Youngsoon Kang, Ph.D. Student Policy, Organization, Measurement, and Evaluation Major: B.A., Public Administration / M.A., Education, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea Career Plans: Resuming my career in educational administration Home: Seoul, Korea

"Make arrangements, in advance, with schools or agencies in your home country where you may want to collect data for your research."

My background:
Before coming to Berkeley, I worked for more than 10 years at the Ministry of Education and its affiliated agencies in Seoul, Korea. My main interest is in improving vocational education in Korea. Vocational education there, especially in secondary school, is in a crisis because it is no longer meeting the needs of students, many of whom now want to gain access to college.

What I like most about my program:
I am learning how to approach educational issues in a more comprehensive, logical, and in-depth way. In addition, since most of the students in the program come from teaching backgrounds while mine is administrative, this has provided me with numerous opportunities to learn more about educational interests and concerns that I had not considered before. The comparative emphasis of the program between countries has also enabled me to expand my understanding of issues.

My current research:
I am examining the economic and non-economic benefits that individuals receive from schooling throughout their lives. My research will also seek to examine whether the experiences in the labor market of vocational students and academic students differ and, if so, in what ways.

My advice to prospective international students:
To make your stay here more productive and cost-efficient, have a clear-cut vision about what you want to accomplish and how to reach it. One way to do this is by making arrangements, in advance, with schools or agencies in your home country where you may want to collect data for your research. Also, since international students inevitably encounter more challenges than other students, be prepared to persevere so you will complete your studies successfully.

My impressions of the Bay Area:
The weather is so temperate here that sometimes I feel I am living in a paradise. I also love the informality of the area and not having to be so concerned about the clothes I wear or my appearance, things that matter more back home.

 

 

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