Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ktkates87]

Hello,

I am currently working for a Hagwon outside of Seoul, and beginning to figure out my plans for the next year. I am starting to think that maybe I would like to try out a public school the next time around.

When I started looking for my first job, my husband and I were only engaged and when I first applied I interviewed with schools and recruiters who said they might be able to have us live together, or maybe in the same city but that there were no guarantees. They were interviewing me for jobs but wanted me to accept an offer and then start looking for a job for my husband in the same area. At the time this seemed a bit sketchy. I felt uncomfortable signing up to move across the world hoping we would be able to find a job for my husband in time to join me.

So my question to everyone here is, how is it to work at a public school when you're married? I understand we might not be in the same school but I would definately want to be able to live together! I understand that it is probably different now that we're officially married.

Is my best option for an ideal placement as a married couple going through an agency like Epik or Gepik? Or should I be going through a recruiter that will find individual public school jobs?

How is the married housing with public schools vs hagwons? I live in a small studio apartment that is pretty small for the two of us and our dog.

Also, does a year at a hagwon count at all for experience when looking for a public school position?

Thanks!

[mmstyle]

I work in the PS system, as does my husband. All in all, we've found it pretty good. Based solely on what I have read here and a few blogs, I would say that the PS systems here are steering away from hiring married couples these days. You would almost certainly be at different schools. If you do get hired as a couple, it can still be a crap shoot. You can require that you live together, but you may end up with substantial commutes (that said, my husband and I both work walking distance from home).

One school may do things one way, while the other does it differently. Comparisons will be inevitable, and Getting guaranteed time off together is something that has become increasingly difficult for us. But, that may not be a big thing for you....for us, it's major. Getting furniture became a huge power struggle between our schools and ended up being a significant investment on our part.

There's more....but I have to go teach now.