Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jdunca12]

After having a conversation with a friend who is in South Korea teaching, I have spent the last 2 days researching every possible aspect of this I can find.

Right now, here's my story:

I graduated in December of 2008 with a Bachelor's in History. My GPA was not quite where it should have been(which is more indicative of partying than lack of intelligence). I have been looking into teaching here in the United States, when I started reading about this.

Also, I have been in contact with one recruiter which has been very helpful(I know, it's their job ), but she has given me a much better idea on what it is I need to do. So i have a few questions that hopefully you will be able to help me with.

1. Of the documents I need to send, I am concerned with sending my degree to South Korea. I asked if I could have a copy made and send it, she said if it were apostilled, then yes, but the court house said they would not be able to do this. Is it okay to send my degree?

2. For those of you who did this at an early age, how did your family respond? I'm 25, but live in a pretty close family who is generally opposed to this. Since I mentioned this, going into the military has been brought up a handful of times.

3. On my background check I do have a failure to appear from 2004(prior to going to school). I am concerned that this will cause a problem, but I was told that I could just goto another courthouse out of the county and it wouldn't show up. I tested the waters on this this morning and I think it may be true. The county I live in did not see the charge showing up. It has all been resolved for many years anyways, I would prefer nothing to be there, and don't have the money to hire an attorney to have it expunged.

4. I have not seen this one discussed in my research, but I have never had a passport before. I've been on the US website for this, and I don't think it will be too big of a hassle, just have never done this. I have to wait until next payday before I can start this process. How long does this usually take to receive?

5. When submitting my resume to recruiters, is there anything in particular I should be mindful of in my picture? I wear glasses, should I wear them in the photo or not? I generally sport a goatee, should I shave for the picture?


I apologize if this is the wrong place for this thread, I couldn't decide between the "living" and "working" forums. I just want to have an information overload before I do this. As I said, I've probably read more in the last 2 days on teaching in Korea than I have the past month of anything else.


Thanks.

[jdunca12]

Also having talked to the recruiter last night, she said that I could expect 1.8-1.9 M in a public school at 5 hours a day, and 2.1-2.2 M in a private school, 6 hours a day.

I was reading a thread here that said 1.8 was ridiculously low. With no experience and no certifications there isn't much I can do to change this though is there? I will take the certification once I get to Korea, I just don't have the money to do it right now.

[openeyes]

If you're thinking of EPIK, you can see the pay scale for various areas/experience levels here:

http://www.epik.go.kr/category/detail.epik?cid=3

As for passports, apply as soon as you can and consider paying to have it rushed if you can afford it. Depending on how busy the office is, it can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6+ months. A professor friend almost had to cancel a trip to Greece because her passport didn't arrive until the day before she was flying out, 6 months after she'd applied to have it renewed.

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html

[jdunca12]

[openeyes]

I grew up 30 minutes outside of Charlotte, near Dallas/Gastonia, then moved to Chapel Hill in '02 for college.

The main part of the application process I'm concerned about is recommendation letters. It seems my best best would be two professors I house sat for. If/when I go back to school I'll make a point of collecting recommendations from teachers that like me, and will do the same with employers.

[munybse]

I recently got my first passport. From date of application to date of delivery it was actually under 4 weeks so they must be running through them fairly quick right now.

[jdunca12]

[munybse]

[cucumber]

[asams]

jdunca, where exactly are you from? I'm from Lincolnton, went to school in Chapel Hill.

I'll try to be of more help later tonight when I have a little bit more time to post something useful.

[ABC KID]