Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Agent0range]

No, seriously. I'm finishing my Master's (Liberal Arts) in August and thinking about spending a year in Korea to teach, relax, and maybe write. I plan on taking both my cat and my wife () and I want to make sure i have plenty of free time to explore, have fun, and learn Korean. I care more about the time-off than high pay and I don't want to live in expensive, busy places.

From what i've read, a uni job would be the best route for me. So, tell me, is it all that it is cracked up to be? What areas should I be checking out, and how do I find a decent spot at a place that won't treat me like garbage?

Please note that I do have a year of experience teaching in a hagwon-style Korean-run learning center here in the States. My Korean boss here would probably read over any contracts for me before I signed them or even write letters in Korean on my behalf. He and I get along pretty well.

[nobbyken]

Is your wallet as big as your avatar?

Finding suitable housing for the wife and pussy may be your biggest challenge.

[Bibbitybop]

Coming from your home country and landing a uni job will be tough thing for you to do unless you have contacts in the uni already. Unless you are going to fly over here for your own dime for the interview and can offer something more than the other people with MAs already in Korea, you may find yourself disappointed. Lots of people want uni jobs, lots of them have MAs and lots of them are already here, able to get them face to face and through contacts.

[Hanson]

[bassexpander]

Any overseas applications to our uni go directly into the trash.

I've seen many highly-qualified candidates ignored strictly on the basis that they are not here.

[mj roach]

does your k/boss have connections/contacts at a k/uni.?
have you asked?
also network at your uni. there. try (if you haven't) to meet a/some k/profs or grad students.
getting a position from there can be done...but not without connections.
'it's not what you know...it's who you know.'

[jkelly80]

How does one make uni contacts? I'm sure this sounds like a ridiculous question, but I asked it just the same.

[ajuma]

[The Hammer]

[jkelly80]

[ajuma]

Watch the "Off-Topic" or "General" forums for Dave's gatherings.

For the OP: Yeah, it's pretty tough to get a uni job without being in Korea. mj roach got it right...network with your Korean contacts at your uni, or friends you may have in Korea.

[Unposter]

Generally, being in country does make a difference but it is not impossible to get a job while back home but you really need to have very strong qualifications and alot of luck!

You can take this for what it is worth but if you are persistant and interview well (dress nicely, speak clearly and professionally etc...) you will get a uni job.

But, the tough part is getting a "good" uni job. There is probably at least one person here who will say yeah I got the perfect uni job the first time I applied and I only have a BA but generally getting a good uni job is very hard to get. You might even have to start out at a bad one and work your way into a good one. And, every year there are fewer and fewer "good" uni jobs.

Best of luck though!

[Agent0range]

Thanks for all the great comments. I might have to reevaluate my options at this point.

Is it possible to get a hagwon or grade school (public or private) job that offers anywhere near the amount of paid vacation that a Uni job offers?

[Shredd]

Since you said you don't want to be in the city (I'm paraphrasing) you might look into GEPIK. It would be out in the country and I think the vacation promised is near 10 weeks????? Also you get paid more to be outside of the city and with your masters and experience you might already be on a higher payscale. Any GEPIK teachers want to verify that?

[xCustomx]