Chung Lee, Marketing & Accounting ’02
- Program and Grad Year: BS Class of 2002
- Company: New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Taxation
Chung Lee (’02), a Marketing and Accounting graduate of Rutgers School of Business–Camden, returned to campus this spring to share his inspiring professional journey with students in Professor George’s Introduction to Business course. Now serving as a Conferee with the Conferee & Appeals Branch at the New Jersey Division of Taxation within the Department of the Treasury, Lee captivated a room full of mostly first-year students during an 8 a.m. class session with his candid reflections on perseverance, leadership, and lifelong learning.
Lee began the class with an interactive networking exercise, encouraging students to introduce themselves to one another and practice public speaking by presenting their partner’s strengths, goals, and interests to the class. The activity reflected one of the central themes of his visit: the importance of building connections and learning how to communicate confidently.
Immigrating to the United States with his family at age 10, Lee shared how his father instilled in him the value of hard work early on. He worked in a factory to help pay for college while attending Rutgers–Camden, an experience that taught him resilience and determination. During his time at RSBC, Lee became deeply involved on campus, running for president of the Marketing Association three times before finally winning the position in his senior year. Through the organization, he gained invaluable opportunities to interact with Fortune 500 CEOs and business leaders — experiences that shaped both his professional aspirations and leadership style.
Lee also emphasized the importance of building relationships with professors and mentors, recalling advice from faculty members that still guides him today, including the lesson that “everything is negotiable.”
After graduating in 2002, Lee faced a difficult job market, submitting more than 150 applications before landing his first role selling computers over the phone. He later worked overnight shifts at a hotel in Atlantic City, experiences he described as humbling but formative. With support from the Rutgers–Camden Career Center, Lee eventually secured interviews with both the New Jersey Division of Taxation and a pharmaceutical company. Faced with a choice between stability and high earning potential, he chose public service — a decision that ultimately led to a rewarding 23-year career with the state.
Today, Lee serves as the first Asian American Conferee in the state of New Jersey. Along the way, he continued investing in his education, returning to Rutgers–Camden to earn additional accounting credits for career advancement and later completing a Master of Public Administration degree.
Throughout the discussion, students asked thoughtful questions about balancing career and family, overcoming challenges, and defining professional success. Lee encouraged them to stay organized, stay connected, and stay hungry to learn — advice grounded in his own journey of persistence and growth.
Lee also reflected on the strong Rutgers–Camden network within the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, noting that many of his colleagues and leaders are fellow Rutgers alumni. During his visit, he reconnected with faculty and administrators, including Dean Monica Adya, Associate Dean Schiro Withanachchi, Professor George, and Professor Sungsoo Kim.
His visit served as a powerful reminder to students that success is rarely linear, but perseverance, relationships, and a willingness to keep learning can open unexpected doors.