These days most college students are anxious about landing a job. After graduation, students face the harsh reality of the already congested job market. Given that prospects for employment continue to remain bleak, how should Korean students prepare for their future? To get a cross-cultural perspective on the issue, I surveyed American students’ opinions about employment.
"Studying" is the easiest thing
In the position of a student, it is hard to acknowledge the fact that studying is the easiest thing one can do. Some say that studying in and of itself is actually a great obstacle to students who live as slaves of GPA (grade point average). However, many American students seemed to think differently. When asked what it°Øs like to study with competent students of varying ethnic backgrounds, many replied that they don’t mind the competitive academic atmosphere, and said that studying is not a difficult task. Comparatively speaking, one can argue that American students study in a more challenging environment, as they have to compete with not only students of the same nationality but also foreign students from various backgrounds. Despite these seeming drawbacks, James (26, graduate student) said that staying devoted to studying is the only way to emulate other students who seem like geniuses from the moment they were born.
Everyone wants to get a good job that pays well. In order to better prepare oneself in today’s tough job market, it is recommended that job hopefuls consider improving their education. According to my interviewees, many American students are motivated to continue their studies at the graduate level, primarily because they believe that having a master’s degree or above will guarantee a much higher salary, and not because they are really motivated to study more. Alex (22, college student) said that many companies are willing to give higher rates of pay to those candidates who have higher educational degrees, which is why many students go on to graduate school. While it’s a good thing that students are working hard to improve their academic qualifications, on the other hand, it is regrettable that their motives revolve around financial gain, rather than passion for learning.
Hands-on experience in the real world is of utmost importance
Before leaving school, students should set specific goals and start their job search. While searching for a position is a lot of work in itself, the more they prepare, the more likely they will land a job after college. Finding an internship can be a good starting point. Through internships, students acquire first-hand knowledge and work experience by testing and applying the theories learned in the classroom. In many cases, students consider an internship to test out the waters°to see if the job suits their future career goals.
Employers seek qualified applicants who have the knowledge and experience required to succeed in the position. Most American students thought that an internship is a very important part of any college experience. Through an internship, students gain not only valuable professional experience, but also learn the skills for effective networking. Many interviewees said that it’s all about networking with people in the industry from early on in their careers. Building relationships with insiders in the industry means that a student will have a network of people who can guide him/her in the job search process. In addition to having strong academic achievements as well as relevant work experience, getting referrals and recommendations from trusted sources can help one’s job application stand out from the crowd.

Job seekers should go for their desired jobs
When it comes to work, people want to take up desired jobs that pay well and suit their talents and interests. In reality, it is hard to get a job that satisfies these two conditions. If so, what is the American students’ choice between a desired job and a mere substitute? The majority of students we met through the interview said that they want to get a job that will allow them to do things that they are interested in and are passionate about, rather than going for the simply available job. In a nutshell, my opinion is that if students strive to do what they love most in life, their talent and passion will be recognized in the long run, allowing them to build a successful career.

sek9348@hanmail.net