Should Go to a College?(2)

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

The online shopping mall launched less than a year ago has monthly revenue of 10 million Korean Won could be surprising news to anybody. In other words, it was such a great news source that could quench thirst of curious journalists like me who's been longing for something unique to write. 

My 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 per annum.

Should Go to a College?(1)

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

Back in spring in 2009 I was still a journalist. I had a dinner with professionals from an IT solution firm which built online shopping malls for special high schools in 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 boasts the largest production of dried yellow corvinas in Korea. Teachers and students of Bubsung High School, via online shopping mall called 'Bubsungmall', sold dried yellow corvinas and other local products nationwide.

Should Go to a College?(6)

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

These schools would be especially important to those parents whose kids soon advance to high schools. It is a still long way to go. But from the bottom of my heart, I sincerely hope stories of these schools will surely spread to all over the country. 

In doing so, this book can serve a timely opportunity to have the society slept on the significance of all-pervading academic cliquism-inflation and desirable models of vocational education in Korea.

Should Go to a College?(5)

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

'Bubsung High School(School Enterprise)', 'Seoul Girls' Commercial High School(Personality Education)', 'Suwon High School for Agricultural Science(Customized Education)' and 'Induk Technical High School(Internationalization)' are special high schools where the Korean public should exemplify. 

Expectation on the first graduates of two meister high schools in February of 2013, 'Suwon Hi-tech High School(Industrial-educational collaboration)' and 'Wonju Medical Instruments High School(Differentiation)' is high.

Should Go to a College?(4)

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

My book was born based upon these backgrounds. Since Bubsung High School, I have pondered over how to engage myself in other cases of exemplary special high schools and meister high schools. 5 other high schools were finally selected and introduced to this e-book along with Bubsung High School. 

Foundation principles and goals of these schools are all different. In addition, these 6 schools aren't yet to be called best vocational schools in Korea. However, there's no doubt these schools have enhanced unique education programs to bring up young talented resources. 

Should Go to a College?(3)

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

Bubsung High School's story is something more than 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 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, Korean media professionals rushed to Bubsung High School to cover them into their own and even Japanese business start-ups came to Korea to benchmark the school. My story's sudden fame brought me a great confidence as well.

Should Go to a College?(2)

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

The online shopping mall launched less than a year ago has monthly revenue of 10 million Korean Won could be surprising news to anybody. In other words, it was such a great news source that could quench thirst of curious journalists like me who’s been longing for something unique to write. 

My 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 per annum.

Should Go to a College?(1)

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

Back in spring in 2009 I was still a journalist. I had a dinner with professionals from an IT solution firm which built online shopping malls for special high schools in 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 boasts the largest production of dried yellow corvinas in Korea. Teachers and students of Bubsung High School, via online shopping mall called 'Bubsungmall', sold dried yellow corvinas and other local products nationwide.

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(12)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea

Education, particularly vocational education and a subsequent industry-school collaboration model has been my main area of interest ever since I started to work at Maeil Business Newspaper, Korea's No.1 business daily. 

Succeeding TAFEs in Australia, vocational education system of Germany and Scandinavian countries would be my next target for exploration on this issue.

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(11)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea 

My e-book on the Korean vocational education system, mainly featuring 6 exemplary high schools including Induk Technical Highschool and Seoul Girls' Commercial Highschool was published last June. Titled 'Should Go to a College?', the book has been provoking nationwide sensation so far. Please find the attached cover page and English summary as additional documentary evidence.

Now I'm communicating with a Japanese publishing agency, 'CUON(www.cuon.jp)' to have my e-book published in Japanese language soon.

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(10)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea

If my project is accepted and valued in an extensive way, movement to adopt parts of the outputs into real governmental policies for better vocational education in Korea is expected. 

Both paper book and e-book in Korean will be published within 6 months after completion of the project. Following 'Should Go to a College?' last year, this book would mark the sequence of my intensive research on the issue of the vocational education system in Korea.