Korean Job Discussion Forums

[agm222]

Hello everyone, this is my first time posting here.

I have browsed the forum for the past week and noticed how helpful and informative the people are so I wanted to post my current situation and ask for advice. My apologies in advance if this is in the wrong section.

Right now I'm a Senior in college about to graduate with a Bachelor's of Science in Criminology. For the past 5+ years my goal has been to work in Federal Law Enforcement, but as I'm approaching graduation I would actually like to broaden my horizons a bit and get some international experience.

Upon graduating, I do have a couple of good job offers in hand.. one as a state trooper which pays well and has benefits, and it also looks to be a good preparation job for working in Federal Law Enforcement in the future. I'm debating how I go about approaching this, have any of you ever deferred employment, or in some cases gave up the opportunity to teach?

If anyone has had this experience where they had to pick between something they're passionate about (traveling, teaching, helping others) vs. a great job which will pay dividends in the future (my case, state police), I could really use your input.. this is a tough decision for me.

Any advice would really be appreciated, if this thread progresses I can give a list of pros and cons for each choice, but I don't want to ramble. Thanks.

[sarbonn]

My advice is to take the state trooper job. It sounds like it's something solid. Jobs in Korea right now are kind of in a state of flux because of the economy. I can't promise that your state trooper job is going to be solid as well, but there are a lot of chances you take in coming to Korea. Also, the visa process is quite time consuming, and if you thought you were going to be arriving soon, it may be one of the most frustrating experiences you've ever, well, experienced. I nearly starved while going through the process and turned down two job offers that I should have taken, while the application and visa process took freaking forever.

The job seems kind of safe right now, but you can really never be sure. If you work for a public school or university, you might have more job security, but if you end up taking a Hakwon job, there's no guarantee you won't end up in a bad situation down the line.

You wanted to go into law enforcement, so I would suggest just making that leap now while you still can. Don't hold out and then find yourself in a hiring freeze situation where you are ready to start doing it and then can't find a job.

[agm222]

Thanks, and it's tempting for sure... but my argument is I should do something different and exciting while I'm young. Right now I think I'm qualified for several domestic jobs, it's just they don't interest me as much.

State Police:
Pros:
1. Solid job with good pay, won't have to worry about layoffs.
2. Tuition reimbursement for me to pursue a master's (looking to get my MBA).
3. May sound silly, but if I work for them I can make it to two weddings this upcoming Fall. I am really close with both of the couples getting married so it would be nice to be there.

Teaching in South Korea:

Pros:
1. I'd get to live abroad, which is an experience I've never had.
2. Getting the opportunity to teach, this also means a lot to me.
3. Doing a little bit of traveling within Asia once I am done my contract.

Also on a side note, it's been a dream of mine to start amateur boxing and possibly taking some ring fights, I've had experience in Thai Boxing but prefer traditional. I was thinking of joining a gym in Seoul and seeing how that progresses.

And to continue with being productive while abroad I may pursue an online accelerated MBA program while there to give me even bigger career opportunities upon my return to the United States.

My only fear with taking a comfortable job right out of college is I may get comfortable and not remain as ambitious as I am now. But I could definitely see your argument, thanks for your input.

[T-J]

Have you considered a stint with the military?

It might scratch that adventure / travel itch of yours and you could still gain experience in law enforcement as you scratch.

Professionally I think it would be better than getting sidetracked with ESL for a year.

[bogey666]

[Kimbop]

There are plenty of gyms in the US. You can take an online MBA program in the US as well.

Believe me; babysitting students in Korea for 1400$ a month is not 'broadening your horizons', and you will gain no experience relevant to the real world or a Federal job. Traveling is cool, but being a state trooper is much cooler. Tons of applications, but only a few are accepted. Another perk of being a state trooper is that you'll be able to take a year off whenever you like, travel the globe, and return to work without penalty after your sojourn.

I don't want to be the demon of pessimism, but a large problem that esl teachers face is that they gain no experience while teaching overseas; they return home to difficult job conditions, but managed to save 20,000 measly dollars after teaching in Korea for 3 years. I think that's madness and a waste of potential.

Alternatively you could live in Korea for a year, learn TKD, perhaps save some cash (at the sacrifice of fun), and return to the US to start a real career. Just don't expect Korea to be the 'resume broadening' experience you think it might be.

[agm222]

Yes, I've given it a thought but most likely I wouldn't want to see myself making a 6 year minimum commitment (3-4 years active/x years reserve). I'd like to think by the time I'm in my late 20's that I'd be settled into whichever career I decide on and ultimately be comfortable enough with my stability to be able to start a family.

Also I'd prefer an environment that would allow me the independence of pursuing my own interests while abroad. But yes it's definitely something I've considered. My argument regarding ESL and being "sidetracked" is I could say I've pursued my Master's during that year, taken a shot at amateur boxing, and had the chance to live abroad while making some money on the side.. and it's only for one year.

Have any of you passed up a long term job for a teaching stint?

[seoulteacher]

Wow, your first post: welcome to the Wonderful World of Daves, agm222!
May you post well and often, and may your posts get only helpful and complimentary replies (OK, how about substituting 'mostly' for 'only'? ).

*****************************************

A bit of brainstorming: what about looking at ways of combining the two areas? Take the trooper's job AND then work toward teaching Criminology, perhaps part time and including overseas?

