36 Percent of Science & Engineering Students Have Studied for “Professional Board Exam”

About 4 of the 10 students, majoring in science and engineering at Seoul National, Korea, and Yonsei Universities, have studied various kinds of professional board examinations during their schooling and have regretted for their majors.

It is the result of a telephone survey on 217 seniors, who are enrolling at the Mechanical Engineering and Physics Departments of those three universities. It was conducted by the Dong-A Ilbo from March 6th to 21st.

Among the 217 respondents, 78 students (36 percent) have the experience of studying for various kinds of professional board exams, such as bar exam, patent attorney, and CPA.

The 78 students` reasons for the preparation of the exams were the `job security` (25), the `unclear future of the science and engineering fields` (23), and the `social respect and success` (18).

Responding to a question that `Have you ever regretted your major?`, 83 students (38 percent) answered `Yes.`

The reasons for their regret were because of the `unstable future after graduation` (32) and the `social trend of disregarding the science and engineering factors` (22).

Regarding a question that `If you restart your college study, which major would you choose?`, only 121 students (56 percent) said that they will choose the same majors. It represents that half of the students are not satisfied with their majors.

About the reasons for the current crisis of the science and engineering majors, such as the decrease of applicants, 84 students indicated the unfair social treatment compare to their studying, and 76 students mentioned the social trend of disregarding the engineers.

Dong-Yong Min mindy@donga.com