A Study on the Roles and Operational Strategies of Career Guidance Teachers in the Jeonbuk Region

This study aims to analyze the current status and effectiveness of career guidance teacher placements in middle and high schools across the Jeonbuk region and to propose operational strategies tailored to local characteristics. The research focuses on three main questions: (1) differences in career education practices based on the presence or absence of dedicated career teachers, (2) variations in developmental needs between middle and high school levels, and (3) identification of locally relevant implementation strategies. Using data from the Ministry of Education’s 2023 National Career Education Survey, this study extracted and analyzed responses specific to Jeonbuk. Surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted with 48 teachers (32 with placements, 16 without), 761 students (548 with, 213 without), and 350 parents (260 with, 90 without). Additionally, policy documents such as the 2024–2025 Jeonbuk Career Education Plan and regional statistics were reviewed. The analysis revealed statistically significant differences across several indicators depending on whether a career guidance teacher was placed. Schools with dedicated teachers showed higher utilization of career psychology assessments, more frequent implementation of the "Career and Occupations" curriculum, increased career exploration activities, and greater parental engagement programs. In contrast, schools without dedicated teachers faced constraints such as limited counseling time due to administrative duties and reduced program diversity. Developmentally, middle school students expressed a greater need for self-understanding and career exploration support, while high school students required more assistance with academic planning and concrete goal setting. Unlike nationwide or metropolitan-focused studies, this research highlights the unique educational context of Jeonbuk—characterized by a high proportion of rural schools, small-sized institutions, and distinctive industrial structures. The findings provide valuable insights for designing regional policies, including the expansion of Jeonbuk-specific career teacher placements, enhancement of administrative support staff, development of professional training systems, and establishment of a digital-based career information platform.