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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Evanzinho
Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Location: California
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 Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Threequalseven wrote: |
| There seems to be a disproportionate number of engineers and finance guys on here. I met a lot of people teaching ESL in Korea, and very few had backgrounds in engineering or business. I'd be interested to see if there are any success stories outside these fields... like a history major who leaves Korea after two years to work as an editor for a major newspaper, or something like that. Or are big banks and big oil companies the only way to secure a "life after Korea"? |
I taught in Korea for a little over three years, came back to the States in the middle of 2012 and got a job working for a regional homebulder selling Real Estate. The pay isn't great starting out, it's salary plus commission. I'm averaging $50-60k, but some of the top agents make over $100k, the top agent at my company actually made around $400k last year, but that's not normal and she works 24 hours a day pretty much. I only have a liberal arts BA. I would recommend looking into the FIRE industries (Finance, Insurance & Real Estate) if you have any work ethic whatsoever and can pass some basic state licensing exams. I flirt with the idea of going back to Korea to teach ESL but my job here, overall, is a thousand times better than working at a Hagwon. I do miss the ability to travel throughout Asia in between contacts, though.
To the folks who work on oil rigs, 12 hour shifts and out in remote locations; isn't the reason why we graduated from college was so that we wouldn't have to do jobs like that? |
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radcon
Joined: 23 May 2011
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Evanzinho wrote: |
| Threequalseven wrote: |
| There seems to be a disproportionate number of engineers and finance guys on here. I met a lot of people teaching ESL in Korea, and very few had backgrounds in engineering or business. I'd be interested to see if there are any success stories outside these fields... like a history major who leaves Korea after two years to work as an editor for a major newspaper, or something like that. Or are big banks and big oil companies the only way to secure a "life after Korea"? |
I taught in Korea for a little over three years, came back to the States in the middle of 2012 and got a job working for a regional homebulder selling Real Estate. The pay isn't great starting out, it's salary plus commission. I'm averaging $50-60k, but some of the top agents make over $100k, the top agent at my company actually made around $400k last year, but that's not normal and she works 24 hours a day pretty much. I only have a liberal arts BA. I would recommend looking into the FIRE industries (Finance, Insurance & Real Estate) if you have any work ethic whatsoever and can pass some basic state licensing exams. I flirt with the idea of going back to Korea to teach ESL but my job here, overall, is a thousand times better than working at a Hagwon. I do miss the ability to travel throughout Asia in between contacts, though.
To the folks who work on oil rigs, 12 hour shifts and out in remote locations; isn't the reason why we graduated from college was so that we wouldn't have to do jobs like that? |
This shows that people are wired differently. I'd rather work in a crummy hogwan than be a salesman of any kind. To each his own. |
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mithridates
Joined: 03 Mar 2003
Location: President's office, Korean Space Agency
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krnpowr
Joined: 08 Dec 2011
Location: Midwest, USA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Threequalseven wrote: |
| There seems to be a disproportionate number of engineers and finance guys on here. I met a lot of people teaching ESL in Korea, and very few had backgrounds in engineering or business. I'd be interested to see if there are any success stories outside these fields... like a history major who leaves Korea after two years to work as an editor for a major newspaper, or something like that. Or are big banks and big oil companies the only way to secure a "life after Korea"? |
The engineers and financiers are the ones who not only had practical degrees, but they had the tangible skills in the first place to be able to avoid falling into that lifer ESL mode. Actually, most of these "analytical" ESL teachers in Korea are/were just there for a stopover or are merely taking a hiatus from the "real world" in the first place.
I worked in IT and the finance/investment fields and after leaving Korea in 2011 after being there a couple years, I was able to leverage my knowledge and skills in IT and finance, along with my MBA, to where I am now on pace to make over 6 digits this year.
