Korean Job Discussion Forums

[recessiontime]

When you are in Korea teaching, do you think about how to move up in the world?

My experience was teaching in a high school was basically being in autopilot. Living day to day with tomorrow's lesson plan in mind. Other than that it was scheming on how to avoid spending time with my co-teachers who wanted to showcase me to their family.

I was so busy in Korea, I barely had any time for myself. I'm thinking that the situation is similar for others in Korea. I also rarely hear talks about this type of issue on this forum which lead me to this conclusion.

[comm]

1. Keep teaching in Korea and hope that the experience at a hagwan (or hopefully public school) will propel me to university teaching.

2. Keep teaching and get a masters while in Korea.

3. Save money doing #1 then go back to the states for a masters in English or education and/or CELTA.

I might take a second year teaching (plan #1) and see how my finances and job opportunities look after that. Personally, I think of the future now more than ever since I'm actually saving money AND have clear options for career advancement.

[Globutron]

Teach and earn money.

Use money to build on future career - as in, Soft and hardware for music production.

Use spare time to improve on portfolio and all round compositional ability.

After enough time I should be ready to begin a career in this area. Not for a few years yet.

After that I'll save enough for a masters, and much later than that, start on maths and eventually physics degree when I'm like 40.

[Louis VI]

Move up?

I hiked the Seogwipo Forest park trails on the side of Jeju's Mt. Halla today and got two upcoming dates out of it from Koreans playing matchmaker. Does that count? I do look forward to getting married and having kids. With patience it's just a matter of time.

As for my profession, nothing about teaching seems like autopilot to me. It's up and down every day from one class to the next. Teaching is challenging and a constant learning and improving experience. As I enter my ninth year, I find my lessons never get stale as I keep myself and them interested with new material and techniques, researching and experimenting with approaches and really honing the craft. I do look forward to finishing my DELTA. I never work in the mornings so I have plenty of free time to do so.

I live on the 7th floor of a 7-floor building so unless I wanna talk them into making a rooftop apartment, I'm as high as can be here. I do look forward in the medium term (5 to 7 years from now) to living in a house with a small orchard alongside (or at least treed), pretty common here on the southern coast. Most might consider that a step down, but not based on what I value.

I drive a 2005 Korando and the only car I'd want to replace it with is a Jeep, and really it's not worth it, all things considered.

There are other ambitions and projects I'm involved in that ought not be confused with the more narrowly middle class status conscious expression "moving up in the world". After all, I am happy with what I have in terms of finances, debt free, and really my ambitions are not career or $$$ related.

For example, I run a hockey history draft online with some real knowledgeable sports fans and I'm considering co-authoring a book on the top thousand players of all time, presently researching and reflecting on the outline of the project. I'm into jazz and am every week discovering new works, planning to attend at least one major jazz festival in the future, Havana on my mind. I am a voracious reader of novels and see no end in sight, except mercifully if I get into kindle instead of my growing library. I'd like to move up from my runners to some decent hiking boots, and will shop for my size 12-13s on my next trip abroad. I have raised two jindo dogs, had a cat and a hamster, two birds and plants while in Korea, each ending up being given away to others for various reasons. I plan to raise and keep long term a terrier (or lab) and at least two cats, starting with one adult female feline from a local animal shelter in the coming weeks.

I agree one needs to have a strategy for achieving one's goals. Too many talk about what they want 'some day' with no actions toward attaining those things. Take steps now toward what you want.

[Chris.Quigley]

I am back in Canada becoming an accountant... Why limit yourself to a life an an English teacher? From what a lot of people say, and my experience was the same, being an English teacher is a life of living day to day, planning lessons, and stressing one's self out. Then there is the lack of respect, living in a country where a majority wish you weren't there, and a life of mediocrity not developing as a person. So... My question is... Why would you want to go back to school and get a masters in TESOL/TEFL if you don't really like the work you are doing now... You may get paid better, you may have a better working environment, but if you don't like the job you will eventually get bored and will continue to complain. And do not be an English teacher just because you like the life you are living in Korea... Whatever life you think you are enjoying now... you need to ask yourself... In ten years will I still be able to enjoy that life? (Eg. "Korean girls think I am hot now... will they always think that?" and "Drinking every night is cool now, but will my liver kick the bucket in 10 years if I continue this way?")

You also need to think longer term. The economy isn't always going to be bad. And if the economy is bad for the next 10+ years, eventually the comfy TESL teacher life will disappear(if the world cannot feed its children, learning English will not be important anymore. You will have bigger things to worry about if the economy is the same as it is now in 10 years. (Sadly... it may turn out that way)

What you need to do is look at what jobs pay well, have a future, and you might enjoy doing. I recently found that accounting was my forte. There are things about accounting that I don't like but I can live with them.

But, if you love being an English teacher and you don't mind the negatives that come with it, then go for it!

[Died By Bear]

To move up


You have to find something you like to do that earns coin, and become an expert at it. You have to prove *by cert or by wrk experience/knowldege* that you are one of the best on the market at that particular skill. Then you can move up. Good luck.

[redaxe]

I moved back to the US a few months ago and I'm taking the GMAT in one week, hopefully I get into a good MBA program. Failing that, stay at my current job until I can't stand it anymore and then look for a new job?

[Died By Bear]

[jlb]

Saving lots of money while here in Korea. Investing it in dividend paying stocks so hopefully I won't need to work, but could choose to in about 10 years from now.

I'm one step away from becoming a scuba diving instructor. This will be my career after teaching, if everything works out.

[grant_steves]

[Xylox]

[AsiaESLbound]

An MBA with a specialization in logistics and import/export would be great sans the costs.


How do you get a job in this market without experience? Looking for and landing a good job is a catch 22 kick in the nutz job. Everywhere I looked in the past 9 years, the employers aren't willing to take fresh grads and career changers even though you have the knowledge and skills to make a perfect fit and could do great quality work.

Are people lying about their experience by self teaching how to talk about the technical aspects of the job they are seeking? You know they can't verify overseas experience and many people you might had worked with and for in the past moved on, but you can impress by demonstrating your comprehension as if you have done it should you embrace the science of business talk and the technical processes related to what you are trying to get a foot in. You'd be surprised how much you can learn online on your own. As with being too honest, they can only say no or never correspond with you again. It's worth a try in this tight market.

[DeMayonnaise]

I try not to worry what other people think of me. I'm happy with what I'm doing right now...I have a good job that I enjoy going to, no debt, lots of friends, and enjoying life. Why would I want to change? Eventually I'll go home and "grow up", but right now its pretty good.

[ttompatz]

[Stan Rogers]