Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mix1 · Joined: 08 May 2007

Advice appreciated.

I've got to get a graduate degree soon. I want to get something useful that will get me a good job and pay the bills. I'm teaching in Korea now but I'm ready to leave fairly soon. I could stay a bit and do an online graduate degree (not TESL related, I'm over it) while working and save more money. Or, I could go back, bite the bullet, and get into a grad program in person, while going broke for the time being of course.

In either case, I'm considering an MBA. I would love to own my own business and be financially independent someday, but am skeptical how much an MBA can help with that goal and whether or not an MBA is much of a meal ticket these days anyway since there may be too many in the market now.

I'm also considering an MPA or MPP graduate degree (public administration/public policy). This would prime me for a government position or policy wonk sort of position, either in government or in some sort of non profit or maybe consulting work. Seems I could focus on areas of policy that interest me, so in that regard it could be good, plus it could be a stable meal ticket...if government jobs keep hiring after all the budget cuts.

and a distant third...I'd like to be a writer too, but skeptical I could pay any bills this way. It would be really dreamy to enroll in a creative writing program, but I just can't see this as being a very stable career decision. But I'd say I'm more the creative type and less the academic/policy/finance type, even if I do have the potential to do those things, I'm not sure I'd thrive doing any of them.

However, I do need to get finances and a solid career in order fairly soon. Money is a big motivator for me, but is not the only thing. Tips?

peppermint · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:39 am Post subject:

If you want to keep earning money, and work on the MBA at the same time, you might look into this: http://www.businessschool-sejong.ac.kr/academic/academic01.html. I know a couple of people that did it and had good things to say. You might consider marketing as a specialization, as it would let you indulge your creative side somewhat.