A Need for Comprehensive Career Guidelines in Korean Higher Education: The Practice among two Faculties

The changing nature of South Korean higher education is shifting from generalized education in the direction of more specific preparation for finding a job. The Korean government has developed policies to advance more of a career orientation while universities have moved to respond to demands by industry with new requirements (mandatory TOEIC score) and certifications (ABEEK) on the one hand, and to the needs of students with new career and job placement centers and initiatives. However, there are no comprehensive national guidelines for career education, so the question remains as to what extent a career orientation has been infused in Korean higher education. This study uses a set of career development guidelines, based on those used in several English-speaking nations, to inquire as to the extent that career concerns are being addressed. Interviews were conducted at two different universities, with the faculty of two departments using English for instruction, to determine their awareness of and attention to the issues raised by the guidelines. The results suggest some ad hoc attempts to address the career development, but that a more systematic emphasis is needed to address the needs of students.