And I'm wondering: the US economy (and I'm assuming you're in the US) is tanking and will probably get much, much worse before it gets better. Perhaps you'd want to grab that good job NOW before all new jobs quite possibly disappear (including deferred jobs?), especially where you're talking about one that is so well suited for a long term career which you've worked so hard for.

And a bit of rambling...
many years ago I considered becoming a (certified) public school teacher in Canada. If I'd done that then, I could have retired at 55 from Canadian public school teaching - and then taken up teaching ESL overseas! With that additional income - with a pension of approx. CDN $ 3,000/mth. But I figured back then that public school teaching would have been boring, so I didn't go get the 1-year post-grad B. Ed.

What I found out later was that it would have been possible - for every 4-year period of my teaching career! - to teach for 3 years in Canada and then take a year off: do whatever I wanted, whether it'd have been teach in Australia or Korea, or sail a yacht to Mexico or wherever. I'd have received 3/4 of an annual salary for each of the 4 years, and I would have had pension contributions continuing to build up, medical coverage, and a job to come back to.

And the worry over the boring part? Well, there would have been all sorts of extra stuff I could have gotten involved in, so adding to the variety of my day eg. running Junior Achievement or Toastmasters, etc., for the high school.

Instead, because I had always been interested in working overseas, I did so as a college teacher, initially in 1988. But, and this reflects my personal journey and need not be your experience, I have paid a heavy price by thus not having had job and financial security, especially as I look ahead to retirement.

I don't live with regret: life is good and there are blessings enough and, per Yogi Berra, "It ain't over 'til its over!". But I do sometimes wonder what it would be like to today have the freedom and financial security of a pension that one could live on (ie. if such still exists in today's economic climate!).

And this last thought: why not go get some good advice from the pros in your field, the 'old hands' - go ask a counsellor with the state police or federal law enforcement for some guidance. I'm sure they'd be only too happy to confidentially help someone seeking to follow in their footsteps.

You have some lovely options to choose from, agm222. Good luck!

[agm222]

Point taken Kimbop.. taking a year off for traveling in the future is definitely a possibility and I can accomplish my goals at home too.

In jobs I was looking at the pay was significantly better than what you stated, and one is a definite as my friend did it a couple of years ago and made well over $30k.

But the way I look at it is I think I have good enough credentials and connections to not worry too much about job prospects upon my return. I definitely appreciate the post though, as that's what the logical side of me is thinking.

Seoulteacher, thanks for the post, you seem real upbeat.

I will have a discussion with counselors soon for sure, but hearing other people's experiences (like yours) makes me think I should really factor in what's financially secure as well. Thanks again.

[soviet_man]

Yes, I would also take the police job.

At some later stage when you have some vacation time or leave time built up - come to Korea and do a 3 month summer camp.

It is a minimalist option, but a safe one.

In uncertain economic times, public sector jobs like police are gold.

[yingwenlaoshi]

You could climb Everest, too! And defeat the abominable snowman with your boxing skills! A whole world is waiting for you to discover!

[Joe666]

agm222 - Brother, you are so young, I would not worry too much about the timing of your decisions. I disagree with some of the thinking in regard to no experience being gained in ESL teaching for a year. How can moving to a foreign country while teaching english ( no matter what the level or how involoved the teaching is) not be gaining any experience. I personally believe it will look damn good on a resume prior to acquiring a gig that's in line with career path. I do agree with the idea of jumping on that statie position if you are worried that it may not be there say a year or two from now. Do what's in your heart. I think you will find that if you follow what's in your heart, today or 60 years from now, regardless of the outcome, it works out for the best. The actual outcome of your decisions may not be what you wanted, but you may want to get used to that fact. It happens to all of us. Whatever your decision, I wish you the best!!!

[yingwenlaoshi]

Be careful of the previous poster. Look at his username. Be very careful.

[TBirdMG]

Take the trooper job now.

If you decide to pursue the wanderlust opportunities of teaching ESL abroad in the next couple of years, those opportunities will always be there, and may be more lucrative in 2010, 2011.

Another consideration is that you'll want to establish a decent work track record in your home country. If you go straight to S. Korea or otherwise, you have no post-graduation work history to cite.

As well, it's relatively easy to tell future employers that you wanted an international sabbatical for a year if you have established yourself at home first.

And the value of an employer paying for the next degree is golden. Covering graduate tuition out of pocket these days is becoming exorbitant.

Take the trooper gig and reevaluate after year 1. My recommendation is to do at least 2-3 years as a trooper, build up some savings for retirement and then ask for a 1 year leave of absence.

Remember, the ESL jobs will always be there, and so will travelling. Even in your late 20s, you'll have a good time, and you'll have more to return to, making both sides of the adventure more worthwhile.

[kiwiduncan]

Go for the State Trooper job. A year from now if it doesn't work out you can easily find a thousand job options in Korea. Maybe work as a State Trooper for a year or two then take a year off in a place like Korea, but don't miss this State Trooper opportunity - I imagine they are hard to come by.

Now, forgive my ignorance on the role and prerequisites of a State Trooper, but with the state of the world economy as it is, I'd grab the trooper job now while you've got a chance. Just imagine how much competition there will be a year from now when Obama starts bringing the troops home and you suddenly have hundreds of ex military police and reserves looking for jobs again.