In the System of Guidance Professors, professors talk with students about their studies, careers, and many other things and help students to find their roles in society. However, is the system keeping pace with the increasing student population and the diversification of students? Let’s investigate the System of Guidance Professors.

●The present condition of guidance professors

In our university, each college’s dean allots students to professors according to the number of professors and students. Freshmen are allotted temporary professors, and they are allotted guidance professors after they choose their majors.

●Problems and solutions

First, in our university, an atmosphere where students can visit professors is not promoted. Many students don’t know who their guidance professor is and when to visit their professor. As such, they usually visit familiar professors. To solve this problem, professors contact students through many means like SMS, e-mail, and meeting them in their class.

Second, professors can’t talk with students often because they are so busy. Professors have a lot of work, so they spend a lot of time on their work. Also, because of the number of students in each major, it is difficult for professors to find time to meet all their allotted students.

Third, professors are not experts on student consultation. Choi Sun-mi (freshman, Dept. of Spanish & Latin American Studies) said, “Guidance professors know their majors very well, but they may not know other fields. Professors may not have expert knowledge about career counseling and private consultation. So we need expert advisers for students.” Kim Yong-il (professor, Department of Philosophy) said, “Professors have basic knowledge about consultation, and they study skills for consultation in the Center for Counseling & Student Services. Also our university has the Student Career Support Center, so students can get advice from expert advisers.”

●Other universities’ systems

Other universities have guidance professors. Yonsei University has a system of student guidance professors. In the system, each college has professors who are in charge of student consultation and give expert advice. Through this system, students get a lot of information on, for example, choosing classes, making timetables, and getting employment.

Daegu University has a system of permanent guidance professors. A professor who is allotted a freshman keeps on helping him or her until graduation. Jo Seung-hyun (Student Support Team in Daegu University) said, “This system ensures consistency in student guidance, and professor have responsibility for student guidance.”

The System of Guidance Professors needs improvement to become active. However, professors and students must change first of all. It may be more important that professors approach students and students feel their professors are friendly.