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csgallag
Joined: 28 Jul 2013
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 Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 2:31 pm Post subject: Is anyone happy with their job? |
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I've been around these forums for a bit, and it seems like everyone is warning me of bleak conditions (even at unis) and horrible pay.
Is there anyone who actually likes their job? Is there anyone who is satisfied with their pay?
I'm considering working, possibly uni or possibly afterschool program, and I know my starting pay would be 2.3-ish. I also have a dependent. It seems like people are saying that 2.3 is not a livable salary, no way to pay off student loans or save, and all the jobs suck anyway.
I need hope, people! I live in one of the most hopeless cities in the USA at one of the most hopeless jobs with definitely a hopeless pay. I'm forced to look abroad, but what's the point if there's no hope anyway? |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm very happy with my job, and my pay is more than fine for what I do. |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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| The problem is, wanting a uni job in Korea doesn't mean you will get one. Do you have a masters? (I think not since you didn't mention it.) If not, applying from abroad (or even in country), you stand a snowball's chance in hell of getting one. Even with a masters (even a related one) it will be hard to get in without prior university teaching experience. Public schools are cutting back on jobs. The cost of living in Korea has gone up a lot since you've been here in 2006. To live here with a dependent will be expensive. But do whatever you want. Maybe coming here will be an adventure and/or learning experience. And keep in mind there are many places in the world to live (and many places in the United States to live). You have many options. |
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csgallag
Joined: 28 Jul 2013
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
| The problem is, wanting a uni job in Korea doesn't mean you will get one. Do you have a masters? (I think not since you didn't mention it.) If not, applying from abroad (or even in country), you stand a snowball's chance in hell of getting one. Even with a masters (even a related one) it will be hard to get in without prior university teaching experience. Public schools are cutting back on jobs. The cost of living in Korea has gone up a lot since you've been here in 2006. To live here with a dependent will be expensive. But do whatever you want. Maybe coming here will be an adventure and/or learning experience. And keep in mind there are many places in the world to live (and many places in the United States to live). You have many options. |
Master's - check. University experience - check. Wanting yet another learning experience - uncheck.
Desperation - check check check check check cheeeeeeeck
I've applied to positions all across the USA. With a MA in criminal justice, 3 years in law enforcement, not even the entry-level jobs are getting back to me. I am going to consider China once again, since there is a lovely face-to-face TEFL training course that won't cost me more than I make in half a year. It's just hard to know what to do when everything looks so bleak. I'm too old for this crap, yo! Considering two of the actual geniuses (mensa-level folk) I went to college with are having trouble getting jobs... I think one or both of them have PhDs... I know it's not just me, but it still feels like I'm doing everything wrong. Just arg! |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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| csgallag wrote: |
| I am going to consider China once again, since there is a lovely face-to-face TEFL training course that won't cost me more than I make in half a year. |
The CELTA is only two grand. But I guess add in a month of lost wages plus travel expenses to get to and live at the site and it's closer to five grand. Still not half a year's salary, but yeah, I get what you mean- it's expensive. Think of it as an investment in your future, though. (Or if you can't afford it, do the one in China. It's free?) |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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| csgallag wrote: |
| Master's - check. University experience - check. |
MA is unrelated to teaching English: will work against you. How much uni teaching experience? Was it in Korea? Two years or more? If so, that will be a big plus. Also, you are female? That can help big time. It is a huge advantage in Korea when applying for university jobs and when looking for privates and other part time work. |
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actionjackson
Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Location: Any place I'm at
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm pretty happy with mine. |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm happier doing this than my previous big salary job in the US. Sure the pay and hours aren't great but the stress levels are non-existent and I don't dread going to work in the mornings like I did at times in my previous job |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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ActionJackson, where do you work? Did you say uni?
Hokie21, where are you working?
"Sure the pay and hours aren't great but the stress levels are non-existent…"
I didn't know such ESL jobs existed (the non stressful part I mean). |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
ActionJackson, where do you work? Did you say uni?
Hokie21, where are you working?
"Sure the pay and hours aren't great but the stress levels are non-existent…"
I didn't know such ESL jobs existed (the non stressful part I mean). |
I work in a hagwon, nothing special about it, at least I don't believe so. What's stressful about ESL? My academic adviser at my school treats us well and keeps the owner off our backs. The Korean teachers are super friendly and very helpful. You teach a couple lessons a day and the worst thing you might have to put up with is a kid crying or puking in class. I just don't find anything about my job stressful at all.
My previous job was a sales position for a major pharmaceutical company and my manager was on my case day in and day out, field rides, teleconferences, 5 day training workshops around the country....the data from every sales call recorded, your market share percentage and number of scripts recorded and compared with every other rep in the territory. Doctors and office staff refusing to give you the time of day....sometimes even asking you to do illegal things.
That was stressful, this job is a walk in the park. |
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tophatcat
Joined: 09 Aug 2006
Location: under the hat
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
ActionJackson, where do you work? Did you say uni?
Hokie21, where are you working?
"Sure the pay and hours aren't great but the stress levels are non-existent…"
I didn't know such ESL jobs existed (the non stressful part I mean). |
@ World Traveler
Is your K-co-teacher to much for you? Making you call letters out for the bingo game? Or riding you hard and making you work?
You seem to be really unhappy and miserable with your job and life here.
Why don't you try something better suited for you? Perhaps you could go back home and buy a bicycle with the money you have saved up since being in Korea. Then maybe use your bike to do a paper route. I know it's a job intended for kids, but it might be just the thing for you.
ring ring ring bicycle bell and give the paper a toss
Last edited by tophatcat on Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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| I just don't think the stress levels of most ESL teaching jobs in Korea are "non existent". You do? |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Hokie21 wrote: |
| the worst thing you might have to put up with is a kid crying or puking in class. I just don't find anything about my job stressful at all. |
I guess if the hagwon is successful (making a lot of money) that could be the case. However, when a hagwon loses students, a boss will be ticked off I think. How many hagwons have been losing students/going under lately? A lot. Hagwons can be really stressful places (but not for everyone I guess; everyone's situation is different). |
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tophatcat
Joined: 09 Aug 2006
Location: under the hat
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
| I just don't think the stress levels of most ESL teaching jobs in Korea are "non existent". You do? |
Mine is very close to being "non existent." |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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| How so? I see you are married to a Korean woman and hence have the F visa. That gives you plum, stress free jobs? What kind of jobs are we talking? |
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