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shaftula
Joined: 25 Sep 2011
Location: Long Beach, CA
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 Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:55 pm Post subject: Newb question |
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I'm graduating with an English degree in May. I should have my degree in hand by June. Assuming I have all my documents gathered by then, how soon could I realistically get out to Korea after that? I'd love to leave the states by July, but I know the job market is a little rough out there right now.
Since my degree is at least related, will I have an easier time? I've also tutored ESL students for the last 4 years. I'm just trying to feel out what I'm in for. Thanks! |
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shaftula
Joined: 25 Sep 2011
Location: Long Beach, CA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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Bump!
Sorry. I know this is a sort of broad question, but it will really help! |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not sure that anyone really knows just how the market will shake out from March onward, given what's been happening in public schools.
That said, having an English degree and tutoring experience will definitely work to your advantage, particularly if you get a school that actually asks you questions about how you might teach a class. Basically, your degree and experience likely won't land you a sweet job, but it's more likely that you'll find yourself on top of a recruiter's newb resume pile. |
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overdrive2023x
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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| When you tutored ESL students, did you do it through Long Beach State? Like were your clients set up through the college? Or did you just post on campus, and they found you? |
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shaftula
Joined: 25 Sep 2011
Location: Long Beach, CA
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| Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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I was hired through the college, and they set me up with appointments. I actually still work at Cal State Long Beach.
Edit: I also volunteered for a couple of summers in my mom's classroom; she's a special ed teacher. So, I have experience with elementary/middle school kids as well. |
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koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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| shaftula wrote: |
I was hired through the college, and they set me up with appointments. I actually still work at Cal State Long Beach.
Edit: I also volunteered for a couple of summers in my mom's classroom; she's a special ed teacher. So, I have experience with elementary/middle school kids as well. |
That means basically nothing abroad, and somewhat interesting tidbits if you are face to face with an employer. They may or may not listen to you.
Your qualifications do not trump their agenda in making money. In fact, if they see you are more qualified, they might not want to hire you because they don't want to pay a higher salary. They won't make more money because you know more. They make more money by not paying their employees as much and keeping them working.
Someone already in Korea with the documents will be looked at first before your qualifications. If they are good enough, they will be hired. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:53 am Post subject: |
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Green as grass newbie with NO classroom experience to speak of.
I am assuming you are American. Nobody else would be looking for a job 8 months before they can travel.
It will take time AFTER you get your parchment in your hot little hand to get the documentation complete and NO_ONE will seriously consider your application until you actually have your degree copy and CBC with the apostilles attached.
At that time of year (midway through the first term for k-12 schools) it will take you 10 days to find a crap hagwan job. It may take a couple of months to find a decent hagwan job and NO-ONE can tell you whether or not there will be much in the way of recruitment for mid year public school positions.
AFTER you have your job sorted it will take from 12-21 days to process the VCN (visa confirmation number) and then get the actual visa.
Then you will fly over.
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:13 am Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
Green as grass newbie with NO classroom experience to speak of.
I am assuming you are American. Nobody else would be looking for a job 8 months before they can travel.
It will take time AFTER you get your parchment in your hot little hand to get the documentation complete and NO_ONE will seriously consider your application until you actually have your degree copy and CBC with the apostilles attached.
At that time of year (midway through the first term for k-12 schools) it will take you 10 days to find a crap hagwan job. It may take a couple of months to find a decent hagwan job and NO-ONE can tell you whether or not there will be much in the way of recruitment for mid year public school positions.
AFTER you have your job sorted it will take from 12-21 days to process the VCN (visa confirmation number) and then get the actual visa.
Then you will fly over.
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ttompatz: while the above was definitely true a year or two ago, I don't think it's true any longer, at least not for applicants from abroad. I know a few guys who are currently in the States who haven't even been getting the crapwon offers. |
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shaftula
Joined: 25 Sep 2011
Location: Long Beach, CA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:14 am Post subject: |
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Well, I haven't exactly started looking for a job, but I want to plan everything out as best I can. I knew about having to have all documentation in order before being able to apply, but I'm just trying to get an idea of the time frame I'm dealing with, so I can plan my finances accordingly. I am American though-- so, good assumption, I suppose. I guess the Long Beach, CA may have given it away too.
This was good info though. Thanks! I'm going to assume that I may be able to get something worked out by the beginning of August.
Here's a question-- should I just go through a reputable recruiter to avoid the crappy hagwan scenario? I completely yield to the green as grass remark. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:19 am Post subject: |
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| shaftula wrote: |
| Here's a question-- should I just go through a reputable recruiter to avoid the crappy hagwan scenario? I completely yield to the green as grass remark. |
Recruiters don't work for you. Regardless of what recruiter you use, you could end up getting burned (though some are worse than others). Talking to other teachers at the school and carefully reading your contract will help you a lot more than being picky with recruiters. Use lots of recruiters and wait until one of them offers you a decent job. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:29 am Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
Green as grass newbie with NO classroom experience to speak of.
I am assuming you are American. Nobody else would be looking for a job 8 months before they can travel.
It will take time AFTER you get your parchment in your hot little hand to get the documentation complete and NO_ONE will seriously consider your application until you actually have your degree copy and CBC with the apostilles attached.
At that time of year (midway through the first term for k-12 schools) it will take you 10 days to find a crap hagwan job. It may take a couple of months to find a decent hagwan job and NO-ONE can tell you whether or not there will be much in the way of recruitment for mid year public school positions.
AFTER you have your job sorted it will take from 12-21 days to process the VCN (visa confirmation number) and then get the actual visa.
Then you will fly over.
. |
ttompatz: while the above was definitely true a year or two ago, I don't think it's true any longer, at least not for applicants from abroad. I know a few guys who are currently in the States who haven't even been getting the crapwon offers. |
Now, with 1700 PS teachers facing the chopping block, is not a great time to be looking for work in Korea.
By next summer when this newbie is ready the vast majority of the current stock of teachers in Korea will have moved on; either home, to a new job or a new country.
The industry itself is transient.
If he doesn't find work in Korea there will be 50,000 new jobs in China, 15,000 new jobs in Thailand, 3000 more in Vietnam, 3000 more in Indonesia... NEW jobs... replacing departing workers or simply the industry itself growing (gonna be a big thing in ASEAN countries over the next few years).
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:00 am Post subject: |
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| The bottle neck to going to Korea will be getting your degree copy notarized and apostilled after you have graduated. I would project it will be one month after graduation for you to be flying to Korea. In early January you want to send off for your FBI CBC especially if you use the cheaper US mail services. I have said this many times, make sure you send off a separate letter with your application saying to have the CBC notarized for obtaining an apostille. Secondly start checking to see how you can obtain additional copies of your degree when you graduate that are notarized by the Registrar so you can have them apostilled after graduation. Thirdly when you have your documents in hand (FBI CBC apostilled, Degree copy apostilled, passport) start contacting recruiters. I wouldn't contact recruiters untill you have everything in hand. For your first time around t would be safer if you obtained a public school job through a recruiter rather than a hogwan job which might have a very shady owner. |
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