Korean Job Discussion Forums

[linky123]

Hi!

It's first time posting here. First of all, I've gained a lot of knowledge reading the board here. I am a Gyopo who is planning to move to Korea in the middle of March.

Before I go on, let me introduce myself a bit. I came to the state when I was 12 and graduated with BA in English. I taught English in Korea after college from 1996 through 1998. I was discriminated for being Gyopo, not paid, not insured and came back to the States broke and sick. I think I was naive and stupid. I've been in a high tech industry for last 10 years and making a good salary. With the economic downturn, I got layed off. I wanted to go back to Korea and do what I love, teach. I was a trainer in U.S. as well.

I'm sorry about the long intro. I just want any advice on how to take advantage of being a bilingual (fluently in both language reading and writing) and having F-4 visa.

Thank you.

[manofwar]

You have nothing to worry about. I have alot of friends who have your visa. It give you alot more flexiblity to move around or quit one school if they don't follow through with the contract. E2 visa holders have alot of problems if they are in a bad school, and usually have to stick it out. Thousands of schools and hogwon in KOrea. If they don't want to hire you because you are KOrean background, most likely the school is a donkey show. Good luck and happy hunting...

[linky123]

Thank you for the reply. I'm sure I'll be fine but I wanted some advice on what would be the best to earn more and able to demonstrate my talent other than being a mouth piece?

Would you recommend a public school, private hakwon, afterschool, multiple part-times, adults, kids... If you had a F-4, what would you have done differently? And you have any F series visa, how are you maximizing your privilege?

Thank you.

[Ramen]

[linky123]

[PRagic]

You only have a BA, but if you have trainer experience, you might be able to work for one of the larger Korean companies in their training facilities. The hours are long but the coin is better than you'll earn at a PS or crapwon. Just a thought.

I think there's a sticky somewhere about F-series visa holders and teaching privates. You could do that, or just float between after school programs. As far as I know, you'd make better money and wouldn't be subjected to as much b.s. However, I don't know if you'd get medical coverage.

Either way, it'd probably be tought to set up any of this type of work from overseas. As long as you have the F4 visa, one option would be to come on over and fish for jobs from in country.

[aphase]

[linky123]

[red_devil]

[linky123]

WOW!!!

Unix Scripts, COBOL, Mainframe, SQL, DB2... I'm pulling my hair out. You'd have to drag me back to that crap hole. I used to make close to 6 figures in IT services. I wouldn't go back for any amount of money. At this stage of my career, it's not all about the money anymore.

[PRagic]

Yup, plus let's not forget that a 'six figure' income in the US, especially in or around most of the larger cities, really isn't that much of an income! Take out federal taxes (plus State taxes for many), property tax (up to and over a grand a month in many places), rent/mortgage, property insurance, utilities, car payments, car insurance or (xport fees for those with no cars), then throw in food and entertainment, and you don't have a whole hell of a lot left over. Add kids to the mix and you're lucky to save a couple of grand a year!

Being in Korea changes the way income is perceived. It's not how much you earn, it's how much you bank. Getting debt free and banking as much as possible from as young an age as possible is the key to not getting sucked under later on in life. Bank now, live comfortably later. Currently, a staggering percentage of Americans under the age of 30 are saving less than 10% of their income (if they have one to speak of these days) and have underestimated the future weight of their debt. In short, they're in places they can't afford with debt that is piling up and a lack of savings that will inevitably come back to bite them in the ass sooner than they might imagine.

People let off a lot of steam on this board and that's natural, but the fact is, there is a lot of opportunity here. Opportunity in Korea can be found in education to be sure, but for those who really stick it out, other avenues can be found. On the road to success, though...bank, bank, bank...it's an option you DON'T have in many other economies.

[IIILALALAIII]

[quote="Ramen"][quote="linky123"]Thank you for the reply. I'm sure I'll be fine but I wanted some advice on what would be the best to earn more and able to demonstrate my talent other than being a mouth piece?

Would you recommend a public school, private hakwon, afterschool, multiple part-times, adults, kids... If you had a F-4, what would you have done differently? And you have any F series visa, how are you maximizing your privilege?

Thank you.[/quote]

I recommend compulary military service first. [/quote]

as of my understanding, F-4 visa is for those who have US citizenship.
so, no need for military service here in korea.

[Looney]

[Johntheduke]

Hi, just an intro: I'm gyopo (lived in Korea for first 12 years of my life and been living in America for 12 years). I'm fluent in both Korean and English (can write and read as well). I'll be graduating from a well-known university in US in a couple of months and I plan to tutor SAT in Korea.

My Q is:
1) I really don't know how to recruit potential clients since this is my first time tutoring in Korea. Yes, I do have experience in teaching SAT in America but I think teaching in Korea and in America is completely different story. Any tips on how to recruit students?

2) I did well on both SAT, SATII, and many AP tests. After throwing in my university name (Duke University), I am optimistic in recruiting others. But I really need your help in how to promote myself to others. What are they really looking for?


3) Do all 학원s have one year long contract? Has anybody seen like 6 month contract?

4) The most important Q: I'm coming for summer and I don't know if I should do private tutoring or go to 학원 and work. Which one is more profitable? I guess private tutoring offers more money but again, the question goes back to #1, how hard is it to get private lesson?


Thanks in advance for help.
and please, I'm not bragging. I'm just trying to lay out what I have to get the most appropriate help. Thank you.

[Johntheduke]

Hi, just an intro: I'm gyopo (lived in Korea for first 12 years of my life and been living in America for 12 years). I'm fluent in both Korean and English (can write and read as well). I'll be graduating from a well-known university in US in a couple of months and I plan to tutor SAT in Korea.

My Q is:
1) I really don't know how to recruit potential clients since this is my first time tutoring in Korea. Yes, I do have experience in teaching SAT in America but I think teaching in Korea and in America is completely different story. Any tips on how to recruit students?

2) I did well on both SAT, SATII, and many AP tests. After throwing in my university name (Duke University), I am optimistic in recruiting others. But I really need your help in how to promote myself to others. What are they really looking for?


3) Do all 학원s have one year long contract? Has anybody seen like 6 month contract?

4) The most important Q: I'm coming for summer and I don't know if I should do private tutoring or go to 학원 and work. Which one is more profitable? I guess private tutoring offers more money but again, the question goes back to #1, how hard is it to get private lesson?


Thanks in advance for help.
and please, I'm not bragging. I'm just trying to lay out what I have to get the most appropriate help. Thank you.