Korean Job Discussion Forums

[teachteach]

Simple question. I am sure most of us on this board are holding down or have held down student loans that seem to never get paid off.
I was inspired to ask this question after a friend of mine, who already had 60k in student loan debt, taught in korea for one year, then said 'you know, with a bachelors I won't get too far past this kind of work.' Although she had her BA in literature, her deep dream was always law. So, she went back to the US, got another 100k debt for law school (Georgetown), and now is getting more job offers for law offices than she can shake a stick at.
Another friend of mine (Canadian) finished a few years in Korea, and although he had a BEd, decided to get another BSc in computer engineering, which was always what he wanted to do but felt be couldn't do when he was younger. Again, another 50k of student loans. But he doesn't mind.
So, I was wondering how many of you would be willing, between the ages of 25-40, to go back to school and get more debt to follow a different career path.

[bogey666]

[Vince]

I used to be hell-bent on a PhD and didn't consider the cost a factor. Then I got married, had a son, and moved back the US. That influenced my thinking a lot. If I had to pay out of pocket, I'd probably give up on it. But I'm not one to give up when there are options, and the option that appealed to me was getting a job at a university and doing my grad work via tuition remission. I got that job and am getting ready to start grad school.

[blaseblasphemener]

I think you're missing a choice.

I can get a Masters without getting into debt. I have the money in the bank.

[teachteach]

Some esl teachers have expressed that if they knew their best option was esl in korea they would have forgone university all together.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Miles Rationis]

[tzechuk]

I voted for only a PhD because that's all I've got left to do.. unless I want to do another MBA, which actually sounds tempting, especially after reading a special report on what they are offering now in Europe... so interesting.

IF I decide to stay in Education, I will do a PhD, but otherwise, I am going to invest in my daughter's education instead.

[Cheonmunka]

I got the NZ teaching diploma taking my family to NZ (homeland^_^) where we stayed for one year. (Intentions were to stay longer but income didn't cut it when it comes to raising a young family.) I figure it cost about 40k all up to do the qual. The sojourn and the study was worth it in many ways for me and my family. For the most part, I finally got into a job here where I could use that ed. qual. to command a higher determination of salary.
Later, on return to NZ, I can walk straight into employment. That is an important aspect of it.

[Miles Rationis]

[Yaya]

I've pondered graduate school for the past decade. It's a big step, and at age 38, I'm not sure if I want to do it. I've even considered doing grad school in Britain (despite the fact that I cannot stand the people, but I digress) because you don't have to go through the hassle of the GRE or other entrance test, and it's usually shorter than a U.S. grad school.

I guess having an advanced degree from a good school can only help you, but it also depends on your age. For a career change, yes, but I see many people doing fine WITHOUT a master's or Ph.D and in Korea, many with advanced degrees are often the most underemployed in the country.

[Miles Rationis]

[Yaya]

Uh, perhaps YOU are the one with tunnel vision. Getting an advanced degree is fine, but many who have them end up doing something unrelated to their major and such, and this ain't just the case in Korea.

I don't disagree that having a master's or Ph.D gives one more options, but oftentimes, the expectation is higher than the reality.

[Miles Rationis]

[Yaya]