Should go to a college?(1)

How successfully students of 6 Special High Schools and Meister High Schools get a job

Generally speaking, Asian countries have shown highest college entrance rate in the world. 3 major economies in Northeast Asia, South Korea, Japan and China have been in the front line of this 'college fever'. It is South Korea which boasts of the record-breaking entrance rate in the region. Believe it or not, more than 80% of high school graduates in South Korea was reported to directly advance to colleges back in 2005-2010.

Against this background, over the next 2 postings, I'd like to touch upon the intention why I decided to have my first book published. Titled 'Should go to a college?', this e-book has been acclaimed one of the early works on the issue in the South Korean society. 

    

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Back in spring in 2009, I was still a journalist. I had a dinner with professionals from an IT solution firm which has built online shopping malls for special high schools in South Korea. Discussions and chats related to a special high school named ‘Bubsung High School’ were brought upon to these folks. It is located in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do where it brags about the largest production of dried yellow corvinas in South Korea. Teachers and students of Bubsung High School, via an online shopping mall called ‘Bubsungmall’, sold dried yellow corvinas and other local products nationwide.

The fact that this online shopping mall launched less than a year ago has monthly revenue of 10 million Korean Won(around 9,000USD) could be a surprising news to anybody. In other words, it was such great source that could quench thirst of curious journalists  who’s been longing for something unique to write. My first visit to Bubsung High School turned out to be a great anecdote. When I paid a second visit to the school 8 months later, Bubsungmall even reached revenue of 100 million Korean Won(around 90,000USD) per annum.

Bubsung High School’s story is something more than a good news. I was obligated that the public has a right to appreciate this trivial, but meaningful success story. In fact, the story imminently showcased a negative impact from South Korean hakbulism(academic cliquism) which resulted in discrimination and alienation against graduates of special high schools and fierce competition in resume management to college graduates, I believe. After my article was released, South Korean media professionals rushed to Bubsung High School to cover them into their own and even Japanese business start-ups came to South Korea to benchmark the school. My story’s sudden fame brought me a great confidence as well.