Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bucheon bum]

[rapier]

As far as I'm concerned glowstick girl could be a street sweeper, and she would draw no criticism from me. Whatever job you do, if you do it well and with honour, you are a cut above most people- whatever college they went to or how much money they make.
There'll always be people around to tell you how much better you should be doing, how much more you could and should be earning, and what you should be doing with your prestigious degree.
Everyones journey, and choices in life are entirely their own, and nobody elses business.

[The Lemon]

[helly]

[katydid]

Helly, how long did you live in Boston for? You were the one crowing about finding an Au Bon Pain here earlier, were you not? Lucky devil.
I was there in Boston proper for 5 years before moving on and grew up very close by to it before that.
This fall weather is making me long for a nice long walk through the Back Bay area or in Harvard Square right about now. It must be so gorgeous there.

[helly]

Actually, I was the one fondly remembering my morning coffee (Peet's) pastries, and occasional sandwich and soup from Au Bon Pain. Used to pick it up in Central Square every morning on my way to work and I also was known to frequent the Harvard Square store.

Lived in Boston for about 1 year, one month in the boathouse, the rest in Beacon Hill, which is also a nice place for an autumn stroll.

Didn't like living there (I'm from the West Coast myself) but have to admit that it is a beautiful city.

[katydid]

[kiwioutofthenest]

Cummon Lemon crack the lid on this fraud!!

[Tiger Beer]

Interesting thread.. and some drama.. I'm hangin' on this one wondering where The Lemon is going with this..

Regarding teaching English in Korea with an Ivy League degree.. I don't think it has nearly the pull as further education and alot more experience.. as well as perhaps a tesol certificate.

The following is a rough list in order of importance (job/financial leverage) to teaching English in Korea:

PhD
Lingustics or TESOL Masters + TESOL cert.
Linguistics or TESOL Masters
Any kind of masters + TESOL cert.
Any kind of masters (this could be dropped down two spots - debateable)
Linguistics or TESOL bachelors + TESOL cert.
Linguistics or TESOL bachelors
Any kind of bachelors + TESOL cert.
Any kind of bachelors (Ivy League) - in Glowstick's case.
Any kind of bachelors.

So basically Glow Stick Girl could theoretically be one step above the guys with a bachelors degree from just anywhere when it comes to job leverage. So theoretically you might have a better chance at a university gig as well if no one else around is applying with anything higher. (Most universities request a masters minimum - but bachelors holders are capable of getting in as well).

I know some people who make more than 2.2.. but they have certs and alot more experience teaching and more specific-oriented studies such as linguistics or TESOL background in their studies. But for a recent college graduate with a bachelors.. 2.2 is probably maximum and it could be to either luck or because of your school background.. hard to say. I think the average wage in Korea is around 2.0 with alot of university teachers making alot less (and working alot less).. and hogwans being more around the 1.9-2.2 range. (I've seen higher though sometimes up to 3.0 million won a month but fairly rare).

Regarding the rest of the thread:

Graduating from a well-recognized school is extremely important.. but you have to know what you are doing and be focused. You also have to take advantage of everything - interacting and networking and connecting and PLANNING PLANNING PLANNING. Take advantage of everything you possibly can while in university.. and a great program could put you in touch with the people who can help you get exactly where you want to get (if you know what you want). So, if you are focused and know what you want.. then going to the right school is of the utmost importance.

If I ever get my act together.. (I just studied at a State school and quite indifferent about my program - didn't take advantage of anything whatsoever).. but next time.. whenever I find my focus.. definetely won't do it at some generic nothing place.. if you want to be anything in this world changing the world and making a difference.. go to a really good school.

Unless your Ivy League education is related to South Korea, Asia, Linguistics, TESOL, or something specific to what you are doing here.. then perhaps.. well.. I don't know.. hard to make a judgement.. but theoretically its better if you take those connections from a good school and start getting involved in whatever world you prepared yourself to be in. If teaching English in Korea isn't a part of the world you are trying to get into.. then it won't do much for you until you get into the world you prepared for in school.

Regardless though.. while your Ivy League education does mean alot whenever you get into the world you are planning to be in.. as well as when you start applying for grad schools and such.. congrats on that leveraging power for when that time arrives.

[Homer]

smells fishy...looks fishy...perhaps it is a fish story...

[The Lemon]

GlowStickGirl is not currently in Korea, and hasn't been since she started posting in mid-September. However, she does have an explination for this, which I'll let her offer for herself.

[marsha marsha marsha]

The plot thickens...

[dogbert]

What's with all the teasing? Same thing back with the EnfCorp thread. Just tell us or not, please, but stop with the teasers.

[lush72]

So GSG isnt in good ol' Korea eh?

GSG- why?

[The Lemon]