Learning Job Skills

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These days, a college diploma doesn't guarantee employment. This may explain why specialized schools and majors with bright job prospects are gaining popularity. More students are choosing majors where they can learn special skills and expertise.

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These students who are training to become flight attendants are high school seniors. They have already applied to a junior college to major in airline operations through a rolling admission policy. In order to realize their dreams, the students believed that it's better to learn practical aviation skills rather than entering a better known college.

[Soundbite] Kim Song-ee(High School Senior) : "It was rather difficult to try it in a real-life setting. I want to learn more in college to become a skilled attendant."

This student studying architectural interior design was admitted into a regular university but he purposely applied for a junior college which offered a major that directly relates to employment prospects.

[Soundbite] Sin Dong-seok(Architectural Interior Design Major) : "I was admitted into all four-year universities but I opted for a two-year college because I want to land a job immediately after completing a practical college education."

Some high school students who are aiming for beauty-related college majors such as aesthetics and makeup also take classes in advance for training.

[Soundbite] Jang Seo-hee(2nd Grade, High School Student) : "It's so fun and I'm happy to enjoy these opportunities with friends who share my interest in beautician jobs."

Similar trends are found in college rolling admissions where getting into the aviation department was the most competitive at a 20 to 1 ratio, followed by nursing majors at 13 to 1, and beautician majors, 6.8 to 1.

[Soundbite] Hwang Bo-eun(Korean Council for University College Education) : "Korean society was centered on one's academic background, the school you graduated from. But now it's fast turning into a society that values ability. Students should apply for majors that can substantively help realize their dreams."

Even for corporate recruitment, a national standardized system on vocational competence is being
incorporated instead of only considering the applicants' academic backgrounds. These moves are expected to further boost the popularity of school majors that directly relate to job opportunities.