Korean Job Discussion Forums

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I applied to a Uni job and didn't expect to get it and didn't expect to get it so quickly. This is because I only have a BA in English Eudacation and no references. It's not the best Uni job, but not too bad either:

15 hours/week 4 day work week (15 hours includes one Samsung class)
25,000,000
6 weeks guaranteed vacation, other weeks may/may not include programs with the students

The problem is there's no housing allowance. The only thing that makes up for it is the 4 day work week and 15 hours/week will give me time to work another job, I think?

Another dilemma:

My current job is at a hagwon and is ridiculously easy. I work less than 20 hours/ week and teach each class of students only 1/week, so no planning, no headaches, no stress. Also, by the time the Uni job starts, March 1, I will have 9 months towards my severance pay - which I would have to give up.

Uni jobs don't come along so often. I'm almost suspicius too how easy it was to get this job. All I did was submit my documents. The next day I got called in for an interview. I went, interviewed for 5 minutes and got a call that night that I'm hired. How great is that? Here I was expecting to be grilled and asked for references, etc etc.

I have to make the decision by Tuesday. I'm mostly worried about housing and giving up my ever so easy job/severance pay to come.

If I do take the Uni gig, anyone want an easy Hagwon job? You teach 3-4 classes day and live across the street in a nice new one room. It's in a small town though outside Suwon. We can hang out, as my would-be Uni is also here.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Tough decision!!!
ideally you need a confidential chat with someone who already works there...
The extra time could be handy for getting privates and boosting your income, if your into that.
Sounds like you may well be worse off, if you have to pay your own accom with the uni gig.
Its probably worth a try- can only be a good thing to have a Uni on your Resume.
The speed of it all sounds a bit suspicious.. but who knows? Its probably worth a go.I'd give it a try.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Well they had an ad in the Herald a while back. It's in the same town I live in, which shocked me. They did interview a lot of people, one guy interviewed just before me and I saw a stack of resumes on a desk. I applied at the last minute was all. Yeah, I'm fretting. I'm supposed to give them my documents tomorrow.

If they process the papers and then I change my mind by March, what happens with immigration? I mean, if a letter was issued for my E-2 and I never went and got it.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Hell!! They've really put the squeeze on you!!! I guess i'd withdraw at this point- you really need more time, and a chat to an insider, to make up your mind properly. i'd be suspicious.
It sounds like you enjoy your present job: good hagwons and schools are hard to come by- do you really want to throw it all away for something that sounds a little dodgy/uncertain?
If they've interviewed loads of people, over the course of several weeks, why the rushed decision now?? Sounds wierd.
I've no idea what happens regarding immigration. But they're usually pretty tricky about stuff...

At this point, I'd say be wise, cautious, and prudent. Stick with your current job. You can always apply for other Uni jobs later, in your own time.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Hmm. Can you get a place in your town? How much is key money? Probably pretty high. Go to some realtors. You would have Fridays to make more money, but you live far away from most places that need you. You do need vacations or you will go nuts. Hard to say.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I'm grappling with setup costs. If I have to get my own place, I'm going to have to forkup a deposit.

My current job gives only 5 days vacation, but I bet I could get more if I pleaded. I don't ask because of the ease of the job. Really, I do nothing. I play with the kids, give out puzzles, go home every break time.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I'd take the uni job. You applied for it, you were obviously interested in it. 6 weeks of vacation is pretty nice as well as 4/day workweeks. I'd take it. If for some reason it doesn't work out, you can always set yourself up for another kiddy job - those are all over the place already anyhow.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Where would you live though? Key money is high, even here? I'm worried how my boss will react. I'd like to leave notice that I'm quitting, but then I have to worry about getting my last pay.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

you could find out where the teacher you'd be replacing currently lives.

it is also possible to find places with next to no key money. you could also look into a hasook (boarding house).

what do other teachers do who work at the university? and how many of them are there?

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Yeah, wish I had more time to find out...argh!

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Good to hear.
Hope you can work it out.
Just because it's a university doesn't mean it'll be better, does it.

Seoul Skye · Joined: 28 Feb 2003

If the university really wants you, ask them to talk to your current visa sponsor to obtain the letter of release. Tell them that you really would like to work for them but that you don't want to damage the relationship with your current employer. They will probably respect you for caring about the relationship and, if you tell them that you're not sure how to ask for a release letter in such a way as to not offend your current employer, the university people will be impressed that you actually demonstrated a modicum of cultural sensitivity.

Also, since your current job is so ideal you might want to work a deal with the university where they give you a letter of authorization (that you present to Immigration to obtain a legal right to work a second job, which will cost you about 50,000KRW) to work off campus for your current employer on a part-time basis.

Just a thought.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I don't need any letter of release Razz

Trust me. Thanks for the insight everyone. I stalled them one more day, but it wasn't easy. The woman scolded me..maybe a sign of things to come. She said, "You made the appointment to sign one year contract today." And I said, "Well, actually you made the appointment late last night. It's all very fast and I need another day to think it over." She said, "Why? Why? Why?" - her English really sucks too. I kept trying to explain how I felt and she was just like, "come here now with documents." Ugh.

I'm starting to decide against it, actually. I forgot to mention that I'd have to do winter and summer camps with the students. And that class 4 days a week/ at Samsung, have to take a city bus there and then back to the uni. Plus having to find and pay for my own pad, buy a new wardrobe, pay my visa trip to Japan, give up my severance pay up at my easy gig, etc etc...I've proven to myself I can get a uni job, so not all is lost. I just think I should take one when I'm sure and ready, not when I feel this confused.