Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kittyfye]

Im back and forth from the US to Korea while finishing an MA and earning an eventual PhD in English Lit.

*SO IF YOU DO NOT ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT A PHD IN ENG LIT WILL GET YOU, THEN THANKS FOR YOUR OPINION--BUT NO THANKS*

I am seriously considering returning to Korea once I ave the PhD, to get out of debt and establish some financial independence--something all but impossible to do as an academic in the US, particularly with my debt.

But 'what a PhD gets you' is not just a question about money. Just as importantly:
Do you feel secure in your job (Im sure that's idiosyncratic)? Are you treated as you think a professor should be treated? E.g., Is your Western-style research respected, or are you expected to adopt a Korean way of interpreting Western art forms? Is tenure really an illusion for waegooks? If so, does it even matter? Do PhD's also have to join in the three-year revolving door of Korean universities? Do Korean Eng Lit programs care if an applicant has a Western classical background, such as classical literatures and languages?

I will be returning to Korea this Jan to establish contacts in academia before returning to a program (PhD) back in the States in August. If you are able to respond to any of my questions and would prefer to IM, then please do so. I'm eager especially to make online contacts that will become ...."non-virtual" contacts, particularly in Seoul, but some online pointers are more than appreciated.

Thanks for your time~

[RedRob]

Real Reality has quite a few posts about this, search his/her post history. Good Luck.

[PRagic]

The Chronicle has a job post for an Eng. Lit. tenure track position. My Ph.D. isn't in English, but I'm in a tenure track position and can take a stab at a few of your questions.

1. Are you treated respectfully? Pretty much. There is, however, the tendency for other (Korean) profs to want to use you for arbitrary proofreading/ESL-type work. Also, in some programs, Ph.D.s in Lit. are still asked to teach ESL speaking courses.

2. Publications: Publishing in ranked Western academic journals is a major plus here. No worries in that department.

3. 3-year rule: If you are hired as a visiting assistant prof, you can still get the boot after the 3 years. Even if you are hired on in a tenure track job, you still come under review every year (every two years after your first two years), and can be let go. In our school, we are rated for teaching, publishing, and professional contributions (to the school/department/outside institutions).

Sounds like you still have a ways to go before you need to worry about most of this stuff, but it's always good to get the lay of the land. By the time you finish up your degree, there should be more jobs open here for foreign Ph.D.s. The trend is promising. Good luck.

[Real Reality]

Foreign Scholars Merit Equal Status
The Foreign Professor -- Colleague or Hired Hand?

[PRagic]

Private universities do seem to be better places to seek employment. While RR's post has some alarming facts, they don't necessarily apply to my particular situation. I receieve equal pay, equal access to research grants, and am expected only to teach the same number of classes as all the other professors in the department; my contract is for 2 classes per semester. My pay is in-line with what I would be making as a tenure track professor at a N. American university.

There are cultural differences that create points of frustration, but that comes with the territory. I chose to live and work here. Concernign the arrogance Korean academics are accused of, I have found that it helps to prove one's professional ability. I attend and give papers at conferences, publish, and get involved with student research/academic activities.

[kittyfye]

Ladies and/or gentlemen, thank you for your replies. It gives me much to chew on in the meantime.