Korean Job Discussion Forums

Keepongoing · Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Location: Korea

I have known a few ESL teachers from other professions. When I first came here I worked with a teacher who was an American lawyer and claimed to have made over $100,000 a year for an American law firm in Hong Kong. She said she grew tired of the long-hours and stress and elected to teach in a hagwon in Korea.

Also, I know a licensed electrical engineer from Canada who works in ESL here.

Who do you know?

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:38 pm Post subject:

I was the editor of the local newspaper, responsible for everything except the ads in a 32-36 page weekly, with a staff of three reporters and several correspondents and pulling in a good salary (after taxes, rent, vehicle and cell phone expenses the take home was far from impressive), one of the respected public figures in town.

But to be excellent I felt compelled to put in 70-90 hours a week and how many years of doing that can one sustain with ambitions of marriage, family, travel and book writing?

I have met an engineer here as well as retired doctor and a firefighter. And plenty of people with more interesting backgrounds.

ESeufert · Joined: 27 Dec 2006

I quit my job at an investment bank and am moving to Seoul in March to teach. I would have made over $100,000 this year.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

People are realizing slaving for the almighty dollar (or quid, etc.) isn't all it's cracked up to be. I'd rather look back on my life and have a moderate income and have seen the world than to be rich and have worked in an office every day.

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

A lot of people have and could make much more money back home, no doubt about it. There is more to life than money obviously.

Go to a Korean Language school and you'll see not just 21 year old students, but people from all walks of life, some of them who have made a lot of money in various fields. Is learning Korean a sure fire key to making millions? No! Is it an extremely fun, addiction and passion for some? Yes!

Money doesn't always have to be the motivating factor for everything. But if you are passionate and extremely good at what you do, it's possible to make money from nearly anything I guess, including teaching English.

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

I quit my job as assistant manager at an.....adult entertainment store to come here. Seriously!

periwinkle · Joined: 08 Feb 2003

saeemon · Joined: 16 Jan 2007

I had a good job with the largest Insurance Company in Canada before I came here, sometimes it gets old and you need a change.

MissSeoul · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere in America

People sometimes want to change their career 180 degree, usually this happen when they are boring or tired.
My first job in America was cosmetic sales lady ( for Clinique Cosmetic ) at major department store, had to put make-up and had to wear uniform and not just sale, but had to demonstrate how to make-up...etc. Pay was so so.

Then I worked at bank for a while, now I am doing something else.
Currently job pay very well, great relationship with co-workers, but I am begining to boring again.

I've also volunted for Red Cross, I've volunted 1000 hours at local hospital ( My story was on local newspaper ).

jmbran11 · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: U.S.

I graduated from law school and was intending to work in corporate law, but I hated it. So, I came here for a year to think about what I really did want to practice and have decided to stay another year. Plus, my husband and I will be able to save around $30,000 (U.S.) in 18 months. When you consider the tax rate, the free housing, and the lower cost of living than my former locale (San Francisco), we do better in real money terms and I'm home every day before 6. Plus, I really love (enjoy) my job. It's fun and challenging and fairly low stress. I get the memories of living abroad for two years before I "settle down" into small-town America again. All in all, a pretty good deal I think.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I quit my job as a career student of 9+ years making US$13,500 / year as a teaching assistant. Bottom that!

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:24 pm Post subject:

I also met an ex-Israeli military officer. She said she had no problem handling Korean kids and I believed her.

PimpofKorea · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:33 pm Post subject:

I had the nicest whooah house in town. I was well respected among my pimp colleagues....winning "Pimp of the Quarter" a few times. I also placed high in the running for "Pimp of the Millenium." Alas, I threw it all away to have little asian kids stick their hands in my anal passage on a daily basis. But like the other posters said....its all about the adventure...life's more important than slappin ho's and collecting dough.

Otus · Joined: 09 Feb 2006

Don't want to lead this post in a deviant direction but how many people do you know working here who have completely reinvented their entire pre - Korea ESL lives?

I've worked with ex CIA agents, celebrity lawyers, prolific publishers and (previously) professional sports people.

For each of the groups listed above I've known at least one individual for which their entire background was 100% fiction. Yet, they would incessantly proclaim remarkable detail of their imagined accomplishments to students, administrations, and co-workers.

How on earth do these people ever get back to reality again?

Believe half of what you see and nothing of what you hear.