Working in an office as a secretary, especially in Korea, is not easy. For a woman who has any self-respect, it is a terrible experience. Unfortunately, Korea continues to be a generally male-dominated society, and women do not have the opportunities or legal protection that exist in other countries. Women have to put up with discrimination because the alternative if often to not work at all.
        A few women manage to get reasonably well paid and responsible jobs in entertainment, the medical field, pharmacy, teaching, and (more rarely) industry.  However, these women are the exception. Even in these jobs a successful woman is often pushed to quit work after marriage. For most women, regardless of their major and abilities, they will probably work for a man for much less pay after they graduate from college for little pay. In the case of a secretary, typical Korean businessmen think of them as servants.
        I can illustrate this difference of treatment for men and women with an example. A man who graduates from a four-year college with a degree in English will usually join a company as a manager trainee. He will eventually have the opportunity to be a leader in the company. A woman with the same degree will almost certainly join the company as a secretary. What foreigners must try to understand is that Korea is not like America, Canada and European countries. Korean society puts pressure on a woman to become a typical Korean wife and mother. The idea of women working and being independent is a new idea.
        After I graduated from junior college, the only job available to me was to work as a secretary of a branch of a large Korean company. I hoped that the company would use my talents, knowledge and ability. For example, I am a good English speaker and can operate a computer. If I were a man, I believe my ability would have been used in a positive way. Anybody would be able to do my job. Is this why I studied so hard to speak English well? Is this why I learned to operate a computer? Is this why I am continuing my education for a four-year degree? I don't think so. What I want is the same opportunity that a Korean man with the same qualifications would have. Frankly, I did not have even one positive experience at this job.
        When I started that job, I hoped that I would work with successful female role models, but I was disappointed that there were no women managers in the company. All of the women working in that office were secretaries. Much of my time was wasted making coffee and running errands. I also typed, answered the phone, and arranged the manager's schedule, but nothing I did used my ability to think. Moreover, I worked from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and sometimes was required to work until 9:00 p.m. I received no compensation for these extra hours. I want a job where I can fulfill my potential, use my ability, and be respected as a human being. What I learned from this experience is that women are not treated equally in Korean society. This must change.
        In the future, there should be new laws to guarantee equal opportunity and pay for women. Men will have to change their attitude about women. They will have to consider women to be human beings and not inferior.  I think the working atmosphere must change too. Husbands, companies, and fellow employees should not pressure a woman to quit work if she gets married. The typical housewife must also change her attitude. She must not accept the idea of staying home and giving up her potential. If women can unite to try to work toward changing the society, someday the society will change. Although it is foolish to think this will happen quickly, some progress has been made in recent years.