Korean Job Discussion Forums

spedz14 · Joined: 09 Aug 2009

Hi Everyone,
I am a 20 year old male who is currently studying Political Science and American Studies at the University of Western Ontario. (in Canada) I have completed a year of study and will commence my second year in the fall.

I have come to this site to find a job in Korea for Late May next year. By this time I will have completed a second year at Western. My girlfriend is leaving to teach English in Cheoung Ju, South Korea next week. She has completed a four year degree at Western. I have been searching rules regarding work visas in Korea. From what I have read, to teach Enlgish in South Korea you must have a degree or diploma. However I have also read that two years completed at a university is sufficient to apply for a visa.

I was wondering if I am able to teach in Korea (particularly Cheoung Ju), or if not , if there are other occupations you would suggest for a
university student such as myself. Hope you guys can Help!

Thanks,
Josh

climber159 · Joined: 02 Sep 2007

In order to apply for a standard ESL job at at public school, hagwon (private academy), or university you must have completed a 4-year degree. However, there is another ESL program that I've heard about in passing. From what I understand, the TaLK program allows people who have completed at least two years of university to teach. I'm fairly certain that these jobs pay less. I don't know what sorts of benefits they include. You can probably find out more information if you contact one of the larger recruiters in Korea. I used Footprints recruiting when I first came to Korea. http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

You may qualify for the TALK program.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teach-and-Learn-in-Korea/13463644862

http://www.korea.net/News/News/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20080604009

It tends to be low paid and placed in more rural areas.

starwater · Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Location: Canada

spedz14,

Everything I've read states that the minimum requirement is a completed 3-year degree.

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

is cheoung ju actually jeon ju city?

anyways, you normally need at least a 3 year degree.

AgentM · Joined: 07 Jun 2009 Location: British Columbia, Canada

It'd be better to stick it out, finish your degree at Western, then go and join your gf later IMO.

andrewchon · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:40 pm Post subject:

I think he meant Cheungju, Chungcheung Bukdo, the biggest city in that province and the location for the Air Force Academy. Jeonju is Jeulla Buk do, again, the biggest city in that province. They are both nice places.

WillTurnerinVanCity · Joined: 05 Dec 2007

I believe the TaLK program typically requires applicants to have at least 2 years of University completed to be eligible, unless they've changed their policies.

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

there's also the fake degree & transcripts option. Im not sure how well that will work out as I've never done it.

Best advice is to find another gf. There are many beautiful women at Western.

clyde · Joined: 09 Jan 2006

Do yourself a favour and finish school bro.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

Gfs come and go so don't follow them around. Stick to your own course and if that means finishing university go for it. Working in korea is not exactly the bees knees and the talk program does not pay that well.

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

bixlerscott · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Location: Near Wonju, South Korea

Yes, I agree. Finish school. It's obvious she is putting her career ahead of you not to be cruel about it. And this involves going to the other side of the world since the job she wants is not at home. Relationships are be difficult to establish and maintain in today's transient world with how fast economics and job market opportunities change. No longer is it, "I'm going to Wall Street to work, but will be home at 9 or 10PM every Friday night and every holiday by taking a quick 1 to 3 hour flight." We're talking 14 hours flight with check in, customs, baggage claims, and layovers making it a full 20 to 30 hours each way and about $1000. This is not a gig where she'll be home for weekends and holidays; only once a year at most.

I believe it's possible to talk her out of it if she really wants to stay with you and she can find a job she wants back home. Tough dilemma may be the job part of the situation.

spedz14 · Joined: 09 Aug 2009

thank you all for your replys and help.

Just to clarify. Shes' teaching for a year then coming back home to do a B.A in Journalism at western.
I'll be travelling to Korea during Christmas break, then as I said potentially looking for a job in Korea in May.

I'd like to be working from May till September in Korea. However I would still be going to travel during that time until the end of my girlfriends term next august. Then next september we would both resume schooling.
Not sure if that changes any answers.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

A possible painful truth- when your gf ups and goes to the other side of the world you usually lose them. Sorry to say it but it is a trend that many travelers know of. It's also painful if you follow to watch her with her new bf. Heh I might be wrong but I like to stir things up on this site and sometimes things need to be said out of tough love. But plenty an old guy is sitting back thinking a girl who is content in a realtionship usually does not head out of the same country.