2 in 3 Workers Want to Get Higher Degree

By Jane Han Staff Reporter Jang Min-tae's master's degree in management stood out in his office up until a few years ago. But not anymore, as an influx of new colleagues with all kinds of higher degrees from overseas, start to steal his spotlight. Feeling stripped of his competitive edge, the 35-year-old, who works for a foreign industrial company, is now considering new options to regain his advantage. ``On the surface level, my company does not discriminate against workers based on their education level," said Jang, ``but without a doubt, a higher and better degree opens up more doors within the organization." Although he has no plans to pursue another degree, the junior-level professional is looking into earning certifications related to his career. ``I can't just stay at a standstill," said Jang, who regrets today's cutthroat competition that pushes him and others to keep going nonstop. The same kind of pressure is what pushed another junior-level professional, Cho Jung-eun, to quit her job recently to enroll in a Master's Degree of Business Administration (MBA) program in the United States. She admits that she isn't clear about her post-MBA plans, but decided to take an expensive leap because ``everyone seems to be doing so." ``Getting a master's degree is no longer an option," said the 31-year-old, who considers going to graduate school just as mainstream as going to college. And Cho isn't completely wrong, as more and more working men and women are siding with the emerging notion that a higher degree is a necessity. A survey conducted by the online recruitment site Job Korea showed Wednesday that two out of three professionals are currently unsatisfied with their education level. It asked 1,557 salaried workers whether they were happy with their degree. Sixty-seven percent said they weren't content, while 33 percent said they were. The No. 1 reason people were dissatisfied was because they found it difficult to make a career change without a higher degree. Others said a lack of professional knowledge in their field and disadvantage in promotion was the most convincing factor to study more. More than half of the respondents said they are considering going to school again, indicating that the current trend for higher education is encouraging more people to leave work. Hiring experts said those contemplating pursuing further studies should take action as early as possible. ``A growing number of companies are putting aside openings specifically for master's and doctoral graduates," said Ki Eun-joo, a headhunter who mainly recruits for medium-sized firms. She said that graduate schools are no longer for overachievers, adding that professionals should plan ahead to remain competitive in the long run. jhan@koreatimes.co.kr