Korean Job Discussion Forums

[youppi315]

Hi all! First time poster. I've lurked for a few days. I'm looking for some more advice (I've found the FAQs very helpful). First of all, I would like to know what chances I have of finding a job in a reputable school in Seoul. In about a year I will have obtained my B.A. in Philosophy and Geology from a Big State University on the East Coast of the United States. While not a prestigious school I was able to interact with many students from Korea and I think that after getting to know a few of them I'm set on TESL in their country. I've heard that schools request a picture and (unfortunately) do hire based on appearance. For what it's worth, I am a 6'5'', blond, white American.

I'm only looking to serve abroad for 1-2 years before going to graduate school (I've taken the LSAT and did quite well but I'm not sure law is the field I want to enter). I'm sure some of you have similar goals or have gone through a similar experience. How difficult is the application process from abroad? Do schools consider time teaching English overseas work experience similar to other entry-level positions or might some see it as a gap (it's my understanding that some TEFL teachers have given the rest a reputation of young drinkers "living it up" in Asia for a year...please correct me if this is not the usual reputation; I'm already sure it's not representative of most teachers).

Also, as a young person, I wonder about dating in Korea and Seoul-si/Seoul. Any stories you could share (or encouragement, whatever you may have) would be welcomed and appreciated.

I'm sure I'll have more questions. I'm eager to get the process started. Looking forward to hearing from you.

YP

[ttompatz]

Chance of getting a job = 100% as long as you have your documents in hand.
-degree with apositlle and clean FBI check with an apositlle.

Your school won't matter (big name or podunk-U).

Chance of getting into a reputable school in Seoul, while applying from abroad and having nothing to offer = 50%.

Chance of having a good first year = 60%. Chance of getting screwed, turning tail and running from your first job = 40%.

.

[youppi315]

[minos]

You'll do alright. Nothing spectacular until you have some experience under your belt.

There really isn't much of a career ladder unless you switch jobs regularly.

EDIT: try to meet some Korean professors at your school. One hooked me up with a sweet private elem school gig before coming(I went public instead though). Korean Prof. know lots of education type folks.

Don't just accept any hook up offered by Koreans though. Plenty of shady hagwon bosses have US based friends to help send more to the meat grinder.

[edwardcatflap]

[youppi315]

[youppi315]

[Elle]

[youppi315]

[Elle]

Yes, I think you can list the work experience just as you described. If you were employed by your university, try to specify which department or division you were in. A reviewer suggested to do that on my resume as I had worked on campus as well. If there is no division, then just put the school as your employer.

If there are any other seasoned reviewers out there, feel free to add to comment or correct it!

[Modernist]

For God's sake DON'T go to law school.

Oh, you wanted to know about teaching in Korea? Oh

Well, I would work on setting aside the rose-colored glasses about intercultural understanding and gaining international perspectives and other such BS. Save that for your law-school admissions essay, yes?

If you REALLY want to teach English for such a noble purpose as 'offering something of yourself to another part of the world' or whatever, then I strongly suggest Peace Corps instead. They have a bottomless need for ESL teachers willing to 'serve', as you put it, in Godforsaken, remote posts in poor countries where there truly is a need. The support system, training and structure is 100x whatever you'll get in Korea, if you get anything at all.

On the other hand, if what you actually want is money, then step right up, it's down the rabbit hole for you.

Grad schools won't really care one way or the other. They'll likely assume the truth: you can't find a decent, 'professional' job to your liking with your B.A. and this recession and so, hey, I always wanted to see the world! Yeah, and help people too! Etc etc etc.

Regarding Seoul, it ain't all it's cracked up to be IMO. It's no Tokyo or Shanghai. There are a lot of foreigners there, which is very nice. But the money is usually low and the lodgings tinier than you can grasp from your side of the Pacific.

[jonbowman88]

If you want to work at a public school ( and I suggest you do) make sure you do some sort of 100 hour tesol training. Do the cheapest one you can find because it doesn't really matter. I did mine on the internet and it cost about $150 USD. It will look good on your resume and will increase your pay.

[TellyRules986]

It's not tough to get a job in Korea. If your documents are right, then you have a 100% chance of finding a job. ttompatz is exactly right in his post. It's not by merit.

This isn't solicited but I'll say it anyway- only go to law school if you're SURE that's what you want. It's not a good place for those who just want to go to graduate school because they don't know what they want to do. Understand that law school is extremely expensive and many times not worth it unless you go to a top school and graduate at the top of your class. There are FAR, FAR more lawyers than there are jobs for them. Most grads are broke, in extreme debt and not using their degree. Just fyi.

Schools can see your experience as valuable, as long as you play up all the wonderful cultural stuff you picked up or whatever. Employers are the ones most likely to view it as a gap.

I'm a girl like you, and dating isn't too difficult as long as you're somewhat attractive. All you have to do is put yourself out there. However, if a girl is obese or something, it's really hard, since you're surrounded by skinny pretty girls that love foreign men...even very unattractive ones (which boosts their egos by a ton).

[edwardcatflap]

[youppi315]

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement!

re: law school - I'm 70% sure I want to go. My numbers now are borderline bottom t14 worthy (I don't want to out-self but LSAT 170-172, GPA in the mid-3s) but I have a strong desire to attend Northwestern - which looks for a few years of work experience. Failing admission there, I'd happily take the offer from the best school I get into (considering the legal economy is still hurting although slowly recovering), or, money from a school in my preferred market. I've researched this