Table 4. Cultural paradigm shift: Yonsei graduate case

Attribute (8Es) Deficiencies Culture shift
Education Archived a perceived high level of educational achievement No shift - shift happened after graduation
Experience Unhappy and frustrated with current job experience Found freedom in work
Ego Ego lost in the hierarchy at work Autonomy at an earlier age
Enthusiasm Low enthusiasm for work and life High enthusiasm for work and life
Exposure Negative factors relating to hierarchical and complacent organizational culture Breakaway from stereotypical paths
Endorsement Pressure to secure a stable employment in a reputable organization Parent’s approval to quit the first job and the endorsement to pursue a career path that is fulfilling personal satisfaction
Encouragement Wallpaper installer, not a job encouraged based on educational level Parents and friends were encouraging for the alternative route of career path
En Route Long process to work up the hierarchy in a traditional job Earlier success - book deal, life satisfaction and personal development
Note. Deficiencies are interpretative assertions of the authors based on factual information from Moon (2021). Adapted from “Why did a 20s female SKY university graduate become a wall-paper installer? ,” by Moon et al., 2021. Copyright 2021 by Kyunghyang Newspaper. Reprinted with permission.