Shim grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii where she attended Kamehameha Kapalama High School and helped the soccer team to three ILH championships. In 2007, the team won the state championship. Shim also played for the club soccer team, Ho'okalakupua. In 2003 and 2005, the team was Region IV Finalists. In 2004, 2006, and 2007, the team was Region IV semi-finalists. In 2008, they won gold at the Surf Cup U19 Championship.
Shim attended Santa Clara University from 2009 to 2012 where she was a three-year starting midfielder for the Broncos. As a freshman in 2009, she played in 20 of the squad's 23 matches. She finished the year with 21 shots, including seven during the Broncos' three NCAA Tournament matches. During her second year, Shim played in all 22 games, one of only four Broncos to do so, starting 18 matches for a total of 1,660 minutes played. She scored one goal and added three assists for five points and was named an All-West Coast Conference honorable mention. As a junior in 2011, she started all 21 games and tallied 12 points on four goals and four assists. She was named to the All-WCC Second-Team.
Shim signed with the Portland Thorns as a discovery player for the inaugural season of the National Women's Soccer League. She made her debut for the team during a match against the Washington Spirit on May 4, 2013. She scored her first professional goal on June 16, 2013 at Jeld-Wen Field in a match against Seattle Reign FC. After receiving a through ball from teammate Angie Kerr near the penalty spot, Shim finished with a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper. She also served her first assist during the match after stealing the ball off a bad pass and passing it to forward Danielle Foxhoven, who was making a run into the left side of the penalty box. She was the Thorns' lone scorer in a 1–1 draw with the Western New York Flash on July 14, 2013 which began a scoring streak in which she scored a goal in four consecutive matches. In 2015, Shim went on loan to Japanese football teamIga Kunoichi FC but did not appear in a domestic match.
In 2017, Shim signed with Swedish side Växjö DFF of the Elitettan. She appeared in two matches as Växjö earned promotion to the 2018 Damallsvenskan.
Houston Dash
Shim returned to the NWSL in 2018, signing with the Dash.
International
Shim has represented the United States at the U-23 level. She played in both matches for the U-23 team during the Three Nations Tournament in June 2012 and helped the United States win the competition. On June 19, 2012 she started and played 90 minutes in a friendly against Norway.
Personal life
Shim publicly came out as a lesbian on August 30, 2013 in an interview with Outsports, the day before the Portland Thorns FC entered the National Women's Soccer League Championship. Shim was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
