Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Fox]

[NYC_Gal]

I had no student debt. I worked throughout my university and grad school years and didn't take out one loan. I also had to pay rent in an extremely expensive city. It's possible. I didn't sleep much, but I got through it.

And yes, I know that NYC doesn't represent America as a whole. I'm just giving one example of a BA not being as valuable. Also, people earn far more in NYC. A reception job there earns approximately 15 dollars an hour (often more).

Sure, loads of adults survive and even do quite well without degrees. It doesn't negate that fact that becoming a high-income earner often (not always) becomes easier with advanced degrees.

Education in and of itself should be a goal, in my opinion. But, of course, I want to be a student until I'm a granny

[recessiontime]

you paid for your BA and MA with part time work?

When exactly did you go to school? What did you do exactly, pole-dancing?

Seriously.

[Draz]

[NYC_Gal]

[recessiontime]

I asked when did you go to school. Through what year or time period. Also how much was tuition costs then?

If this was way back, it would be possible to work off the cost of tuition but I think it's not like anymore as tuition costs these days are not something you can pay off with a part time job. It would make sense you took a some years off in between.

I'm not hating! It's great you have no loans, you are one of the exceptional people that won't be buried in debt for the rest of your life. I am just curious how it's possible for a person to not have debt with the high tuition costs these days.

[NYC_Gal]

[AsiaESLbound]

Yes tuition went up drastically during the 2000's. If you went to school in the 90's then you could do it with little or no debt, but in the 2000's, it's not uncommon to borrow $25,000 to $40,000 even though a student worked to pay his or her living expenses. Things have been very tight for many in this past decade and still are largely getting worse. Because of the global economy pushing American worker wages down to compete with 3rd world countries, it's well know fact degrees aren't paying off so it's hard to place a value on them.

An education really is too subjective to place a monetary value on. Fact is, many who didn't go to college and working in skilled trades are paid more and able to pay their debts such as mortgages. I've heard of many graduates going into plumbing, truck driving, and other such work to get out of debt who will probably eventually go into a small business of their own. A successful self employment is where the money is; not jobs, but it takes money to get a venture off the ground just as it did to get an education. The difference is a well thought out $40,000 investment into a venture such as a restaurant or skill trade practice has more economic opportunity potential than applying for jobs upon receiving a $40,000 degree. If I can one day achieve self employment, then my education paid off allowing me to gain valuable experience and knowledge to give me the skills to do a business.

It's true a smart motivated individual can read books and internet to gain business and scientific knowledge as it's all freely available, but the idea is a degree qualifies you for unique opportunities like it did for us to go teach in Korea. Though not high paying, it offers an opportunity to broaden our horizons and save up a few critically needed dollars at the same time. I am approaching this from the perspective of not having a silver spoon and an inheritance.

[recessiontime]

AsiaESLbound, I hope you do realize that a BA getting you job in Korea is a relatively recent development. From what I hear there was a time when all you needed was a high school diploma and before that a high school drop out could get a job here and there.

After I left Korea, I've noticed that they slowly raised the requirements, asking for certs and becoming more choosy in general. There will come a time when getting into Korea with just a BA will be very difficult - sort of like Japan now. Incentives like free apartment may also disappear. They may just start asking for MA's or people with several years of experience. Years will pass and we'll hear people on Dave's asserting the benefits of an overpriced MA because it still gets you a job in Korea.

[jomiro]

i went to one of the best universities in germany. yet, in asia or the rest of the world it doesnt help me anything, as nobody knows it.

my degree, id say, is pretty worthless as well. chinese and business management in asia.. eh. cant do much with it.
competing with the oh so diligently studying chinese and business management is too general. yah, im pretty much fcked.

[itaewonguy]

basically it's worth an ARC CARD! to teach in Korea..
the cheaper you paid for yours the better!
end of the day it does the same as anyone else's over here..