Hyundai puts focus on science, engineering grads

College graduates who majored in engineering and natural sciences are likely to benefit during Hyundai Motor’s recruitment drive this year.

Science and engineering graduates who apply to work at the nation’s leading automaker during the first half of this year are only required to submit transcripts for these subjects, stressing their importance to the company.

The rule also applies to graduates with double majors if one is in engineering or the natural sciences.

The company said it decided to carry out the new system in response to the government’s plan to foster more competitive talent in the fields of engineering and the natural sciences, which many students tend to avoid as they are usually considered more difficult than other subjects.

“Subjects such as electronic engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science are more difficult than other majors like liberal arts,” said a spokesman of Hyundai Motor. “We provided the new system as we wanted students in science and engineering majors to focus more on their major subjects.”

The company also said the new system could help reduce the number of students with two majors who attend colleges for more than six to seven years in order to gain an edge over others applicants.

Hyundai Motor posted details of the move on its Facebook page on Friday.

Previously, students studying engineering and science tended to take on a double major in business and economics in order to get a better chance at finding a job at major conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor.

However, Hyundai Motor said it will maintain its old system for candidates who are applying to non-science related job sectors such as public relations. The applicants will be required to submit all their transcripts whether he or she is a graduate with a double major or not.

The company also said it will not ask students who graduated from a college overseas to submit English test scores. It will instead check the English-speaking abilities of those candidates in person.

Candidates will have a one-on-one interview in English with a Hyundai Motor official and will also be asked to give a presentation on a subject assigned by the company in English. They will be expected to have a 20- to 30-minute debate in groups of five or six.

BY KIM YOUNG-MIN AND KWON SANG-SOO [kwon.sangsoo@joongang.co.kr]