Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fosterman]

Anyone been here a few years and decided that they wanted to return home, go back to school get qualified in something new and start again?

Does anyone know anyone who has done this?

I T
seems to be in huge demand where I am from and the salaries are 6 figures for people who make their way up, maybe within 5 years I could be earning 6 figures,
ESL will never pay that.

so I was wondering how hard could it be, I mean go home, back to school and get a career in something completely alien to me.
anyone know someone who has done it?
any stories to tell?

looking for motivation

[edwardcatflap]

If money's your only motivation, why not try to get into financial trading? You'd make much more than an IT guy.

[fosterman]

[morrisonhotel]

I was only in Korea for two years. I have a place at university to study for a master's in international development with a focus on governance and conflict resolution which starts in September. It's better moving towards a career you want now rather than waiting as, clearly, you'll find it harder and harder the longer you leave it.

I know a guy who taught in China for 6 years. He went back to university for an MBA and now works for Samsung in some kind of business strategy role.

[jonpurdy]

I went to Korea straight out of university and curious to see how teaching would be, taught for three years at the same elementary school (stayed because I loved it), and am in the middle of getting my B. Ed. at OISE (Toronto).

I decided to get my license because without certs your pay ceiling is quite low. Other benefits as well (international schools, good pay and pension in Ontario).

Of course, if you don't like teaching then this would not be the option for you.

[alongway]

[youtuber]

Whatever you choose to do, make sure that you are genuinely interested in doing that job and that you enjoy it.

Money does not equate with interest.

None of the IT people in my company make six figures, by the way.

[Julius]

[shaunew]

I've been here for 7 years. I am leaving in 6 months with my family back to Canada. I am in the process of getting my Certified Management accounting certification (CMA). I am planning on entering the field with payroll and moving up after completing my CMA within 2 years. As well, I am doing a payroll certification course that will give me a foot in the door in the accounting world. If all goes as planned I will be working as a CMA making over 100k after about 4 years.

[Swampfox10mm]

[morrisonhotel]

[myenglishisno]

If there was a sure fire way to make 6 figures in this economy, everyone would be doing it. Truth is, no one without connections truly knows how much they'll be making. That and what is promising now may not be promising by the time you've finished your training and want to start working.

Going back home without a job in hand is a risk. Going back to school lessens the risk but it is still risky.

When I think about leaving Korea, I go on Facebook and check out friends who have a better education and are generally smarter than me to see what they're doing back home. It's my barometer for seeing if Canada is worth returning to. Despite being out of school for awhile, everyone seems to be working for a little bit more than minimum wage with the odd person doing better but only because they joined the military or police force or some other job that only a specific kind of person would do.

I also know people who went to college/community college for trade trading only to have the unions/perks evaporate before they really got going. A lot of formerly high paying jobs are turning into $10 an hour jobs with no benefits. I do not envy new teachers back home.

[madoka]