If you're reading this, you've likely faced the challenge of finding a part-time job as an international student in South Korea. With its blend of cultural richness and technological advancements, South Korea has become a top study destination for many international students. However, most students come from developing countries and often need to balance work and studies to cover their expenses. Unfortunately, this can lead to some students engaging in illegal work, which could jeopardize their future dreams.
In this post, I want to share my internship journey with one of South Korea’s leading biotech companies—BIONEER. During my bachelor’s degree, I worked various part-time jobs, many of which required physical effort and offered limited opportunities for career growth. Determined to change my path, I focused on maintaining high grades, knowing that top companies in Korea tend to seek out the best-performing students. I dreamed of working at a global company where I could gain real-world business experience and valuable skills for my future.
To make this dream a reality, I immersed myself in extracurricular activities and attended every job fair I could, including one hosted by my university, SolBridge International School of Business. This job fair was a golden opportunity, with over 30 companies from industries like travel, biotech, IT, and fashion. Despite the high competition, I managed to land interviews with seven companies, where I had the rare chance to speak directly with HR and sales leaders. These interviews gave me a taste of the real-world hiring process, which can be elusive in today's digital-first job market.
Out of these interviews, I was fortunate to be invited to a second-round interview with BIONEER Corporation, South Korea’s pioneering biotech company. I visited their headquarters, where I was interviewed by a panel of five key figures from sales, HR, and strategy teams. They asked me about my knowledge of their business, my language skills, how I could contribute to their global expansion, and where I saw myself in the next 5-10 years.
After a month of anticipation, I received the thrilling news: I had been selected for an internship in BIONEER’s overseas sales department. The message I want to share with all international students is this: No matter your nationality, language skills, age, gender, or university, always keep applying and striving for better opportunities. Many students hesitate to apply to Korean companies due to language barriers, nationality, or even age, but I was only a third-year student who didn’t speak Korean fluently, and yet, I made the most of every chance I had. Truthfully, working in a company feels far more rewarding than typical part-time jobs in Korea. You can earn decent money, gain experience in a global environment, and work in a professional setting. It’s not just about earning money, but about building a future that aligns with your career goals.
