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[Interview with a Civil Service Entrance Examination Successful Candidate] Passed Within a Year of E
2018.10.12 Views 2706 경영대학
[Interview with a Civil Service Entrance Examination Successful Candidate]
Passed Within a Year of Exam Preparation - Kyung-Bae Lee (Business ‘13)
Passed Within a Year of Exam Preparation - Kyung-Bae Lee (Business ‘13)
Q. Please introduce yourself.
Hello, I am Kyung-Bae Lee from Business Administration entering class of 2013. I passed the 2018 5th ranking Civil Service Entrance Examination, finance and economy division. I am currently taking a leave of absence and will return in the spring semester of 2019.
Q. What made you prepare for the Civil Service Entrance Examination?
I was thinking of a career that I can contribute to society and improve my skills at the same time. I saw the Public Service Fair posted on the SNS and that’s when I made up my mind to prepare for the exam.
In fact, I had a lot of concerns during the exam preparation. I was worried that even if I passed the exam, I don’t know which department I will be assigned to. But after a consultation with Professor Soo Young Kwon, I was sure that it is what I would like to do. Professor Kwon advised me that if I passed the exam, I will involve in policymaking that can actually contribute to the society. He also told me that it will be a career that I can learn a lot.
Q. What is the secret of your successful result within a year?
It’s not much of a secret, but I tried not to forget three things: learn as much as you can from lectures at the university, set up a specific action plan, and make a routine for studying. First of all, I tried to make the most of lectures at the university, that are relevant to the Civil Service Entrance Examination. From 2013 to 2017, I took 19 to 21 credits, and the results were pretty good especially in business economics, organizational behavior, management mathematics, international business, and introductory statistics. These courses were related to courses I took the exam on – public administration, economics, financial affairs, statistics. I strongly recommend take lectures at the university which will shorten the duration of your exam preparation.
Another thing that helped me a lot was to make a detailed plan. Most around me started the exam preparation way sooner than I did, which was a pressure for me. So I set up a detailed plan of ‘One-year master plan-monthly study plan-weekly study plan’. The one-year master plan includes the list of books I was supposed to read before the exam, and monthly study plan includes the list of lectures I must complete, followed by weekly study plan of what I should study each day. So every time I procrastinate, I checked how much I had done out of the things I was supposed to complete. That way I was able to motivate myself again.
Moreover, making a routine of studying improved the efficiency of studying. I tried to stick to 8 to 10 studying at the library (8 AM to 10 PM). In fact, it was very challenging that often I had to study on Sundays as well. But I was able to make myself used to the studying routine on Sundays.
Q. Was there any activities or classes at the university that particularly helped your exam preparation?
If you're hesitant to start the exam preparation, I strongly recommend going talk to your academic advisor. KUBS provides frequent social events with professors, so it is easy for you to reach them.
Like I mentioned earlier, courses at KUBS such as business economics, organizational behavior, management mathematics, international business, and introductory statistics helped me a lot. In addition, I was able to build a basic accounting background by microeconomics and monetary finance.
More importantly, exam preparation at ‘Takmajung’ at KUBS helped me tremendously. At Takmajung, we not only study together but we also share feedback on answers we wrote. It is a great way of studying because you get to learn from a broader perspective. We also shared useful exam information or tips, so that we can make better performance on the exam.
Q. What was the most challenging part of the exam preparation?
It was the uncertainty of the exam result and pessimistic thoughts. For a while, I was pretty down. I was overwhelmed by exam preparation and I was in a bad mood. Whenever I got pessimistic, I called the day off early like 9 PM and took a rest for the next day. As regards other stress management, when I felt guilty after procrastinating for a long time (using mobile phone etc.) I went outside and met people to refresh myself.
Q. Could you share your future plan?
We haven't quite decided yet but I will definitely return to university next year for my final year at university. So in the meantime I would like to take classes and travel. After graduating from the university, I will then enter the training institute. I don’t know which department I will be working at, but my goal is to be a public official who improves welfare facilities in Korea.
Q. Could you give us last words of advice to KUBS students who study for Civil Service Entrance Examination?
‘Steadiness’ is the best weapon. Once I made up my mind to study for the exam, it was hard for me to go to the library, giving up the opportunity cost of it. But looking back, I was able to pass the exam because I tried to control myself to make a steady progress. I will enter the National Human Resources Development Institute in 2020, so I imagine I will study with some of the MY KUBS readers. Good luck to you, I look forward to seeing you there!