Venting My poor academic background & My hopeless future

[Blue Rose]

I graduated in Philosophy and Literature in 2015, and I attended a small local university.

So maybe someone will say that... Hey! Anyway you are a graduate, but why are you venting on this forum?
Then, before starting to vent, I think I should explain the culture of education of my country, South Korea.

1. In South Korea, there are so many graduates. Maybe there are too many graduates in my land.
According to an article of Veritas Alpha, In 2020, the college enrollment rates of SK was 72.5%. You did not misread that.

Yes, It had been always high or very high. First, it is easy to found an university or college in SK.
Of course then, anyone could enter any university. So while some professors were instructing their students in advanced study,
Some professors Ought To instruct their students in basic English, middle school level Math, etc. You did not misread them.
Even though most Koreans(Especially in twenties' and thirties') are graduates and well-educated people, the truth is the truth.

2. South Korea had its dynamic history. Until about 1970's, South Korea was one of the poorest countries.
Then, Boom!, SK underwent a drastic economic growth(The miracle of Han-river)!
But even now, people of SK have their intense complex in their mind! It is a kind of obsession.
Some of them consider their country as a weak or unknown country. Even, some of them consider their country as a cursed country.

So they started to crave to be well-educated people, and many parents projected their desire onto their children.
All high school graduates were discriminated severely, then all parents thought... Oh I must make my children enroll to any college and university!

And ta-da! Welcome to another discrimination! And in this life~ The rich always wins^^


It was a so long explanation, but now, you will be able to understand my vent well.

As I said In the first paragraph, I attended a small local university. I was satisfied with my university so.
Naturally I am not so greedy person, so I am indifferent to high wages, good career, and any kind of success in my society even now.
But, the price was horrible. I could not find any regular jobs in my country.
For refusing any kind of competitions or to fight against my competitors, I was guaranteed my miserable whole life and future.
For refusing to harm other for my bread and success, I was guaranteed my poor whole life and future.

Even my simple and tiny wishes could not be come true in my country.
Just what I had wanted was the work place without any swearing, risk of death or being disabled, insult and severe fatigue.
And I can live on with only 1000$ a month. I had not wanted many things, my wishes were simple and tiny.
But Even my simple and tiny wishes could not be come true in my country.

I am a failure, a burden to my family and society, a humble and surplus person.
If I fail again, surely I will be starved to death for my poverty and freeze myself in the deepest point of a mountain.

 

[Greenberg]

Try not to let society shape your destiny. Believe in yourself, resolve your insecurities, and move forward with determination.

 

[GenesAndEnvironment]

Philosophy and literature seem like tough fields to get hired in, especially if you're suicidally depressed. Have you considered getting a more practical education?

 

[Blue Rose]

Try not to let society shape your destiny. Believe in yourself, resolve your insecurities, and move forward with determination.

There is a proverb in SK. Your failure is Your fatality. But I believe that there are some ways still. Thanks.

Philosophy and literature seem like tough fields to get hired in, especially if you're suicidally depressed. Have you considered getting a more practical education?

I had thought, but I would not like to exploit my parents anymore. And, they must prepare their late-years for now.
Most of vocational training in South Korea are not good, sometimes there is a risk of being abused by instructor.

But I am finding my new job consistently, I wish it would be better soon.

 

[GenesAndEnvironment]

I had thought, but I would not like to exploit my parents anymore. And, they must prepare their late-years for now.
Most of vocational training in South Korea are not good, sometimes there is a risk of being abused by instructor.

But I am finding my new job consistently, I wish it would be better soon.

Alright, best of luck to you. I'm sure your parents would rather have an exploitative kid than a dead one, but I guess it doesn't matter if the vocational training is bad over there.

 

[◄✵火✵〇°Ø•WÅR•Ī°〇✵火✵►]

Op, I think you are very admirable for doing what you wanted to do even if society is against it. I want to tell you that you should think more about yourself and your well-being first. You didn't choose to be born (or did you? I don't know... I think, only you know.). So, you shouldn't carry the burden of caring for others that are not your responsibility, unless you want to, this is up to you. But, I think it will only make you suffer more, on top of your already existing heavy pain. Anyway, I hope you find what you're looking for. Good luck!

Edit: Just to clarify. To those who are reading and thinking of abusing this. This isn't a free-pass for anyone to hurt, trample on, take advantage of or violate innocent beings. What you choose to do with the hand you were dealt, is your sole responsibility.

 

[clueless2dayor2morro]

thanks for sharing the background info about your country and for venting. its very fascinating but also very sad. i'm feeling kind of similarly, even though i'm in the west. lots of research positions and otherwise want additional graduate studies.

what are the qualifications for being a primary education teacher? over here, the qualifications are only that you need a bachelor's and i think maybe a teaching certificate to be a real teacher--but even with only a bachelor's there's even less qualifications to be a substitute teacher. and while they don't make lawyer money, i think it makes a livable wage. (ok, let me backpedal bc even over here some teachers have to work part time at a shop. i remember seeing an article about some oklahoma teachers having to do that bc of school funding cuts lol)

i think you could probably make a fair bit being a korean language or culture teacher to westerners too, even if there is a small language barrier. i'm almost done with my degree in liberal arts (i know its not really the same as your philosophy and literature degree, but it's what my prospects are currently--especially since i don't plan on doing any graduate work).

I feel you could capitalize on your english and korean knowledge. I feel degrees like literature and philosophy are underrated! But its hard to put into words to an employer what transferable skills you have because they're skills we take for granted.

"Just what I had wanted was the work place without any swearing, risk of death or being disabled, insult and severe fatigue."
I second you on this one. I had to leave working in warehouses several times--even though the pay was way better than fastfood and similar min. wage jobs. But, the heavy lifting takes a large toll on my knees and back--even with a two day recovery. The managers could sometimes be a little rude and have an attitude. And the machines can be dangerous sometimes. I always went to a temp agency to see if they had any desk jobs but that's so rare around where i am. =_=

either way!! please don't think i'm being dismissive! it sounds like there are unfair expectations and a very competitive job market in your country. i don't think you are a failure for not wanting to step on other people's toes to get a decent paying job. i sometimes observe that over here, people feeling the need to put down others in order to get the jobs they want. its really unfortunate. but at the end of the day, whatever works for them i guess?

idk, i hope you won't let people's expectations get to you and overwhelm you! success can be many ways and i feel it should look differently for many people. and especially with a literature and philosophy degree, the job market isn't necessarily stable even when you do break into a new job. :(

 

[us_1999]

Hey, I also graduated in Philosophy in 2015... China.
I tried to pursue a Master degree, but dropped out because of a depression outburst which made me unable to write.
But luckily with the help of some friends I found a way to earn my bread.. now I work as a freelance translator (English to Chinese). New media is developing fast here and lots of articles need to be translated, perhaps it's similar in SK? You might try to look for some translating job. It seems that your English is good enough for this (better than mine..). And you might look for platforms that post articles from philosophy/literature field-- not so many people are professional in this field.
They usually don't pay much, and the job is not very stable. But it's possible to survive on it if you live frugally. And the good side is you can work at home, no need to socialise!