Korean Job Discussion Forums

[grainger]

...or at least the next few years?

This is just what I've been pondering recently and since I'm bored and rather tired I thought I'd post it up here for fun.

Here's the details:

I'm a certified Canadian high school teacher (English, Theatre, and Guidance). This job offers decent pay - great pay if you can stay with the same school board for a few years and get a regular job. An awesome pension, a strong union, great vacation time, and comes with all the nice little benefits like a dental package.

The downfall of this job is mainly the stress. When you have a job there are: Long hours, intense planning and marking, coaching and extracurricular duties (especially as a theatre teacher) and of course snowflake children and their over protective parents; or their opposites which are just as bad. (Very few nice, normal people left in the world - or so it sometimes seems.)

There is also the fact that teaching jobs (especially full-time contract positions) are becoming damn near impossible to find; so during those long summers of unemployment you never know where your next job (and paycheck) might come from.

Option 2:

If I go home to start my own daycare then I would get to be my own boss, work from home and set my own schedule. I've worked as a live in nanny in the past and know what kind of stresses can come from having a house full of kids but I find the company of young children more relaxing and rewarding (at least on some levels) then that of their older peers.

The downfall to option 2 would be that I would have to pay to rent a full size house as soon as I get home, plus other start up costs, and the uncertainty of finding clients. If, for whatever reason, it doesn't work out I would be out a lot of money. The vacation would be more or less non-existent, and I would have to look after all the little things like my own retirement savings (which to some degree I would with teaching as well) and dental, etc.

So there you have it. Suggestions welcome.

[hondaicivic]

[cyui]

I voted for starting your own business ( can't go wrong with being ones' own boss)

[gypsymaria]

If you can get a hold of a small business loan, I'd say go for starting up the daycare. I was a nanny before coming to Korea myself, and I've gotta say, I LOVE working with little kids vs high/middle school aged kids.

In the end, though, it really comes down to what works best for you, both in terms of financial stability and personal fulfillment. To that end, I wish you the best of luck in either endeavor.

[Tundra_Creature]

You seem to be more keen on the daycare thing, so I would say go for that. Though to be honest, owning a daycare sounds like a whole lot more work than being a highschool teacher even with all the marking, extra curricular, etc.


Or, you can go back to school and start a completely new career as well. :3

[Louis VI]

An experienced high school guidance counsellor asking for my advice on her career future? *blink* Now THAT I'd never expected.

Suggestion: Don't go back to your old job. Never go back.

[silkhighway]

If you're seriously thinking about starting your own business but not sure where to start, I strongly recommend making a business plan first. It's a good idea to see a small business consultant to help you write the plan and advise you on the next steps if you decide you want to go through with it. You should also check out what government small business programs are available, you may be eligible for loans, burseries, or training programs.

[silkhighway]

Another thing, starting your own successful small business will not be less work than being a high school teacher and that would be the wrong reason to do it. Babysitting the kids would be the least of your responsibilities.

[grainger]

Wow, I just got my first topic reply notification today. I thought this thread had died.

@ hondaicivic - I've considered going somewhere in the middle east but I just feel like it's time to go home - I've been here for 5 years and I haven't been home in almost 3. I'm not saying I'll stay there forever but I'd like to spend some serious time with family and friends before heading out on my next adventure.

@ gypsymaria - I was also a live in Nanny back in university. So I know what it means to be kid-centered for a huge portion of your day. It's a bit like being a stay-at-home mom for the rest of your life.

@ silkhighway - I'd start small and just be a home-based daycare for the first year or so and then see about expanding if I'm successful.

@ Louis VI - I said I was certified; not experienced. I got my guidance qualifications through an online Professional Development course while living in Korea, so I've not yet had an opportunity to practice those skills

When I think about giving up teaching forever it does make me a little sad but nothing is really forever. Teaching is one of those rare professions that you can break into at almost any age. In some ways I think it almost works better as a second career so that you come into it with a bit more worldly experience. I absolutely love the teaching part of the job. It's exciting and rewarding. The rest of it can also be seriously draining.

If I start the daycare I would have the luxury of being able to start my own family while still working. Teaching wouldn't offer me that. I'm leaning toward running a daycare for at least the next 5 years and then perhaps going back into teaching; but if I make this choice who knows what might happen between now and then. I could be that I love running a daycare, both for its freedoms and challenges - It could be that I hate it. All we can do is make a decision based on what fits best in the moment.

[grainger]

My voters seem to be as on the fence as I am right now.

[Unposter]

I don't normally respond to threads like this but...if you are on the fence, don't start your own business. If it is not a passion, the chances of failure are going to be much higher. A lot of people like the idea of starting their own business but not everyone likes what it takes to do it.

I hope this post makes you angry and start yelling, hey, that's not me, I can do this, but if it doesn't, go back to teaching.

You can always start a business later when it really is your passion.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[smurfetta]

I would go back into teaching and build up enough hours for Mat leave if I were you. I think it would be very difficult to take care of your own baby plus a couple other babies and toddlers. I know it can be done but do you really want that. I stayed home with my son for the first 15 months and am glad that I had that time with him. Just thought I'd point that out. If you are serious about being a mom and running a daycare at the same time, then I would get some feedback from moms that have been there and done that. Check out the forum on mothering.com and post your query there. I'm sure you will get some good advice there.

Just one more idea- Have you thought about going back to grad school and getting into Educational research. Just wanted to throw that idea out there.

Good luck with whatever you chose.

[recessiontime]

I logged in just to say daycare sounds like a brilliant option.

[TECO]

Tough decision though, isn't it - Daycare or public school teacher.

Good luck with that.