The popular slogan, "Choose and Concentrate," is a useful instruction for our times.  Of course, if you happen to be doing a job-friendly major, for example, an education, medical or fine art degree, finding a job might not be too difficult.  However, if your major is less specialized, you might wonder how you will ever find a job.

   Kim Hyun-woo offers us his experience.  "I applied", he said "to several companies such as Sam Sung, LG, Han Hwa,  and SK.  As you know, Korea's economic situation is very bad.  So, as a way of making myself more marketable, I decided it was best not to concentrate on one field only.  One of my friends only prepared for a finance company examination; but last year, companies in that field suffered severe economic recession.  Consequently, those companies now offer few employment opportunities."  Therefore, if your targeted field has shrunk, it is better to expand your job horizons.

    "After I was discharged from the military, I realized that I did not have anything to write on my resume," he said.  "So I started to think about what I should do."  In 2006, he went to Canada as an exchange student under the auspices of the University of British Columbia (UBC) Global Academics Program at DU. Since students are able to gain credits from foreign universities, it is a very useful way to spend one? time.  While he stayed in Canada, he studied English along with his own Business major.  In Canada, he met many foreign people while working as a grocery store assistant and volunteer.  These experiences made him mentally stronger and more confident.  He explained: "If you want to go abroad, search DU's web-site carefully.  On it you can find some well-organized programs."  The employment assistance center at DU has plenty of information on recruitment, too.  He added that he went to the center so regularly that the officers in the center began to recognize him.  In 2008, he also had the useful job experience at "KT" as an intern.  He said: "The "KT" internship helped me when I finally applied to the company.? Although his TOEIC score wasn't that good, his application was still successful. How about this graduation grade?  He answered: "I got a score of just over 3.70. which is quite ironic because, as you know, the usual way of getting a good job is possible by attaining the highest grades."

   He was chosen by three companies.  These were GS Retail, Nongshim, and KT.  His methodology was sharp.  Before sending off the application forms, he collected information on each company.  He said, "You should learn as much as you can about the company before applying.  Such information helps you in an interview."  He said also that he made a useful suggestion when interviewed at Nongshim.  The employers were pleased so soon after he was offered a job.  Naturally, employers do not like people who know nothing about their companies.  So, if you want to join a company, you should do the research. 

   Many students are very worried about finding works.  But if you prepare step by step, there is a good chance that you will find work.  He cautioned, "I have a friend who reacted too negatively to an initial disappointment.  He was discouraged too easily by a bad result.  It is not a good attitude.  I think students must remain confident."

   The lesson for us is clear: we should show commitment and widen our job options.  The privilege of youth is that we can experiment.  In order to achieve our goals, we should be flexible in our thinking.  When we graduate from university and work at a company, we will be faced with many challenges.  So think seriously about what you want to do and try not to worry too much.

   And one final word from Kim Hyun-woo: "If you want to ask some questions about employment, please feel free to e-mail me." (bbangy3k@naver.com)

                                                                                           By Kim Tae-hyang, Post Reporter

Kim Tae-hyang, Post Reporter  kimtaehyang@dongguk.edu

<저작권자 © 동국포스트, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>