Most students in Korea seem to rely on their academic records at high school in deciding which college to apply to. However, I don't think the academic record takes significant effect on their own life. The academic career - though many people think it's important - never guarantees success in life. The real success depends on rich experiences they get during their college life, not the academic career.
I was in US during my adulthood(i.e. the late 20s to the early 30s), living in the Family Housing at university. Married student couples aiming at acquiring master's or doctorate degree lived in the same hall. Some students were Korean. Not all those Koreans had great academic backgrounds. Many were graduates from local universities which were not located in Seoul. In many cases, students from a place other than Seoul were inclined to study harder than those from universities in Seoul and to acquire their desired degree in a shorter time.
Do you know why? It's because they did not waste their time on meaningless activities. And they had a clear goal, they knew exactly why they were there, and they studied with sincerity. Their will was so strong because they knew their handicap in Korea much better than students from Seoul.
I often hear CEOs say that there is no competent person to employ. on the other hand, workers complain that there is no attractive workplace. Such a word as "life-time employment" has become a past reality. And, you will know, the competent person that I mean, is not an unprepared person who has just graduated from the good reputation university.
Nowadays, most companies are looking for in potential employees with spirit of adventure, potential, leadership, confidence, spirit of challenge and resolution. once I saw a scene on TV in which many people were standing in line all night to register an institute that helps prepare for the public official admission exam.
Why do young people want to be public officials? one reason is that, they think, it guarantees more stable life to work for a public organization. That's true. If a person will pass the admission exam, he or she will have less worry about early retirement. Of course, I'm not advising against being a public official. But, the part I can't understand is why so many young people want to be public officials. Youth must have spirit of challenge and adventure, in my opinion. That is the Youth.
So, let me give you, college students, some advice as follows;
First, watch the world curiously and make a habit of challenging and adventuring.
When you are young, you look so wonderful even in torn jeans. It's a great time to experience something, because you have enough time and passion. Be an energetic youth. Don't act like an old person. Fall in love with passion and study hard. And travel the world to your heart's content. If you fear going on the trip alone, make it with your good friends. You'll be awakened to new world that you've never imagined and get a chance to think about yourself deeply through the traveling. Be a person with warm heart, not cold brain only. You have love and courage. Don't forget the fact that only a challenging person will get a better chance than others.
Second, be the only one not the best one.
You are living in an era of Personal Brand. To get Personal Brand, You have to be the only one, not the best one. Personal Brand means, in short, to find your merits or advantages, and publicize it effectively. You can make your Personal Brand by just finding out in which areas you can be expert and confident that you also like, and make them brands of yourself. Let the people know your talent, ability or whatever else you think excellent about yourself. This is the way you exist in the world. If you don't any competitive power, you can't say that you are alive. Don't be the first, but be the only one. That is the key word of this 21th century.
Third, try to have varied experiences in your vacation.
Participate in a tournament of stock investment or advertisement, or make a homepage of yourself, instead of browsing like TOEIC books in your vacation. Do a part-time job in a field that you want. It's very important for you to experience it. How much you get in money means nothing. And make relationships with experts in that field. It'll be useful to select your own job someday.
Last, gain confidence through reading many kinds of books.
Not only textbooks, but various books will make your knowledge wide and deep. Get knowledge about your works as much as you can. Gain deep knowledge and big confidence. Such a confidence makes you positive, and positive attitude connects with success directly. Most of employment experts say that nothing is more important than confidence.