Korean Job Discussion Forums

[some waygug-in]

A lot of what makes Korea "worth it" or not worth it will depend on you and your attitude.

Are you good at fighting off negativity?


Are you willing to make the best in a difficult often nonsensical situation?


Are you willing to be a dancing clown if that's the kind of job you get?


Are you going to complain about anything and everything that doesn't make sense to you?


Not saying you will land that kind of job, but the better jobs are hard to find and as Patrick says you need some qualifications to get them.

[bobbybigfoot]

[earthquakez]

Semi-fly - of course it's still worth it. Although my jobs in Korea have all been below what I've done outside Korea in Japan, Taiwan and the UK in terms of responsibilities, variety, and renumeration, it's still a fairly decent job and life if you want to start teaching English or enjoy teaching English like those of us who have done it for some time.

If you don't have actual teaching credentials that is not a problem. There are a fair number of foreign English teachers who are over qualified by their experience for teaching in Korea unless that's at a university. Your qualifications are what is needed for most English teaching jobs in Korea.

You won't be able to be fussy about where you go because increasingly those fining jobs in Seoul are already in Korea and have contacts or will transfer their E-2 visas. Getting hired outside the country usually means less choice in location.

Location can affect some people (I knew people who were incredibly unhappy in Jeollanam Do, south west) especially when it's so far away from Seoul that it takes over 3 hours one way with the fastest transportation and you are not near the big city of Busan (down in the south east). But there are many locations that are not that far.

[Hotpants]

From all your concerns that you list about teaching in Korea, it sounds like you have been spending too long on Dave's! It's very easy to get a purely negative impression of what's going on here if you just get all your info from this forum.

If you're saying that you want to come here to 'broaden your horizons', then, maybe. I'd say that working in another country can definitely reveal a lot more about a country than just traveling. However, again, I would ask what your longer-term goal is, since a year or more in Korea will generally be viewed as 'working-travel-backpacking-escapism' by employers back home. (Again, my own experience).

Maybe think a bit more about whether there might be another country that would give you more package bolstering in the long term as well as broadening your experience. (Such as more widely demanded language skills, working in a company that's more relevant to your long-term field, making future business contacts, etc.)

[isitts]

[semi-fly]

bobbybigfoot: Glad I made you chuckle, that'll be two-bits now.

earthquakez: I don't really have any interest teaching in Seoul, at least not right away. In one of my previous posts I suggested Busan and Incheon specifically because I knew positions in Seoul would be filled rather quickly. I also like the idea of those two cities because of there proximity to the ocean. On the off chance I want to visit Seoul I can always hop on a train or bus, as I understand it the public transportation system in Korea is pretty good except during national holidays.

I can understand why so many people wish to work in Seoul or one of its various suburbs (Itaewon for example) due to its expat population and it semblances of normalcy instead of requesting a rural position where expats are few in numbers. I don't have this kind of problem [though it's entirely possible for it to develop at some point after the "honeymoon" period].

In terms of thinking long term, it still relates to teaching though in one fields I majored in if/when I return from Korea. Given the number of educators being let go [budgetary reasons and/or tenure teachers staying on longer due to a poor economy]. It's better to play it by ear/look at it one year at a time instead saying I'll be a life long expat, etc.

Hotpants: Most certainly. I've spent too much time on Dave's over the years and allowed all of the negativity to cloud my perception of numerous posters experiences in Korea. Unfortunately when you read numerous posts about people not being paid on time, the occasional fight [both physical and emotional] between ones boss or landlord over the most basic of things. Posts by those who've had little or no problems during their time in Korea get buried.

isitts: I already have one degree. I'm completing my second degree in May.

Did they change regulations/guidelines recently or are state/local background checks still valid?

I've talked with Rowan during my last attempt to find a position [I was looking for a position in/around Gangwon-do].

I've heard similar stories about public schools, well at least fewer horror stories about them. I've read quite a few threads about the differences one can expect in both types of institutions. I'm sure I'll revisit some in the near future.

I'm aware of some of the perks of living and working in Korea, the idea of rent-free housing, severance, and pension are intriguing for sure but going along with previous comments they can also be a root cause to ones problems. Then again that's how a lot of expats are able to save so much money during their stay.

[northway]

It sounds like you're a certified teacher. If so, you can totally get a position in Seoul and make bank, if you want to.

Yes, they no longer accept state background checks.

[tomstar86]

I'm sorry, "meagre" wages?? 2 million won plus isn't bad money.

If your intention in coming to Korea is to become a millionaire, however, stay home. Don't be one of the jackasses that comes to Korea, uses it without trying to get to know the country and then bitches when they've had a miserable year with nothing to show for it.

Oh, and Busan sucks.

As a relative old-timer, however, I love living in Korea and it's totally worth it. I've made some great friends, have a wonderful job that I enjoy, and am getting ever closer to paying off my debt.

http://waegooktom.blogspot.com

[Junior]

[ssuprnova]

As some people have already mentioned, it all depends on your mindset.

Complete newbie perspective working at a hagwon: it's a good gig between my BA and MA. The pay is adequate for a recent grad, the locals are (generally) friendly, it's an easy job, and a great opportunity to travel around Asia. Oh, and the nightlife is great. As long as you treat it as a gig, you can smile, nod, and continue not giving a flying ^^ about the 1001 extra things your boss asks you to do. Sure, you're easily replaced. But so are they...

Coming from Canada, it took me a month to get to Seoul from the moment I started gathering my documents. If I had to go through the same process as Americans, though, I would probably not have bothered with Korea.

[Vagabundo]

[NohopeSeriously]

[marsavalanche]

[NohopeSeriously]