An autoethnography about the working experience of a new professor at a local national university's non-major department in the university innovation process

Objectives This study is about the experience of a professor who started working as a new professor in the Department of Liberal Study at a local national university and was appointed as a new professor in the process of establishing and operating the department according to the university innovation promoted by the Ministry of Education and the university's own innovation process. Methods We explored the process of being selected and appointed as a professor in the newly established Department of Liberal Study at a local national university located in Region J. While working as a new professor in the department, which is directly related to university innovation, I sought to express in-depth my experience in adjusting admissions units, establishing new educational units, consultation processes with university members, and operating new curricula. For this purpose, the autoethnography research method, which is a research method for one's own culture, was applied. Results By conducting this study, the following five research topics were derived. ｢① Universities’ hot potato ‘Department of Liberal Study’｣, ｢② New professors at the Department of Liberal Study who lack even the basics｣, ｢③ Establishment of new educational units facing various obstacles｣, ｢④ Survival and growth, and the life of a professor moving forward with reflection｣, ｢⑤ Department of Liberal Study moving to the forefront of change and innovation｣ Conclusions Based on these research results, we described the difficulties and adaptation problems of new professors in Department of Liberal study in relation to the non-major admission system. And We discussed ways to advance toward growth and reflection in the university innovation process, which is directly related to the sustainability and survival of the department. This study is significant in that it is the first study to reveal the work experience of a new professor in the Department of Liberal Study, and suggested follow-up research in terms of research subjects and research methods.