What leverage would a young person with a history or sociology degree and experience teaching ESL have once leaving Korea? In a lot of cases, nothing. Maybe their calling is to teach ESL. Otherwise they might be doing nothing back home, but living with mom all depressed. |
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Ginormousaurus
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Evanzinho wrote: |
To the folks who work on oil rigs, 12 hour shifts and out in remote locations; isn't the reason why we graduated from college was so that we wouldn't have to do jobs like that? |
I don't think anyone in this thread works on an oil rig.
There are many educated people up here, though maybe not so many liberal arts majors. I'm surrounded by engineers who are doing what they went to school to do. |
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allovertheplace
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Ginormousaurus wrote: |
| allovertheplace wrote: |
I am a hypocrite for noticing the environmental damages of the Alberta Oil Sands? Or for traveling and paying carbon offsets to travel? Which one, not really sure.
If I worked for Monsanto, I would expect flack. If I worked for big oil, I would expect flack. If I travel very environmentally concious and try to work in a sustainable and reasonable field , well, I guess I don't expect flack.
Extractive industries have literally destroyed countless communties - I guess it's a good thing that nothern Alberta doesnt have much to destroy. |
You're a hypocrite for using oil daily while deriding the industry for satisfying your demands. Try to spin it however you like.
Anyway, this thread is about former expats finding success back home after esl. We can discuss oil elsewhere. |
I agree that we can discuss elsewhere. But your point is off, so I am a hypocrite for breathing air but attempting to champion industry that helps sustain clean air? Or drinking water but trying to preserve clean water?
I am more interested in the point why folks here are equating success with money and a high salary. Call it what you will, but coming on a forum and bragging about a salary is tacky. |
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Jarome_Turner
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Evanzinho wrote: |
| To the folks who work on oil rigs, 12 hour shifts and out in remote locations; isn't the reason why we graduated from college was so that we wouldn't have to do jobs like that? |
The 12 hour shift results in a 7 day on, 7 day off cycle. This is a dream shift, which anybody who has ever worked it will tell you. Factor in 3 weeks vacation, and you only work 23 weeks a year.
The 'remote location' I live in is a bustling city of 100,000+. This city, and all the sites, are full of professionals of all levels - university grads, trades peoples, etc... |
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mithridates
Joined: 03 Mar 2003
Location: President's office, Korean Space Agency
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Jarome_Turner wrote: |
| Evanzinho wrote: |
| To the folks who work on oil rigs, 12 hour shifts and out in remote locations; isn't the reason why we graduated from college was so that we wouldn't have to do jobs like that? |
The 12 hour shift results in a 7 day on, 7 day off cycle. This is a dream shift, which anybody who has ever worked it will tell you. Factor in 3 weeks vacation, and you only work 23 weeks a year.
The 'remote location' I live in is a bustling city of 100,000+. This city, and all the sites, are full of professionals of all levels - university grads, trades peoples, etc... |
How long does it take to recover from the seven days? Two or three days of lounging about, or are you fresh as a daisy after a single night of good sleep? |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Stain wrote: |
| Yes, there is life after Korea. After returning from Korea, I landed a job in the dry goods industry with a well known company. I became a specialist in stock operations, where I administer product to various locations on shelves. Eventually, I was promoted to dairy products supervisor, having been trained in detecting expiration dates. I cleared $30,000 just in my first year alone. So, as you can see, you have nothing to worry about when you head back home. |
No disrespect meant. But, $30 K with a higher cost of living and taxes equals less than what you'd make over here. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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| allovertheplace wrote: |
Not sure why some foks here are commenting on their wages (tacky) or extolling the virtues of working for the petrolium industry (even tackier). Didn't the travel and exeperiences of S.E. Asia, China, Japan etc. breed some sort of desire to not work for an industry that is actively detroying the planet?
Sounds like a few on here would take thar gig, digging minirals on Mars and bring along their K wife. Oh, that billion dollar a year job sounds great! |
Oh, how's the air in Alberta versus Northeast China? Wingnuts raving on about Alberts maybe should redirect their energy towards Chinas pollution instead. Even the most polluted place in North America can't compare to Korea let alone China. Some pollution will always be a necessity to live and have economic growth, but at least our societies control it far better and constantly come up with new technology to reduce pollution. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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I've asked this before. But how easy is it to get set up in Alberta? Some of you make it sound like you just walked into jobs. I know the economy is good, but I guess the high cost of entry (rents, etc) prob keeps much of the rest of Canada's poor out, except for the most determined.
