Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ABC KID]

As we all know, there are some dodgy workplaces (and teachers sometimes) in South Korea. Many leave/get sacked after or even before the end of their first contract.

There are however, a significant number of foreigners who are happy with their teaching and other jobs. Many posters on Dave's have been here for many years and have lived to tell the tales, some stretching back to the 1990's even...

Please vote for the longest you have stayed in one job in South Korea. If your current job is your longest, please vote for the category that represents the length of time you've done so far...

Why did you eventually leave your job? Did you move on to bigger and better things? Where you a victim of a 3 year rule at a university? Did you just get bored? Where did you work (hagwon, school, uni, non-teaching job)?

Please reveal all...

[schwa]

Same question crossed my mind this week. I'm 7 years with the same local Education Office (& figuring to continue on) -- any other public school teachers to match that?

Its fun running into former students young adults now out in the workforce.

[polonius]

I am in my 6th year at my Academy. My first year, I was a teacher, then I was promoted to the foreign manager. It was a new position created for me when they saw the need for a foreign manager. At first, I was micro-managed, and had to get all my protocols approved, but over the years, I have been given all the leeway I need to run my team the way I see fit.

I am very happy working at my school, and really enjoy the management team as well as all the teachers that work for me. We have a really strong contingent. Over 20 foreign teachers. I also have teachers that have been working at the school for multiple years. One is approaching 4 years, others 3 years, some into their second years, and a couple who are about to sign on for their second years.

[VanIslander]

3.5 years at the same hagwon.

(on Geoje Island)

I'm going back there tomorrow to visit the director and his wife over the holiday. Great people.

[SuperHero]

1 year
1 year
1.5 years
3 years 2 months (first university gig)
1 year 6 months
2 years 6 months (current university)

Hagwons suck but each move was to a slightly better one
stayed at my first uni despite high hours and low wages due to an excellent colleagues and fun teaching. Left as my third year things started to go down hill.

Second university was a temporary position as I only took it since there were no openings at the school I wanted to work at. I quit there once there was an available position at my current school which at this point I have no intention of leaving until I leave Korea..

[Corky]

Five and half years at the same university. I wanted to use my experience/qualifications to get a better job, and I got lucky and landed right in the butter tub. The salary is much, much higher, and so is the quality of the school. It's a three-day work-week teaching a subject I really enjoy, and there's no make-work BS like at my old job. There's no mandatory vacation work or overtime, and I get to live in the heart of Seoul.

My old uni is morphing into a unigwon too; there couldn't have been a better time to jump ship. I feel bad for some of my old colleagues though. The mandatory kid's camp are going to be a nightmare, and the impending addition of even more non-credit courses and mandatory "research committee" obligations has taken a good job and turned it into a crap job. The days of 5 months of paid vacation are gone at that school. It's turned into a real clusterfock. It's better than a hogwon, I guess.

[Homer]

After my second year, I worked on avg 3 years in the same job. Longer than that in my current job.

Stayed at my first Hakwon 2 years and like Van I am still in contact with the director (she retired now). She is a class act and a generous person.


I too accumulated referenced experience and contacts and got my current University job because of it.

I also have been working as a consultant for a few years here but there I am my own employer.

[Roch]

[Mi Yum mi]

Worked 2.5 years at my first school.
One month at another.
Went back to the 1st for another year.
Started a school(my wife did...like a waegook could do that on his own).
That lasted 3 years.
Now working at a place for 3 years. Starting my 4th March 2nd.

[Ya-ta Boy]

6 months at a hakwon
4 years and 2 months at a company
6 months at a company
4 years at a school
1 year at a school
4 months at a school
On my 2nd year at a school

[PRagic]

Another OP with a poll who doesn't answer their own question!

The longest I've been with a university here is 3.5 years, the longest they would let anyone stay because of the term limits. The great thing, though, is that everyone moved on to a much better job. Sometimes opportunity is knocking, but you just need a kick in the arse to go and answer the door!

I don't understand the purpose of the question, though. As so very, very few Korean employers offer longevity incentives to employees, why stay? If your experience and qualifications improve and you stay at the same job without being properly compensated, you're playing the chump.

And before I get flamed, let me just say that some may iterpret such 'loyalty' as impressive. I don't. I consider it stupid. Having said this, however, I'd be the first employer to take advantage of someone offerering me better services for the same cost. "Glad you love your job and what you do! How altruistic of you! Drive on...my bottom line loves it!"

[maingman]

ermm 5 months hagwon quite/very unhappy

High school-now 4.5 months fairly happy

[Young FRANKenstein]

7 months (hag - quit before it went bankrupt)
2.5 years (hag - severed contract mutually before it went bankrupt)
3 years (adult hag)
3 years (adult hag)
1 year (uni)
1.5 years (current uni)

[schwa]

[Kimchieluver]