lee OO, a graduate   ● Transferred to the Department of Science Studies, Jeonbuk National University in 2021 / Graduated in 2023   ● Jeonbuk Technopark "Don’t be afraid to take on challenges.  Even if you fail, keep going and try again without giving up."

0. Please briefly introduce yourself

Hello, I am Lee OO from the class of 2019. I came from another university and transferred into the Department of Science Studies as a junior in 2021. So, although my student ID is from 2019, I entered the science department in 2021. After employment, I worked about one year and four months at the Jeonbuk Economic and Trade Promotion Agency, affiliated with Jeonbuk Special Autonomous Province. Recently, I transferred to Jeonbuk Technopark, also under the province, where I am actively working for the development of the local economy and the growth of companies in the province.

 

1. Do you have any memorable department activities?

 

Participated in the Science Studies content club: Since I entered the school as a junior during 2021, when COVID-19 was rampant, I worried whether I would graduate quietly without special memories. However, in 2021, our department joined the Big Data Innovation Convergence University project and a big data content production club was newly established. I joined and through planning and producing content with juniors, I naturally became closer to classmates and juniors. The various activities, experiences, and memories with juniors remain my most memorable part. Without joining the club, I would never have had these experiences. Thanks to the club, I maintain smooth relationships with juniors even after graduation. (Love the juniors who take good care of me♥)

 

2. Do you have any memories with professors?

 

In my last semester as a senior, I worked as an undergraduate research assistant in a project related to training science communicators. I remember Professor Eun-Kyung Lee was the principal investigator. The professor and researchers were very considerate and attentive to me as an undergraduate. I am truly grateful to them. Participating in that research project was a great opportunity to gain pre-professional experience.

 

3. Why did you choose your current (or previous) career? Please share the motivation and your selection criteria with juniors.

 

Before entering our department in 2021, I had no clear idea of what I wanted to do and was overwhelmed thinking about the future. I would casually ponder “What will I do after graduation?” In 2021, a new course called “Major Career Design” was introduced, requiring career counseling as a graduation requirement. I reluctantly undertook counseling, which became the biggest catalyst for me to start preparing for employment. The counselor told me how prepared other students were and made me aware of reality. I felt if I delayed further, it would be serious. From then on, whenever I had free time, I went to the career support office at the central library and started researching.

I broadly classified jobs into private companies, public enterprises, and government jobs and thought about which suited me best. I decided to pursue a stable public enterprise job with balanced work-life, and neither very high nor very low salary. I then researched the requirements and began preparing seriously from the first and second semesters of my junior year. I recommend you think about your character and future plans and decide which field to prepare for.

 

6. Free message to juniors:

 

Many students meet “Science Studies” for the first time when entering this department and may wonder if their major subjects will help them. You don’t need to worry about that. Even if there is no direct benefit, all the experiences gained through studying, researching, and presenting will become invaluable. My various experiences and activities during major subjects greatly helped me when preparing for employment and living in society.

Please attend all subjects diligently and do your best.

 

I too enjoyed college drinking with friends, traveling, and having fun. Leisure is important, but I hope you set your goals—your what-you-want-to-do—as early as possible (I know it’s hard. I set mine late). Your goal doesn’t have to be a specific company or institution. Once you have some goal, you will make efforts to achieve it, and through steady efforts, you will find what you want to do. For example, if you aim to join a particular institution, check their job postings for the current or last year; you can find what certificates give extra points during screening and what subjects are on the written exam. This will give you a clear picture of what to prepare now.

 

Now, you are ready. Prepare what is needed and take on challenges.

Don’t be afraid to challenge. Even if you fail, don’t give up and try again to move forward.

 

9. Finally, what does “Science Studies” mean to you in a few words?

To me, science studies is a discipline that helps understand the essential nature of science, science and technology, and policy, and educates experts who make science easy and enjoyable for the public through popularization.