I've got debt sky high that took a hit thanks to the 2008 to 2013 Won nose dive. Paid off, but at a much slower rate. My original purpose for coming over. But, I suppose if I were debt free one day and had a cash reserve in my bank account, AB would be a good place to relocate to. Sure wouldn't be the maritimes.
I assume most of you that had quit Korea for AB had paid everything off and saved up some cash to get started out there. But, six figure salaries are a bit shocking to me to hear. ESL is peanuts compared to that. It was good money several years ago when factoring in exchange rates, living costs, low taxes, free flights, rent free apt, etc. |
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radcon
Joined: 23 May 2011
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| Stain wrote: |
| Yes, there is life after Korea. After returning from Korea, I landed a job in the dry goods industry with a well known company. I became a specialist in stock operations, where I administer product to various locations on shelves. Eventually, I was promoted to dairy products supervisor, having been trained in detecting expiration dates. I cleared $30,000 just in my first year alone. So, as you can see, you have nothing to worry about when you head back home. |
No disrespect meant. But, $30 K with a higher cost of living and taxes equals less than what you'd make over here. |
I think he may have been joking. |
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Jarome_Turner
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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| mithridates wrote: |
How long does it take to recover from the seven days? Two or three days of lounging about, or are you fresh as a daisy after a single night of good sleep? |
For me, personally, I'm fresh as a daisy the next day. I work straight day shift, so I don't have to contend with the night shift that most trades people have to deal with. Also, my job is a salaried position. The most physically demanding task I perform is walking the floor, checking in on mechanics ensuring they're wearing the proper PPE, JHA's are complete, etc... Very easy on the body. I have a company vehicle that I drive to and from work, so I don't have to do the bus-in bus-out that most that work on site do.
I do, however, have quite a few friends who work the same shift as me and find it harder on the body - they are all tradesmen who work a 7 days/nights rotation. It does take them a couple of days to recover after each set.
I guess that's one of the small payoffs of having gone to university and been able to move into a salaried, leadership type position. |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| Stain wrote: |
| Yes, there is life after Korea. After returning from Korea, I landed a job in the dry goods industry with a well known company. I became a specialist in stock operations, where I administer product to various locations on shelves. Eventually, I was promoted to dairy products supervisor, having been trained in detecting expiration dates. I cleared $30,000 just in my first year alone. So, as you can see, you have nothing to worry about when you head back home. |
No disrespect meant. But, $30 K with a higher cost of living and taxes equals less than what you'd make over here. |
You must be like 6 inches tall, because I have no other idea how that could have flown* right over your head.
*edited for joke fail
Last edited by Zyzyfer on Thu Mar 06, 2014 5:45 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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kimchipig
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Ginormousaurus wrote: |
| BackRow wrote: |
| What a weird thread, you seem to think most people go back to their home country and become unemployed for the rest of their lives |
Many people go home only to struggle for one reason or another and end up returning to Korea. It's not at all uncommon. |
In Korea, just being young and white can get you a job. In Canada, it means not a thing. People returning here want to make good money right away. It took me five years to better what I was making in Canada. That was a real struggle.
I was in Korea for almost a decade before I returned to Canada in 2004. The writing was on the wall about Korea as a viable place to make a decent living, even then. When I took me university gig in 2000, I got five months' vacation, W2.1m and a free apartment. I saw my job advertised for W2.2m, four weeks and no accommodation.
I am still teaching, as a private tutor. This is extremely lucrative, but it is going to take a while to build your clientele, and many are not willing to wait. Since I am married with kids, I didn't have a lot of choice but to slog it out.
I had fun in Korea, but I often wonder would I have been better off taking that decade to build my career back in Canada, rather than go to Korea. |
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