Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MissSayuri]

Hi all,

My boyfriend just moved back to Seoul for a great job opportunity and now i am seriously planning on moving there.

Background: I've been working 7 years as a web designer at small agencies and a corporate company. While i consider myself professional and with a ton of skills, i am unsure of how i can land a web design job there.

I'm a bit unsure what to do. How to find a job.

While i was considering teaching English to make some money on the side, i can't even qualify for an E2 visa because I don't have a degree. I only have a community college diploma however i've transferred that diploma over and am now in 3rd year of a degree program(part time).

On the other hand my best shot would be to apply for a web designer position. My boyfriend told me that learning the Korean language would increase my chances greatly which is why i'm studying like a mad woman but it's been hard.

I have very basic Tarjan like knowledge of Korean. I know the alphabet, some vocabulary but can barely put basic sentences together "yet".

ahhhhh not sure what to do. What are my options?

FYI i can also speak conversational mandarin and cantonese.

Can anyone shed some advice or knowledge?

Thank you so much.
Aisa

[Missihippi]

i'm usually not a negative poster, but it seems that you are putting more into this relationship than he is.

Bottem line: you don't qualify for an E-2 unless you have a 4 year degree.

The people i know in Korea that do work for computer companies all have at least 4 year degrees and they still don't have a proper visa (read: they have to make visa runs every 3 months).

My suggestion is to finish your degree at home and consider playing the field.

[busanliving]

Have a look at the TALK programme, it's a lower salary than if you have a complete degree but it is for people who are part way through their degrees.

[MissSayuri]

[Otherside]

All you are asking for are employment options?

Without a degree, your LEGAL employment options = ZERO.

1. Can't get an E2 visa and can't teach. (except for TALK, but I think that's drawing to a close, and even if there are spots available, you're looking at March at the earliest).

2. Can't get a job doing something else (eg Web-design), because you aren't qualified to get a visa.

Do you want to fly over there, work illegally, and very likely either get screwed by your employer (as an illegal worker, you have NO recourse), or possibly get busted by immigration, which would mean a couple nights in jail and a fat fine. If not, work overtime, finish your degree, and come over legally in a year's time.

[MissSayuri]

i got the answer i needed.