Korean Job Discussion Forums

[grizzlyb]

i am considering working for the princeton review korea this summer, and i am wondering if there is anything, either good or bad, that might help me making a decision about this position. please share your thoughts. greatly appreciated!!!

[El Macho]

What are the hours and the pay like?

[grizzlyb]

i am supposed to work 8 hours at 25000 won per hour. but i am concerned because i heard that you get 5000 won per hour if you are only proctoring an exam. i don't mind doing some proctoring but i don't want to be stuck doing that for 8 hours a day.

[El Macho]

I did SAT last summer, and I think 25,000/hr is low. Some of the other workers at my hakwon were still in undergrad, and they were earning 30,000+/hr. People with experience made much more. If you've ever taught PR before or have a uni degree, I'd ask for more. (I assume you've got high SAT scores...)

Find out if the 8 hrs includes planning & prep time, or if you're expected to do that outside of regular hours. Also, is the 8 hrs a block, or spread out? You could wind up being there 8-8 or something equally horrible.

[grizzlyb]

I do have a university degree and a masters. I am just taking this summer to go to korea before i start med school this fall. Are you working at PR or somewhere else? Is your hakwon hiring for the summer? Btw.. it's an 8hr block schedule. Prep time is not included in those 8 hours..

[El Macho]

Since you can also do MCAT prep, you can earn much more money than that. One of the better known SAT/MCAT hakwons is Hoyah. Give them a google. You can probably find an SAT/MCAT hakwon that'll let you start earlier than June, too. Start earning and saving now.

[grizzlyb]

Thank you so much for the advice. It's just a bit frustrating trying to find a job without knowing much about the field... nonetheless exciting! I will google Hoyah and see. Thanks!

[Satchel Paige]

grizzly,

I would like to talk with you some more re: the princeton review

please check your pm box

[ulsanchris]

Different branches have different management. One place might be okay while another might be bad.

[yashi]

Grizzly,

25,000 won/hour = the lowest rate for test prep in Korea that I know. Expect 16-24 hours a month at the even lower proctor rate.

A masters (I assume in some science related field) and acceptance to medical school probably qualifies you to teach SAT II science/math subject tests and AP science/math. Therefore, I believe you probably have other options for work.

[qrstuv]

Satchel,

Have you worked at princeton review before?
How was your experience, etc?

Thanks,

[zathman]

I had a question for you folks. I have a MS degree in Chemistry and a 98th percentile MCAT score, does that qualify me to work in these better jobs? Besides Hoyah, are there any other academies you might suggest? (I can't PM yet, I don't have enough posts).

[Satchel Paige]

[kimchiramyun]

im working there this summer. i have friends who work there, and as long as you get along with the people, they said it's pretty decent. it is not the best pay, but they give you alot of hours with opportunities for overtime, so you can earn quite a bit in your short stay.

[rightwing]