Korean Job Discussion Forums

[aq8knyus]

[Weigookin74]

[IBD]

First off, I think the OP is a troll.

Second, it’s always funny that the people who have a lot to say about Ivy credentials, never attended those institutions in the first place.

[PRagic]

Interesting post. I did say, however, that because of the degrees, there was indeed a chance that the OP could be hired by a university WITHOUT EXPERIENCE. I even posted up 17 links to jobs to which I suggested he apply.

Sorry to say, but the remainder of the post does not present a viable comparison by any stretch. Depending on your field and your specific area of specialization and research, you can very well be accepted as a 'successful academic' without EVER teaching or researching at a major N. American or Euro university. People outside of academe may have this impression of which you speak, but those in the game know the deal.

As long as you're working at a decent enough school, it is your research and professional activity that can set you apart, not your institution. Institutions often help to open doors, and many, including SNU, which you mention, are globally ranked higher than most N. American and Euro universities. Singapore National and Tokyo U, as well as Taiwan National come to mind, too, if we're staying in the Asian hood for purposes of the discussion. All have leading academics that are globally well known and quite happy teaching and researching where they are.

[young_clinton]

Why apply to Korea with that? I guess you could apply to EPIK. Maybe you don't have a degree from an Ivy League university.

[atwood]

[IBD]

[PRagic]

Again, I said that the degree could indeed open doors; never disputed that. They are, after all, going to work in education, so degress in education are a plus, and the IVY stamp can only help.

I meant that the credentials were percieved to be 'soft' vis-a-vis comparisons with other majors, not by way of comparison with other programs. Really depends on what you're doing in education. For example, if you're working in development and economics in conjunction with education, there are hard policy and econometric tools that bolster skill sets. And I do know people who work in these fields. Education in terms of English teacher training? No, so I tip my hat to your experirence there.

As far as pecking orders of universities go, you're largely right in that there is a deep, deep drop off in quality after you get past the top 10 or 20 or so here in Asia. But you're also quite right in that any outside perceptions of my position are of little consequence to me. I research Asian oriented topics and some of the tops in the field are right here in our backyard (Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China, etc...). At the biggest conferences in our field, the hot sessions resemble a UN meeting in terms of diversity.

Academics are mostly regarded in terms of SCI/SSCI publications , not where they work. Usually, though, as in most cases in most countries, very active researchers tend to gravitate to the best programs which usually (but not always) tend to be at the best schools. So it's not that your employer isn't necessarily unimportant, it's that there's definitely a correlation between active researchers and university quality. Same goes for the universe of universities and colleges across the globe.

There are all different preferences when it comes to a career in academe. What you term a 'failed academic' may just be a person who chooses to concentrate on teaching rather than reseach. Or someone who had perhaps planned on working for an R1 school, but other committments (family or professional) got in the way of maintaining a steady stream of publications. There are a lot of jobs at public and private universities globally that support these careers. No need to come to Asia if you don't want to be here. Heck, the ME pays better and they're hiring across the board constantly!

The sad fact is that only about 30% of academics will ever hold tenure track gigs, and the percentages that make tenure and then the jump to full professor are even slimmer. Tough market and a lot of quality people simply fall off the radar having never gotten a break. Believe me when I say that my colleagues and I, no matter the country of employ, are highly congnizant of our good fortune. And we've all seen our fair share of academics from around the world get shaken from the university tree for not having been sufficiently productive. That whole publish or perish thing? Yup, it's real, and the pressure goes with it.

[young_clinton]

OP try this! You work a minimum of 5 years in your home country. Then apply for really good international schools in really good localities with high pay. What are the chances you'll land one with an Ivy League degree? Guess

[trueblue]

NICE! My university is on the list.

[robot]

There are a number of HGSE alum in Korea. PM if you'd like to get in touch.