Gwangju Employers Federation and Chosun University Conduct "Job Perception Survey"
Nearly Half Cite Lack of Jobs Relevant to Their Majors
The primary factor preventing university students in Gwangju from settling in the region has been identified as the lack of quality jobs.
According to the results of a "Job Perception Survey" conducted by the Gwangju Employers Federation and the Chosun University Career Strategy Team, which commissioned research firm Wise Choice Co., Ltd. to survey 307 current Chosun University students and local youth, students in Gwangju showed a very high willingness to work for local companies if quality jobs were available in the region. However, the perception that there are not enough jobs relevant to their majors was found to be the most significant reason preventing young people from settling in the area.
When asked, "Would you be willing to work for a local company if there were job opportunities in Gwangju?" 73.9% of respondents answered positively (44.0% said "very willing," and 30.0% said "willing").
This demonstrates that local youth have a strong desire to remain in the region if conditions allow, rather than unconditionally seeking opportunities in the Seoul metropolitan area.
Preferred work locations were closely contested between the Seoul metropolitan area (41.7%) and Gwangju (40.4%) within the margin of error. When including Jeonnam (11.1%), the proportion of those wishing to work within the region (Gwangju and Jeonnam) reached a majority at 51.5%. This surpasses the preference for the metropolitan area (41.7%), strongly suggesting that if the quality of local jobs improves, the outflow of young people can be sufficiently prevented.
However, despite the high willingness to work, the reality was stark. In response to the question, "Are there enough jobs in Gwangju that match your major?" negative responses (38.4%) far exceeded positive ones (27.7%).
In particular, nearly half (46.6%) cited the "lack of jobs related to their major" as the biggest reason for avoiding local employment. This figure is significantly higher than "low salary levels" (18.9%) or "lack of company recognition" (17.3%), revealing that the absence of positions where they can apply their major and develop their careers is the core reason for the job mismatch, rather than a simple wage gap.
As for the type of education universities should strengthen to promote youth employment in the region, "fieldwork-oriented practical education" (43.0%) ranked overwhelmingly first. This was followed by "company-customized projects" (21.5%) and "training in the latest technologies (AI, smart manufacturing)" (17.9%), indicating that students strongly desire to enhance practical skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace, rather than classroom-based theoretical education.
In this regard, Chosun University Career and Student Affairs Director Cho Yoonseong stated, "This survey proves with data that our students are not vaguely trying to leave the region, but are struggling because there are no jobs they want to do even though they wish to stay. We will boldly incorporate fieldwork-oriented practical education and company-customized projects into the curriculum, as these are what students need most."
Yang Jinseok, President of the Gwangju Employers Federation, emphasized, "Now that the voices of young people have been heard, we will take the lead in reducing the job market mismatch in the region by providing companies with information on the positions young people want and proposing practical talent development curricula to universities."
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