Case Studies and Implications of High School-University Collaboration Career Programs: Focusing on Intensive Vacation Courses in the Field of Education

Recently, there has been a growing demand for university–high school collaboration programs that support students’ career exploration, and related initiatives are being implemented across various regions. This study aims to provide implications for similar programs and policies by presenting operational cases of collaborative programs between high schools and universities organized by provincial offices of education and implemented by local universities, and by analyzing students’ satisfaction and experiences. To this end, we examined a case of an intensive break course in the field of education, conducted as part of a career-oriented high school–university collaboration program commissioned by the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education. Students’ satisfaction and experiences were analyzed through surveys and focus group interviews (FGI). The program was designed and implemented as a student-centered model that integrated the understanding of education and educational studies with students’ career development. Results indicated high levels of satisfaction and positive learning experiences. High school–university collaboration programs were found to positively influence students’ career exploration, support their autonomy in subject selection, and contribute to fostering mutual understanding between universities and high schools as well as strengthening connections with local communities. Based on these findings, the study suggests the continuous implementation of career-related collaboration programs and emphasizes the need for their long-term development.