Checking attendance in the Career Design for Employment & Entrepreneurship Course on Tuesday, 5PM

Many issues have been raised recently regarding the Career Design for Employment & Entrepreneurship course, operated by the College of Liberal Arts. This is a mandatory, pass/fail subject required for all freshmen, with the exception of those enrolled in the School of Liberal Studies. Students have pointed out several problems related to attendance, course registration, and the overall effectiveness and value of the course.

Attendance Issue

The most prominent issue concerns the attendance policy. Some students reportedly leave class immediately after roll is taken or have someone else attend on their behalf to maintain their attendance record. In response to these actions, instructors have begun to more strictly manage attendance, sometimes calling roll multiple times during a single lecture hour to prevent such practices.

In a recent survey conducted among enrolled students, some raised concerns about this approach. A few reported that the extended class time caused by repeated roll calls disrupted attendance for their following lectures. Others argued that attendance should be treated as a matter of personal rights and freedom of choice.

To address these concerns, The SeoulTech interviewed Seungyoon Lee, Team Leader of the Office of Career Development, and Chungha Jeon, Administrative Officer. Lee suggested that SeoulTech could consider introducing a Bluetooth-based attendance system, which is already in use at several other universities. He also proposed that instructors limit attendance checks to no more than twice per session, based on their discretion and class conditions.

Registration Issue

Although the course was originally intended for second-year students, since Spring 2022, it has been restricted to freshmen. As a result of this policy shift, some students missed the opportunity to take it during their first year. A common perception is that SeoulTech only allows additional enrollment for fourth-year students nearing graduation. However, this solution creates inconvenience for second- and third-year students, and some fourth-year students in certain programs are not permitted to enroll—meaning many must take the course during intensive summer or winter sessions.

Lee and Jeon explained that, after the course was restructured, guidance was provided to upper-year students, and efforts were made to prioritize their registration. Although fourth-year students were given priority, they stated it is inaccurate to claim that second- and third-year students are categorically excluded. They suggested that some of those experiencing registration issues may have overlooked the course after returning from military service and noted that only a small number of students had formally inquired about enrollment.

Another major concern raised by students relates to the overall structure and delivery of the course. In the survey, over 60% of students responded that they did not believe the Career Design for Employment & Entrepreneurship course would be helpful in planning their future career paths. In addition, the most frequently cited issue related to the course content was a perceived lack of depth and substance in the program itself.

Connected to this issue, students have also expressed concerns about the course’s relationship with the Jaematgo program, which is designed to help students develop a “career design roadmap.” The Jaematgo program is closely linked to one of the three major assignments in the Career Design for Employment & Entrepreneurship course.

However, since participation in the program is optional, some students felt that the level of support was insufficient. Many have called for more personalized instruction, including more detailed feedback on assignments and increased opportunities for one-on-one academic or career counseling.

In response, Lee stated that SeoulTech considers the completion of the roadmap itself a meaningful achievement that reflects a student’s personal growth. He added that instructors introduce a website during class where students can voluntarily request additional feedback. He also noted that information about further career-related programs is regularly shared through the Office of Career Development’s official Instagram account, @job_seoultech.

Course Content Issue

Another significant point of concern is that the course is not taught by a single instructor. Instead, each session is delivered by different lecturers. Some students argued that this disrupts the overall flow and cohesion of the course, while others pointed out that certain instructors focus too heavily on certification or broad career exploration, with limited connection to real-world industry expertise.

In response, Lee and Jeon explained that SeoulTech intentionally invites subject-matter experts to lead each class because each session covers different topics. This approach, they emphasized, is intended to expose students to a wide range of professional perspectives and experiences. The Career Design for Employment & Entrepreneurship course continues to receive mixed reviews. Lee noted that the Office of Career Development reviews student evaluations each year to guide future improvements. Meanwhile, many students have expressed a desire for the course to be made available to upper-year students, transitioned to an online or hybrid format, and strengthened in terms of practical content.



Reporters

Seongbeom Hong

hongsb@seoultech.ac.kr

Jaeho Lim

limjaeho4119@seoultech.ac.kr