Why are Korean students afraid to graduate?
KOREA NOW
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Video Summary
South Korean university students are increasingly delaying graduation, transforming a traditional milestone into a source of anxiety. The nation's challenging job market has left many feeling unprepared for life after college, opting to extend their studies rather than face unemployment.
Yerim, a 24-year-old political science student, embodies this trend. Despite preparing for her future by studying English, seeking internships, and building her resume, she still feels uncertain about her prospects. Her experience highlights the widespread fear of entering a job market where over half a million young graduates remain unemployed for extended periods, making the prospect of graduation a daunting step rather than a celebratory end.
Short Highlights
- Delayed Graduation Becomes the Norm: South Korean students are increasingly postponing college graduation due to difficulties in securing employment after completing their studies.
- Job Market Anxiety: The primary driver for delaying graduation is the fear of entering a highly competitive and uncertain job market, with many students feeling unprepared for life after college.
- Extended Student Life: This trend means that college graduation is no longer seen as a definitive end to student life but rather a step many students are hesitant to take, preferring to remain in school longer.
- High Youth Unemployment: Statistics reveal a significant number of young graduates remain unemployed for over a year, underscoring the severity of the job market challenges.
- Student Experiences: Individual students, like Yerim, are actively engaged in preparing for their future through internships and skill development, yet still face profound uncertainty about their career prospects.
Key Details
The Shift in Graduation Norms [0:00]
- College graduation, once a symbol of excitement and hope, is now a source of anxiety for many South Korean students.
- The increasing difficulty of finding jobs post-college has led students to question the traditional timeline for graduation.
"Graduating on time was once the norm in South Korea, but as finding a job after college becomes increasingly difficult, many students no longer feel ready to leave school behind."
Yerim's Preparation for an Uncertain Future [0:36]
- Yerim, a 24-year-old political science student, exemplifies the trend of delaying graduation.
- She spends her days studying English, searching for jobs and internships, and working on her resume to enhance her marketability.
"My name is Park Yerim. I was born in 2003 and I was 24 years old. I was born in a Korean language school and I was studying political science."
The Struggle for Internships and Experience [1:11]
- Despite extensive efforts, Yerim expresses a lack of confidence in her readiness for the job market.
- Securing internships and gaining relevant experience is a significant challenge, with many students competing for limited opportunities.
"Actually, I've been working for an internship for 20 years, but it's all gone. I think everyone is really working for an internship."
Widespread Fear of the Job Market [1:43]
- Yerim's concerns are shared by many students across South Korea, who are postponing graduation due to the tough job market.
- Over 565,000 young graduates are unemployed for over a year, representing a substantial portion of all graduates.
"Across South Korea, more students are choosing to postpone graduation as they struggle to navigate one of the toughest job markets in years."
