Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kiwiduncan]

I'm hoping to work at a university again from May 2008, but it seems that universities are getting stricter about applicants having MAs.

I was fortunate enough to work at Soongsil University in Seoul for a couple of years, when the management was more interested in past teaching experience and seeing a good teaching demonstration than seeing if I had an MA. But Soongsil too now seems to have an MA minimum.

In the opinion of informed and experienced university teachers across Korea, what are my chances of lining up a decent position with the following experience and qualifications?

First Class BA Hons in Anthropology, Otago University, Dunedin, NZ.
CELTA Certification, Regent Language School, Oxford, UK
1 year university tutoring experience, Otago University
3 Year's adult hagwon experience, Korea
2 1/2 year's teaching, Soongsil University (freshmen, electives and public classes)
1 year of teaching at various Oxford private schools, including IELTS teaching
Intermediate level Korean speaker
31 year old New Zealand/British guy with no tattoos

I don't particularly want to work in Seoul again. A nice university in the countryside would be nice.

Any opinions?

Cheers,

Duncan

[Homer]

You could land a University job in one of the second tier universties with those credentials.

A university in the country side (more akin to a Community College) would also be a fair choice.

Good luck.

[Demophobe]

I think you have a pretty strong resume, but I'm not sure if its going to make up for an MA. There are a lot of MAs out there now...it's getting to be the minimum for uni jobs.

[tzechuk]

Those in the countryside will be less strict with their requirements. Most actually say that they will consider candidates without a master but with a lot of experience. I would think that your experience is definitely up there.

May be try Jeju!

[kiwiduncan]

Thanks for the straight-forward comments guys. It's just as well that I'm hoping to get a position in some quiet countryside place - being on campus in the middle of nowhere has a lot of appeal in fact

The irony of studying for an MA is that it would really cut into class prep time and Korean study time. All those hours of reading, researching and writing that go into an MA which might be only read by a handful of supervisors, could surely be better used preparing loads of new materials for class. On the other hand, I guess it does show some commitment to teaching, and I understand lots of teachers have used their students as subjects. Hmmm, maybe a thesis on how using Korean in class can actually help the students.

Cheers,

Duncan

[articulate_ink]

[makemischief]

If you do want to aim for Seoul there are (as Homer mentioned) still a number of second and third tier schools that hire without MA�s (I know as I have friends who have gotten jobs at such schools in the last year). I don�t know all of of them of course (and as you probably know a good interview can get you in even without the MA at some schools that claim to mandate it), but send me a PM if you want the names of 2 or 3.

Cheers.

[kiwiduncan]

Thanks for the further advice. Seoul is still pretty low on the list however - it's time to see some new places.

I also don't really care about where the universities rank in the eyes of Koreans. The most important thing is just having a decent language centre to work in.

In New Zealand there is very little snobbery about which university you studied at, but it always amazes me how reticent Koreans can be when asked where they studied.

Cheers,

Duncan

[bobo_bt]

When do the uni jobs come available? I finish in Nov/Dec then will go home for a little while, but want to come back, preferrably to a uni job - not necessarily in Seoul

[makemischief]

[kiwiduncan]

Really? Jobs starting as early as the new year? Thanks for the info. I was under the impression that most uni jobs started from early March. At least that was the case with Soongsil.

Cheers,

Duncan

[bobo_bt]

Where is the best place to check for vacancies for uni jobs? This website??

[PRagic]

You can easily find a list of Korea universities on the web. Find ones in a location you like, and go directly to their web pages. Most universities will list available positions, or you could simply e-mail them.

If you already haven't, I'd suggest leading your CV with your experience as your education is a bit light for competitive schools. Another thing you could do is stress that you will be beginning an on-line MA program (whether or not you intend to).

It's also good to prepare some of the inane write-ups that some universities request (e.g. 'teaching philosopy' or 'How you can help Koreans learn English'). In Korea, bulk rules the day; the more letters and documentation you have ready to fire off, the better off you are.

Good luck to you.

[Optimus Prime]

Just to let you know how "professional" Universities are in Korea, I was offered a contract by simply submitting my photo.

And it was a "Top 10" University in Busan. I would name it, but I don't want to get sued or something. Anyway, I submitted my docs via email, but the docs got garbled or something. The lady called, asked if I had a moment (I was busy actually, but had a few seconds), she goes on to do a full-on phone interview with me. She then tells me after the interview that she liked my photo, I was so handsome, and whether I was single? She did ask me the typical interview questions, don't get me wrong. But then she asks me, "Can you send you resume, we cannot open your documents from our email, only your photo." I say sure, I'll send it to your other email tomorrow. She then asks when I can come and start teaching. Then I said, "You mean you want me to start now?" She says, "Sure, I can tell by your photo and phone interview you are good teacher."

I didn't take it, I decided I want to be in Seoul since I submitted the docs, but man, that seemed rather unprofessional from a supposed "Top" Uni.

So I think if you're good looking, or at least attractive in your photo, and the person doing the hiring is Korean, your degree whether MA or BA means bupkis.

[Homer]

Sorry for your experience there Optimus.

But, what you describe is far from common when it comes to Universities hiring......

Your degree means a lot as does your experience when you consider quality University positions (not Unigown positions)....