Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bassexpander]

My Korean coworker and I were talking about my job title. I am called, a full-time "professor" for working at this uni. More specifically, I hold the title of 전임강사 (full-time).

Being called "professor" curls back the fingernails of many westerners who feel such a title should be "earned" by a Ph.D. I'd agree, and it has always made me a bit uncomfortable, yet at the the same time, Koreans don't seem too bothered by it.

Why?

I've gradually come to understand that 교수, as it's called here, doesn't necessarily mean the same thing as it does in the west. My coworker pointed out that we still have a few older Korean "professors" on staff who also never received a Ph.D. in any field. How could that be? According to him, after the war, many educated individuals with the right connections, a heap of money, and/or the right family name were hired by universities as 교수.

I still don't like being called, "professor," but at the same time, being called, "교수" doesn't bug me so much anymore, given what it historically means to have achieved this level in Korea.

[HapKi]

I agree.
To me, it's the only title that fits. "Lecturer Hapki", "Instructor Hapki" sound contrived and don't roll of the tongue like "professor" does. Just going with my first name puts me on a, well...first name basis that I don't find appropriate at college level. "Hapki Teacher" is just plain wrong.
It's like when I'm walking with a Korean professor and a student will walk by and do a full-on bow with "annyeonghaseyo," to him, but a little wave, giggle and "hi" to me. I don't believe in equality with my Korean co-workers 100%, but on the subject of titles, in this society, I do.

[the_beaver]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Oh, this one brings back memories of the good old days.

Once upon a time there was a post by a 'professor' out for a birthday dinner with a girlfriend at some hotel (near Daegu?). There was a Korean couple at another table who had the audacity/effrontery to ask the waiter to ask the 'professor' if they could have a conversation.

The professor sent a formal complaint to the hotel manager condemning the waiter for ruining the professor's dinner date.

IMO, you can't call yourself a professor unless you can post a story like that with a straight face.

[TECO]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

How many professors do you know who have to renew their contract every year? While a uni can bestow the title on anyone they want, generally the understanding is that the job is tenured or tenure-tracked.

[kimchi_pizza]

The only title that carries any weight is the one that stipulates your occupation on your ARC. Sure, a number of guys are called "professor" or "gyosunim" or it's on a name card or plastered of the front of the office door but it's just a courtesy title, it's not an honorary title and it carries no real weight within the university, public or back home. No matter for me, I'm just as proud to put "university lecturer" on my resume and it's still a cool little feather in the professional cap.

[Cornfed]

[Easter Clark]

When I was teaching at a uni in the states, a few students called my "Dr. Clark" one time. I of course corrected them and said "You may call me Mr. Clark or sir."

Truthfully, if you haven't earned the PhD, you haven't earned the title. At uni there are instructors ("lecturers") and professors.

[bassexpander]