Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lola723]

Hello!

(First of all, I just want to preface that I am sorry if this topic has already been posted, but the boards are so vast on this site that I wasn't certain).

Okay! I am coming to Seoul in 4 days, and I am ridiculously nervous, excited, etc.

The thing is, I am going to initially just check out Korea first for only 7 days for my own benefit and also to have an interview at a specific hagwon that I've been in touch with for about 2 weeks now, because I want to make absolutely certain that I will be able to survive in this country that is completely new and unknown to me for at least 12 months (I know it's always best to look before I leap, I don't want to make a midnight run!). This way I can also gauge what I need to bring with me and whatnot. If it works out and I sign with the company, I'll come out there again (this time they'd pay for it, of course) soon after.

Maybe this will sound silly (but who knows?), but I am concerned that I might come to Korea and for some reason, this hagwon might not offer me a contract. If this is the case and I need to think of some other alternatives in terms of a job, are there any particular places that you would recommend? Ones that I should avoid at all costs?

(About me, in case it helps: 24 yr old female with a Bachelor's in secondary education and Spanish and an MAT in ESOL who wishes to only teach adults).

Thanks for reading!!!

[PRagic]

Go straight for a university job and do not waste your time at a hakwon. If you want to get the lay of the land, maybe one year at a hakwon would serve you well. However, be careful about the timing.

Go for a large chain or operation in Seoul: YBM, Pagoda, ChungMoon, Wall Street Institute...

Get your application pack together for university jobs, and fire away when the next recruiting season comes by. It would help if you were here to interview.

Good luck. You have the right degrees, so it'll just be a matter of timing.

[PGF]

Lola,

You'll have no trouble getting a great job here with your qualifications unless you are in a wheelchair, are black and have a bad lisp.

Stay away from the large hagwon chains; esp., YBM's 1:1 adult program. The big chains generally get newbies in a rush. It sounds like you are in no hurry, so you can shop around. Unfortunately, 7 days is not a lot of time to shop around, unless you have set up the interviews in advance.

If you play your cards right, you can get a job at a corporation, a good uni, or a good hagwon with high pay and low hours.

[expat2001]

[PRagic]

Have to differ with this opinion. With the OPs qualifications, a good university job is the ONLY way to go, unless of course he/she has a preference for teaching kids.

With a decent university position, you'll teach fewer contact hours, get more vacation, and make more money.

[wylies99]

Go to a University. Stay away from hogwans. Most will cheat you. Leave those jobs for the illegal teachers too dumb to get a bachelor's degree.

[Homer]