Korean Job Discussion Forums

Another One · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

Hi all.

I have a decision to make about a job in Korea (uni) and another one in the Middle East (American school). The second offers 1500 USD more per month (more work, less vacation and, in my opinion, less attractive destination). In Korea Im being offered 2.4 (after tax) plus housing for 12 hours/week and lots of vacation. What bothers me...

+ I have taught for 6 years and I have a PhD in Linguistics. From what I have heard, the conditions I got for Korea would be more for an MA teacher. I was told that PhD's normally make more and work 8 hours/week.

+ The money thing isnt my real concern. What I dont like is that '1-year renewable' contract. The Middle East offer is much safer and I know I can be there for a while. And I also think I 'deserve' a better contract from the Koreans.

Having said this... Do you think it will work if I show some muscle to the Koreans? I mean, if I get back to them and state my conditions (slightly higher salary AND a 3-year renewable contract)... Would that work? Is that something you do or is it a 'take it leave it' sorta thing? I have the other job so I have some backup, although I really want to go to Korea. The biggest issue is that this is not an 'adventure' for me, this is my profession and I would like to think that I am going to be at my next post for 3-5 years at least, and I just dont see it with the Korean offer...

Any advise will be highly appreciated...

Thank you.

Crack Baby · Joined: 30 Dec 2007

Take the job in the middle east.
You're going to come here and say, "I took a $1500/month pay cut to come here!?!?!"

pugwall · Joined: 22 Oct 2006

Arabs are very proud of and famous for their hospitality culture. Treating a guest like a friend etc. Korea......

boyne11 · Joined: 08 Jul 2007

If you have a year of your life to spare, come to Korea to waste it away.

normalcyispasse · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:30 am Post subject:

You deserve so much more than Korea can offer.

Another One · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

Thanks a lot those of you that gave your opinion. Any others, more than welcome...

Another issue, is a Korean contract a 'real' contract? In the past, I got a 3-year contract from an American university abroad (and Im not American) and in this case, it was a 'real' contract, meaning that unless you do something wild you have 3 years ahead of you. And then, I was offered a renewal for another 3-year contract...

In case I get a 3-year contract from a Korean university, is it worth something or they just can break it at any time? Like I said, I am thinking about stating my conditions and asking for a 3-year contract, but if contracts over there are a joke, whats the point?

Regards (and thanks again).

Atavistic · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:55 am Post subject:

ALL contracts here are easily, often broken. ALL contracts here are a joke.

kiwiana · Joined: 29 Nov 2007

The conditions you have been offered in Korea are not ideal. I have an M Ed, 4 years experience and earn more than that with the same conditions.

YOU my friend have a PhD in linguistics. I know that there are better positions than that available elsewhere.

I have heard that Keimyoung Uni / Int'l college in Daegu offers tenure track positions to foreigners with PHds in linguistics or related fields. Pukyeong National University and University of Ulsan have offered tenure track positions to foreign faculty before.

I guess you are starting in March so you could sign at the Korean uni in question and then do your best to network to find the best positions. The best way to network would be to keep in contact with academic organiztions, and to frequent (and present at if possible) renowned TESOL conferences. Also, Seoul is where you would have the best chances for networking and jobs.

Where abouts in the Middle East is the job by the way? Is it a college? I thought the weather there was pretty sweet?

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

2.4 / month with a PhD in Linguistics? You're going to feel awfully stupid when your chatting at the pub with a 23-year-old with a BA in computer science who's making 3.2 / month for doing couple hours of privates a day before he goes off to play games with little kids for five hours a day.

binjibadgy · Joined: 28 Mar 2007

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

I am not sure they can legally give you more than a one year contract as you cannot get a visa for more than one year.

But, I could definately be wrong.

Return Jones · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:00 am Post subject:

Korea is actually a nice place, but everyone is right in saying that you can do MUCH MUCH better career-wise. 2.4 million?! Nowadays 22 year-old newbies with no experience are offered 2.2 million. Money isn't everything, but in this case the salary is an insult. Japan would be much more willing to pay for your expertise. Let us know how things turn out!

Edit: I definitely wouldn't want or sign a three-year contract in Korea.

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

your naivete is showing simply because of your statement "showing some muscle" you SO don't know what you are dealing with here - most Ks don't know how to negotiate - and furthermore - they wouldn't know a qualified candidate if the person jumped up and bit them in the arse -

you come here and you risk spending time in a country where you might work for someone who's E is so bad you'll never be able to use them for a reference - translations will be done between your director/manager/president (take your pick) and some lackey gopher who could care less about your creditials and even less about your welfare

you could also find your position is, more likely than not, just a "show" position and not one where any suggestions, opinions, contributions, you want to make are actually respected and/or implemented and/or followed.

in fact, you could be shut out of everything managerial related except that your presence will be required in meetings which, of course, will be in Korean

just go buy a bunch of sun block some cotton clothes and don't look back - don't even think about it - !

kiwiana · Joined: 29 Nov 2007

moosehead made some pretty good comments.

Korean universities often don't look for candidates with PhDs in linguistics (or similar) because they try to implement changes, i.e. make positive progress. If you were to come to Korea I am sure you would become quite irritated with the bureaucracy and inflexible hierarchy entrenched in the Korean tertiary education system. I have heard that there are much better positions available in Japan for PhDs.