▲ Jaeyu Lee, Public Administration

 

In 2022, Jaeyu Lee passed the Administrative Examination. The exam, which enables those who pass to enter high level public service roles, is generally considered to be the toughest, most competitive exam in Korea. Jaeyu is about to graduate and will go to the Graduate School of Public Administration at Seoul National University.

 

Q1. Can you introduce yourself?

A1. Hello, I'm Jaeyu Lee, majoring in Public Administration, class of 2014, and I'm about to earn a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration this summer.

 

Q2. What are you up to these days?

A2. These days, I'm studying English conversation. In the future, I might represent the government as a delegate, and | want to develop my English language skills with this in mind. Also, when traveling, I want to be able to speak English comfortably.

 

Q3. How was your campus life at SeoulTech?

A3. I had the chance to make lots of friends, and I have some very positive memories. As a freshman, I was a student representative of my major, and I went on to become a member of student council in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Both of these roles enabled me to meet and work with a variety of people, which was very rewarding.

 

Q4. What have been some of your most memorable experiences?

A4. In my work on the student council, I had to coordinate with others and solve problems on behalf of students. Successfully. completing those tasks was incredibly satisfying.

 

Q5. What made you decide to take the Administrative Examination?

A5. Since I was in elementary school, I had wanted to become a lawyer, but as time went on, I began to think that I would like to work in public sector, and I decided to focus on taking the Administrative Examination. Perhaps this was because I aspired to be like my grandfather, who was a public servant.

 

Q6. What were some of the challenges you faced in taking the exam?

A6. I'm quite an optimistic person; and overall, I don't think I faced any/major difficulties. However, as I was preparing for the second part of the exam, I found out that I failed the first part. This came as a bit of a shock because I had expected to pass it and had invested more preparation time into the second part. I felt disheartened knowing that, while preparing for the most important exam of my life, I could have avoided this setback by putting a bit more effort into the first part. If I had to choose the hardest challenge, that would be it, especially as it meant I would have to retake the exam a year later.

On the bright side, the outcome was not that bad because I had estimated spending a total of three years on the entire exam, but I managed to complete it sooner, possibly because the setback renewed my focus. I had learned an important lesson and told myself that it would make me less lax in the future. Looking back, it was a valuable experience for me.

 

Q7. What was your biggest support during the exam?

A7. Faith. I am a Christian, and I have faith in God. I listened to the Word of God. I tried to minimize my interpersonal relationships, so I wouldn't get into many conflicts. Naturally,.thismeant I spent a lot of time alone, which allowed me to focus on my studies. I listened to sermons on YouTube and didn't lose track of what I want from life. When difficulties came, I would remember messages from these sermons and use them as a source of motivation. Although I occasionally panicked during the three years, I was able to finish my exam without any major difficulties. My faith was my biggest support.

 

Q8. Can you share how you felt when you passed the exam?

A8. Sure. I had my computer screen connected to the TV. My family and relatives were all with me, waiting for the results, which were to be announced at 6 o'clock. I entered my exam number, and we were all glued to the screen. It took a moment or two, and when I saw the word ‘passed,’ I burst into tears of happiness. With the tears, I also had a massive feeling of gratitude for having passed after so much hard work. Thankfully, my brother was recording everything, so I can look back and cherish that moment when I want to. However, I also felt a bit of pressure and responsibility.

In my mind, I shouldn't take passing this exam lightly because I will be someone with a lot of responsibility in a major government organization. For me, this is not just a job; I regard it as an opportunity to contribute to my country.

 

Q9. Do you have any advice for juniors?

A9. First, have a clear sense of purpose if you can. If you choose a career just because you think it's popular, you won't be motivated enough. Motivation alongside ability is what leads to success. Find what you want to do most and, when you're sure, stick with it. Don't get bored and move on to something else. Take time to make your choice, then immerse yourself in it. Second, focus on the process. God will do the rest. You're the one making the effort, so try to be happy and appreciate the process. If the process is a drag, it's hard to get the result that you want.

 

Q10. Do you have any final thoughts you'd like to share?

A10. It is unfortunate that support is lacking for the students of the Coellge of Humanities & Social Sciences. I felt they were less of a priority compared to other students in our university. I think SeoulTech graduates can be leaders in various fields, including the private sector, public sector, sciences, and so on, so I wish there could be more support for students in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences as it will present a positive image of SeoulTech and bring long-term benefits to it.



 

Reporter,

Seunghoe Koo rokeet@seoultech.ac.kr