Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Katie26]

Hi guys,

Ok guys so I've been in korea for nearly a year now and looking at my options for what to do afterwards. Basically I'm not willing to sign up for another year 'just' teaching. I'd want some other responsibilities maybe managing staff, training etc. I have some prior management experience at home and was wondering how realistic/feasible this is to do in Asia. If any of you could offer some advice it would be much appreciated

I'm guessing Korea would be the best bet but would certainly consider other Asian countries.

[8 years down]

I taught at hagwons and public schools for 6 years before finally getting a "non-teaching" position. It isn't easy to find one, but they are out there. Some companies are looking for people to manage teachers, or write textbooks, curriculum, or do editing or quality control.

The difficult thing is that these companies don't usually sponsor working Visas. I only have my current job because I'm on an F2.

Do you work in the public school system? or at a Hagwon? Some of the bigger hagwon franchises that do their own curriculum development have those types of positions, but they often promote from within.

Good luck in your search.

[mc_jc]

Do you speak Korean?
DO you speak Korean?
DO YOU speak Korean?
DO YOU SPEAK Korean?
DO YOU SPEAK KOREAN?

Do you see where I am going with this?

All jokes aside, unless it is a foreign company or you have to have a skill that can't be found in Korea or is in short supply. Also, you have to keep in mind that many foreign companies tend to hire their non-Korean staff outside the country (but there are exceptions to the rule).
But there are still many options; you could start your own company (though in this economic climate, it would've be a preferred option at the moment). You could also be a recruiter. Have you thought about applying to universities and colleges? Many who have stayed in the system for a while tend to apply to the many universities and colleges around the country.


Added~
Have you thought about China?
Right now, there is a huge hiring blitz over there and they are hiring foreigners with professional experience and have little to no Chinese linguistic ability. They get paid either the same as they would in the west (based on their experience) or alittle less. A friend of mine is the sole English instructor at a Chinese hospital and he is making about $3500US a month. Despite what you hear, there is money to be made in China.

As for non-ESL jobs in Korea, I'd suggest you do a search here and also do a sample job search in the career field you are interested in doing here so you get an idea of what companies here look for.


Good luck

[redaxe]

[Lunar Groove Gardener]

Within the teaching industry management and program development is best served by those with a proven committment in the field of education.

You might research companies in your home country which have Korean counterparts. Then contact them with a resume that emphasises skills and experiences which cater to the type of position which they may have and lays out your career goals.

In this way your inquiries will fall upon willing ears and you'll perhaps get a more meaningful response.

[morrisonhotel]

[Katie26]

Thanks for your advice all , definitely some food for thought.

[PRagic]

I have a few friends who are financial editors, and they all started out as teachers. They have E-7 visas, extended contracts, and make more money than anyone I've ever met in Korea working in management, bar none. Not all positions at all places pay the same, and there is a pecking order largely based on 1) type of degree, 2) experience, and 3) ability (catch 22 as you need the experience to increase ability). Only people I've met who've come close to or surpassed clearing that amount of coin have been in finance.

Writing for a company? Wouldn't wast my time unless you just wanted to get in, get trained up on writing for a particular purpose (e.g. a specific test), and get out to make a go of it on your own. Those places milk you hard and make a bundle and a half off of your work. Daunting prospect with little long-term upside other than managing others naive enough to take the job.

Managing teachers? Usually involves a little more pay, and you're basically the go-between for the Korean management so that they don't have to deal with foreigner teachers. Bad news? Deliver it...oh, and you'll also be teaching today. Again, only the naive take these jobs; they're burned out from being overused as a teacher and want to get into 'management'. No go.

Corporate jobs? Possible, but the people I've known over the year who have gone that route have all quit in a matter of years. As a previous poster mentioned, you're looking at little responsibility, a lot of corporate culture infusion, long days, little vacation, and, in the end, not much to put on your resume.

Own your own hakwon? Yeesh. What a headache. There have been posts upon posts dealing with the intracacies of this process, and none have made the prospect flattering. If you have the visa, better to just open a study room at your own place and hunker down.

There are opportunities out there. It is a tough place to make it unless you come in with a corporationg. You can also make a lucrative place for yourself here on your own, but, then again, the system works in favour of Kyopo and spouses of Koreans.

This could go on and on....but it won't.

[IlIlNine]

[edwardcatflap]

[redaxe]

[edwardcatflap]

Yes I think in the UK if someone volunteered information on how much money they made in a way that wasn't self-depreciating, most people would just think they were a *beep*/idiot/jerk. Meanwhile people don't like to ask others about their salaries in case they are ashamed at how little they earn. When people are asked occasionally they often fob the questioner off with phrases like 'not enough'. Consequently I don't know what any of my friends (not in my profession) , or even members of my immediate family, make

[PRagic]

Before this gets out of hand, I only know what they make because a few of them asked me for advice during the initial and follow up interviews and when they were up for promotions or pay hikes. I've seen them rise through the ranks from when this wasn't even a viable career option in Korea.

Nough said. Move along. Nothing to see here...

[edwardcatflap]

[red_devil]