Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Davidbcnu]

Hi all,

I was wondering if I could get anyone's take on this shiddy life compared to making the move and working in Korea/Asia. My header pretty much sums it up.. as I thought I would jump into the oil boom that is taking place in North Dakota to make 60k+yr. My plan was to save up at this dead-end job then possibly teach overseas and/or enroll in a graduate program of some sort.

Anyhow, after 4 months of driving in the oil field I thoroughly dislike working this "zombie" gig around a bunch of crass people that are migrating up here on a daily basis! I've been reading on here were teachers are making upwards of 3k a month which isn't the typical [email protected] it sure sounds better than chasing money is this environment.

So.. is my thinking inline with most educated people on here..that anyone could do this but few would?

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thank you

David

[Captain Corea]

Make the move. If you've got the credentials, I don't see the issue.

But just as the oil field job isn't for everyone, neither is teaching. One way to find out is to do it... Keep in mind that quitting a job overseas has different challenges to it though.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[jimmyjames1982]

How long did it take you to get your fuel truck licensing? I am home in the USA after 3 1/2 years teaching at a middle school. I thoroughly enjoyed the job but not so much the living side of Korea.

I was thinking about busting my as* for a year up in oil fields and then, like you, possibly pursue graduate programs here in Korea while teaching.

If you could give me any advice on what to do or not, in regards to employment in the oil fields, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm not afraid of a hard days work or unstable weather conditions.

Thank you in advance

[fosterman]

if I was you, I would keep driving, stick it out 5 more years, 10 years better, save all the money you can, move to thailand and sit on the beach!

[soomin]

[Leon]

[Who's Your Daddy?]

You're in trucking for the money.

Most people here are in it for the money too.

You're making more trucking.

[edwardcatflap]

[Modernist]

Hah! From a fuel truck in North Dakota to teaching in Korea. I almost forgot, for a second or two, how most people come here because they LIKE teaching and LIKE Korea. Most people are professionals, not mercenaries, and they take teaching seriously. I'm sure I've heard that somewhere before. Right?

Anyway, OP, you've got to consider the cultural and lifestyle issues as well as the cash. Others are correct that you are earning more now compared to here, even counting severance, pension, and housing. You are likely SPENDING more, too, however, even in ND. Some things here are absurdly cheap compared to anywhere in America. So it's a tough call on an absolute economic scale.

What I would consider is things like your ability to 'go with the flow' when strange, unexpected events occur. These will happen very frequently here. How do you adapt to abrupt changes in routine? How about seemingly minor issues like extremely, uh, 'different' food; or the day-to-day wearying conversation problems with locals? There will be many cases where you want to do something so simple, it would take 5 minutes in America, but here it could take hours. Days. And you'll need to rely heavily on other people, who may or may not have any interest in helping you. For an independent person, this can be immensely frustrating.

And this is not getting into the nature of teaching at all, of course. I can see how driving a truck is a zombie kind of thing. However, teaching can be pretty damn zombie much of the time as well. Especially English, especially with students with low or no motivation [that's a lot of them, in case you didn't know]. One question is whether you are a natural introvert or extrovert, on the Myers-Briggs. Introverts, like me, can have a hard time many days. You have to learn to cope with the run-hot, run-cold personality expected of you. Do you have any experience dealing with kids? They can be adorably cute and sweet, and then evil little monsters. Same kids, same day. Sometimes same classes. You've got to be able to deal with it.

I would also note that in terms of 'crass' people, well, I think ESL in Korea has its share, would be a polite way of putting it.

[asdfghjkl]

[yodanole]

Professionalism? Love to teach? Spirit of adventure? Those people are happy in Korea. OP, if that's you, come on over. But realize that you'll be taking a pay cut.

As far as advice from the board. Ha, some on this board make it sound like it was either come to Korea or be a part of a civil union in some prison, working for cigarettes. And they still whine about being here. Usually for the most trivial of excuses. And I'm only partly joking.

[Swampfox10mm]

If you don't mind, I'd like to hear more about what it's like living there in ND. Also, what other kinds of jobs are around that they are desperate for?

[Adam Carolla]

[TheUrbanMyth]