Korean Job Discussion Forums

myenglishisno · Joined: 08 Mar 2011 Location: Geumchon

Deleted.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I was 27 when I first came over to work. 4 years in the Army and finishing up the BA took that much time. I started with people mostly my age, but a couple were younger and a couple were older. Didn't matter much.

If you stay and work, you'll find that the first few years are characterized by a revolving door-type social scene. After a few years, end especially if you make the move to university work, you'll network in with people who are more serious about their work and more apt to be long-termers.

By the time I had my first university job, everyone was about the same age (late 20s to early-mid 30s). Now, my close circle of friends are all in their 40s. The 'newbie' has been here about 10 years or so, and a lot of us are at the 15-20 year mark.

Don't let the age thing bug you. Things work themselves out as long as you invest in yourself and continue to work your way up the food chain.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I was about 40 when I first went to Korea, 41 when I first taught in a kiddie hagwon.

I probably would have done better if I had started younger, but then again

who knows really?

I have friends who are in their 60's working in hakwons, so it's really up to you and what you make of it.

What older teachers lack in energy, they tend to more than make up for in experience and knowing what to do.

If you feel like life is leaving you behind, you can still work on a distance
MA. and move up to a better job, if that's what you want.

ZIFA · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 6:16 am Post subject:

silkhighway · Joined: 24 Oct 2010 Location: Canada

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I met a few (not many) older ex-pats when I went to Korean classes.

There were also some more mature teachers working at public schools and I met them at meetings etc.

I always lived and worked near Busan though, so I don't know much about Seoul.

Also, when I worked in smaller towns, I tended to meet all the FT's in the area. There seemed to be more older teachers in the rural areas.

Riker · Joined: 28 Dec 2010

I just turned 29 and this will be my first time in South Korea.

creeper1 · Joined: 30 Jan 2007

I'm glad you put "career" in inverted commas becsaue it isn't really one. A while back there was a thread named "to those over 30 and in Korea." There are some contributions in that thread by a poster named Kimpop. They were very insightful.

ESL Milk "Everyday · Joined: 12 Sep 2007

If it's something that you enjoy doing, then you should do it. If you don't enjoy doing it, don't do it.

Don't worry about what you're 'supposed' to be doing, unless you feel like you're really coming up short in life... then figure out what you want to do and do it.

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

I'm 23 and went through the party face a lot sooner than most people. Can't stand hanging around any of the new kids fresh outta school. They can't drink and spend all their time at ridiculously posh night clubs. There's plenty of older teachers in Korea. Most of em aren't in hagwons, they made the move to unis or ps a long time ago.

myenglishisno · Joined: 08 Mar 2011 Location: Geumchon

millyfrend · Joined: 29 Apr 2010

You're never too old to change things up in your life. The important thing is too be happy, cause life is short.

southernman · Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: On the mainland again

You are roughly a third of your way through life.

So yes you are too old for the job if you think you are. The attitude to age is subjective in many way's and it appears that you have chosen to become old before your time.

In my time I've met a 19 yr old female solo mom with a mortage who had the energy and vigour not to mention demeanor of someone in their mid sixties who had had a hard life.

However, I also met a Canadian grandmother who was in her mid sixties who was backpacking around the world. She was staying in one of the dodgiest Pensions in Cairo. She had the attitude and vigour of a teenager.

So it's up to you..... it really is your choice, are you to old or not? I'd say yes unless you have an attitude adjustment.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I was 46 when I came to Korea, 58 now. My job has grown nicely year-by-year & I have good times outside of work with the inflood of 20-somethings. As posters above suggest, dont get caught up in societal expectations. Carve your own path.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

Op, you gotta be a troll.

Am I too old at 27? GTFO.