Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zulethe]

Pros: vacation, sometimes pay

Vacation is a con for me because I'd go nuts with that much time off and I'd end up spending a lot of my savings


Cons: beaurocracy, insolent petty students, evaluations of you, grading, pay, lack of job security and that's all I can think of for now.


I currently make 2.7 at a public school and I am very happy and I don't have to deal with all the BS that comes with working at a university. So why go through with it?

I've read enough posts to know to stay away from universities. I just don't get it so please enlighten me.

Of course I'm not talking about tenured professors at elite universities in Korea. You are an anomaly.

I'm talking about the 2.2 million guy working 12 hours a week who has to put up with a bunch of bs.

Please don't mention status cause trust me no one in Korea looks up to you because you work at a university except aforementioned anomaly above.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

[Draz]

But what about the prestige??

[withnail]

Zulethe wrote:

[cdninkorea]

Two reasons:

1) Vacation. This is a priority for me. I want time in the summer to spend with friends and family, and time in the winter to explore exciting parts of the world (preferably warm ones).

2) Lesson Preparation Time. I love having low teaching hours because it keeps my enthusiasm high when I'm teaching, and I can put lots of time and energy into giving great lessons.

I used to work in a public school, but I hated the environment: hierarchy, nosy co-workers, too many students, etc. Teaching at an adult hagwon was really great except for the lack of vacation.

[Demophobe]

[cubanlord]

I'll tell you why, Z. Because.....meh, nevermind.

[nautilus]

I turned down a fairly good uni position.

I wouldn't want to teach that agegroup. I also like to be busy every day... not have only 2 classes per 24 hours. I'm probably a rare exception, but I prefer teaching kids...not adults. Adults can be too demanding, complex and tricky in my exp. Teaching kids on the other hand.. is fun. I enjoy my job.

[the_beaver]

[Mithrae]

I agree. I have absolutely no interest in five month vacations. People with uni. jobs like to boast about it, but I seriously doubt that they really enjoy such long holidays. After a couple of weeks off I'm itching to get back to work. Five months of diddling would drive me insane. I like teaching - I have no interest in taking five months vacation from it.

Secondly, who would want to work at a university that hires people with four year degrees and calls them professors. And the brilliant thing is, these people with undregrad degrees dress up in suits and walk about with airs - as if they actually were professors. If I want to be a professor I'll get my PHD (I already have a Masters) and get a job as a real professor back home. Not 'pretend play' being a professor in Korea.

[Mithrae]

[Demophobe]

[ntwrightsmom]

Yes, it's a terrible job. Don't apply.

[Konglishman]

To the people who object to 5 months of vacation:

I have to say that is a rather strange objection. If you don't want to take the time off, then it will often be possible to teach summer or winter classes. Also, depending on the university, it may even be possible to get permission to work at other jobs during your summer and winter vacations. Finally, I might add some people like to spend some of that vacation time getting papers published.

[thomas pars]

*beep*