Mayah Park
Mayah Park is a Master of Science student at Columbia University in New York, where she specializes in communications and media studies with a strong focus on marketing, design, and strategic storytelling. She brings a multidisciplinary mindset shaped by both technical and creative interests, blending aeronautical science, visual communication, and brand strategy. Her work reflects a balance of logic and innovation, informed by a deep appreciation for the arts, including literature, poetry, jazz, and blues, which contributes to her empathetic and thoughtful approach to collaboration and design.
Her academic and professional foundation began in aviation, where she earned her private pilot license and studied aeronautical science at Green River College before advancing her studies at Columbia. During this time, she founded “Girls in Aviation,” the first female aviation club at her school, growing it into a community of around 40 members through grassroots outreach. She also gained hands-on industry experience working as an aircraft fueler at Rainier Flight Service and contributed graphic design and communications work to the Professional Asian Pilots Association, strengthening her ability to merge technical environments with creative communication.
Currently, Mayah serves as a Marketing Communications Intern at the Career Design Lab - Columbia University School of Professional Studies, where she supports student engagement initiatives, event planning, and visual communications. Her work includes designing promotional materials, analyzing engagement patterns, and helping develop innovative programs such as a student badge system that recognizes co-curricular achievements. She is also active in campus organizations including Columbia University Formula Racing and other interdisciplinary student groups, consistently seeking environments where she can contribute, learn, and collaborate while advancing her interests in marketing, design, and community-building.
• Private Pilot License
• Green River College - BASc
• National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP)
• Yerba Madre
• Columbia University Formula Racing (CUFR)
• Columbia University Robotics Club (CURC)
• New York Women in Communications (NYWICI)
• Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA)
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
• Girls in Aviation
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success primarily to my mother, who raised me through a difficult period after my parents’ divorce and showed me resilience, independence, and strength as a single parent. My stepfather has also been influential, encouraging me to pursue higher academic goals and believe in opportunities I hadn’t previously considered, including aiming for an Ivy League education. From him, I learned the value of discipline and consistency—always being the first to arrive and the last to leave—which has shaped my strong work ethic and commitment to seeing things through without giving up.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is definitely from my dad - well, my stepdad, though I refer to him as my dad. He always emphasizes really hard work. Back in Korea, he started a company where he taught people English, and then he just scaled it from there, and it got actually really big. His advice to me was to always be the first one in and the last one out. I've kind of carried that mindset with me for everything I do. Like, I don't think I've ever quit anything halfway, and that's something that I'm very proud of.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering this industry to stay curious and continuously expand their knowledge. Being well-informed about news, politics, art, and pop culture is essential, as these areas directly influence and shape work in communications. Because the field is fast-paced and constantly evolving, staying current is critical—falling behind can be a significant disadvantage. I would encourage reading widely, staying engaged with current events, and maintaining an active interest in what is happening in the world, as this awareness is foundational to success in the industry.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is artificial intelligence. While it can improve efficiency, there’s a growing concern that over-reliance on AI is weakening the development of foundational skills and the quality of work, with some outputs becoming more “input-driven” than thoughtfully crafted. At the same time, the reduction of entry-level roles is limiting opportunities for professionals to build core experience, which could create a future skills gap if companies later need talent that understands the fundamentals beyond AI-assisted work.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are empathy, mentorship, and collaboration. These principles were central to a student organization I helped build in undergrad, Girls in Aviation, where I intentionally established them as core pillars. I also place a strong emphasis on kindness and treating people with genuine respect and humanity. I’ve often noticed that simple kindness can feel unexpected to others, which is something I find concerning, but I also believe that consistently leading with empathy can positively influence how others treat one another and help create a more supportive environment overall.