[Report] "Finding My Future"... Bustling Crowd at the Gwangyang Bay Area Career and Academic Fair

Career Maps Divided by Pink, Blue, Green, and Orange
Universities, Jobs, and Mentoring... The Changed Gaze of 3,000 Students

"I often felt overwhelmed when thinking about going to college. I wanted to attend a good university, but I was very worried because I didn't know how. However, through this fair, I realized that there are a variety of academic departments in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, and that there are many ways to pursue a career even without attending university."

On July 10, at Seonghwang Sports Center in Gwangyang, Jeonnam, the '2025 Gwangyang Bay Area Career and Academic Fair' was bustling with middle and high school students from early in the morning. A high school student standing at the entrance, unable to hide her excitement despite a nervous expression, opened the door and stepped inside.

The scene that unfolded upon entering was as vibrant as a small city. More than 60 booths, divided by pink, blue, green, orange, and sky blue colors, filled the space. Inside, students navigated between booths, exploring their own career paths.

Female students visiting the '2025 Gwangyang Bay Area Career and Academic Fair' are making keyrings at an experience booth. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

The first thing that caught the eye was the blue-decorated 'Career Map Zone.' At the college admission experience booth, high school students were lined up. One student, listening to the counselor's explanation, nodded repeatedly and said, "I've never heard of this department before. I think it might suit me," with a hopeful expression, as if picking up pieces of hope.

In another area, career and aptitude assessments using AI were underway. After completing the assessment, students sat face-to-face with a counseling mentor for one-on-one practical admissions advice. In the 'Study Method Coaching Zone,' where student mentors from major universities such as Seoul National University and KAIST participated, active counseling sessions were held for students. Thanks to the mentors, who not only provided explanations but also shared their actual study methods and stories of failure, the atmosphere was a mix of laughter and seriousness.

The 'K-Beauty Special Exhibition,' distinguished by pink, had a noticeably different atmosphere. It was a space for hands-on job experiences, where students could try makeup, hair styling, and skincare for themselves. Some students carefully applied BB cream, while others curled their hair with beauty tools, examining their reflections in the mirror. The students, absorbed in the experience, looked almost like professionals. "I didn't know the Department of Beauty Studies was so focused on practical training. It's more fun than I expected," one female student said with a smile after finishing her experience.

A male high school freshman is receiving instruction on firearm usage in front of the Military Science Department booth at Chosun University. Photo by Lee Junkyung

This fair was not solely focused on college admissions. In the green zone, career counseling connected to industries in the Gwangyang Bay Area was actively taking place. Institutions and companies representing the region, such as Gwangyang City Youth Jobs, POSCO, Gwangyang Fire Station, and Jeonnam Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, sat down directly with students to offer career advice.

Next to the booths, at the admissions counseling booth, 13 universities from the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions?including Chonnam National University, Gwangju National University of Education, Mokpo National University, Suncheon National University, Chosun University, Cheongam College, and Chodang University?participated to explain the characteristics of each department and their admissions guidelines. Students' eyes sparkled even more at the introduction of unique majors such as 'Webtoon Animation' at Suncheon Jeil College, 'Sports Studies' at Dongshin University, and 'Aquatic Life Medicine' at Mokpo National University.

Groups of students wearing matching shirts were seen discussing, "Would this department suit me?" with each other, showing a process of transforming college from an object of fear into a subject for exploration.

There were also other notable visitors at the venue: officials from the Wando Education Welfare Research Association, who had come from Wando in Jeonnam. Comprising county council members, educators, and welfare officials from the Wando area, they visited the fair as part of a benchmarking trip.

Choi Jungwook, a member of the Wando County Council, and officials from the Education Welfare Research Association visiting the exhibition hall are receiving explanations from the responsible scholarship officer. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

They expressed the need to establish a platform that would provide practical support for career planning for students in the Wando area, and conveyed their intention to apply ideas gained from this fair to local education. A research association official said, "I got the idea of holding such a comprehensive fair in Wando. The cooperation between the Gwangyang Office of Education and the local government, as well as the connection between universities and industries, left a strong impression."

For students who once felt that career paths were still far away, this fair delivered the message that the future can be found closer than expected. Many students interviewed at the venue agreed, saying, "I feel a little less anxious now."

Kim Yeoseon, Superintendent of Gwangyang Office of Education, said, "This year, Gwangyang has been designated as a special education development zone," and added, "We are striving to nurture local talent by providing career and academic information that connects middle schools, high schools, universities, and industries." She emphasized, "We will continue to provide customized counseling and hands-on opportunities for Gwangyang students in cooperation with the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education."

After the two-day fair ended, the expressions on the students' faces as they left the venue were noticeably different from when they first entered. While some had yet to decide on their path, at the very least, the starting line where they stood had become much clearer.