officer, so I took the longer path and served extra time. I became an interpretation officer because few people can speak both Korean and English fluently, so I understood it as my strength. I got to experience things I normally wouldn’t be able to, had confidential information clearance, and was able to meet with higher officials in both the US and Korean Air Forces. It was a neat experience. 

IMS: Why law school? 

EL: I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer, ever since I was little. Even back when I was at IMS, I wanted to be a lawyer. I come from a lawyer family, so it was a natural path for me. I decided to go that route, and ever since then, I’ve been studying law. 

IMS: Was there an experience that confirmed your interest in law? 

EL: I joined the debate team as a sophomore at Choate. It was interesting. I thought it would be similar to law. To be honest, it wasn’t, but it helped me confirm my decision regardless. We’d debate over small issues–whether cats or dogs are the better pets, for example. But we’d also discuss more difficult questions, ones without a single completely correct answer. You’d have to think critically, find logical loopholes. 

IMS: So that kind of logical, analytical thinking has always been consistent throughout your life. 

EL: Yes, it has. In that sense, IMS was very helpful. I was a boarding student in eighth and ninth grade. I learned quickly that you have to have your priorities straight, have your schedules in order. Planning becomes your second instinct. Before IMS, I was always at home with my parents, so this was my first time living by myself. It taught me how to live independently. It’s funny, because when I went to the military, it was easy to get used to the routine because organization and self-sufficiency was so important at IMS. 

IMS: Is there a memory or tradition that has stayed with you from your time at IMS?  

EL: I loved Mountain Day, especially the water slides down the hill. Or playing soccer. I was on the boys varsity team, and I loved going to the Eaglebrook tournament with my friends. On weekends, the dorms would be closed and we would be encouraged to spend time outside. I would play tennis or lacrosse all Saturday and Sunday. Looking back, those weekends were such rare opportunities to spend full days with your friends. I’m grateful for them. 

IMS: Do you have any advice for a recent IMS alum? 

EL: Speak with alumni and people who have done what you want to do. You might think that people won’t care about someone they don’t know, but so many are actually very eager to help younger generations. I’ve already begun my career, but I’m still reaching out to those who are older or more established than I am, trying to learn from their experience. I’ve also recently returned to Korea, where I’m trying to begin a Korean alumni association and foster a connected IMS alumni community. I encourage all the new graduates and alumni to actively participate in these communities!