Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hadeshorn]

I was a little bit nervous coming back to Korea. There arent any long term prospects here really except for teaching. Kudos to the people that have found cool non teaching jobs tho.

But I found myself looking at the shadow of my own mortality when I got back the first time. I couldnt believe a year had past and I was back home again. Things had changed and I realised, I am gonna blink and im gonna be old and retired. This scared the crap out of me as my long term plans got totally screwed with the whole ass falling out of the IT industry.

So anyway after all these jitters, I finally get my ass into gear to come back. I also got very sentimental when I had "I still call Australia home" playing on my iPod as the plane was taking off. I realised how much I loved Australia.

But after getting back to Korea. It all seemed like a dream. Like I had never left. It was all so familar and great. I havent felt bored once since I have been back (Thats about 48 hours tho). I am also very glad to be back. I have lined up some job interviews for this week. I did have a cushy type of job set up for Monday teaching at an Elementary school for 2.4 for 100 hours. However I got a plum job handed to me at another school thats even better.

So the main reason I am writing this personal letter to me, is because I have had some posts before about the uncertainities about coming back and just wanted to share my experience if anyone else was kind of in the same boat. But here are some important things I learnt.

The return ticket to get into Korea was NOT NEEDED. I seethed with anger when the guy didnt check for it. I am not out of pocket for it, but it would be nice to have the cash in hand instead of hassling my next boss for the money for it.

Coming over on your own coin and staying with friends is the way to go. I cant stress how cool it is to come over with endless possibilities and checking them out. Instead of coming over and being locked into a deal that might screw you. Instead of fitting into their schedule and not liking it. You can find a schedule or deal that fits you.

Coming back when life at home seems so dead has made me happier then I have been in 3 months. However I do miss my friends at home, but at the same time its good to see the old ones back in Seoul.

Check the job discussion thread as well, as I am writing about something sucky happening at my old school that makes me glad not to work there anymore.

[Zenpickle]

Welcome back!

I absolutely love posts like these.

I'm an American, but I went through something similar to your feelings. Things were going great with a six-figure salary, and then the IT industry pooped out. I lost everything, my wife left me for a bodybuilder, and I couldn't get another job in IT for a year. Korea was my absolute last resort.

Now I'm happier than I've been in years and at peace.

[rapier]

welcome back.
It can be tricky getting a decent job in your field, in the west. It can take a lot of time and expense, hassles and dissapointments. Even after a couple years working in your chosen profession, you can still be bored, frustrated, and struggling to get on top financially, (mortgage, bills, car, etc).
I must admit I have to thank the Lord for esl sometimes. You can score a job in days and save more than you would back home.
Koreas not so bad once you learn how to live here.

[skinhead]

Great post, hadeshorn. Mrs Skinny and I will be back in a few years from now, but some "2nd time in Korea" friends have given us some ugly feedback about their return experience. I like to hear a positive story like yours once in a while. It'll be easier for us going back, coz the wife's parents live in Seoul (right across the park from my old school - shudder), so we'll be able to camp out there until the right job comes along. The first thing I do whenever I go back to Seoul is to go down to chongno and sit up in the 4th floor window of that coffee shop right there in the middle of the traffic and the buzz. Just fun to watch the turbo-ness of Koreans sometimes from a distance. Helps me come back to terms with the fact that it ain't Aust.

Have fun mate.

[OiGirl]

Isn't it the greatest feeling to return to Korea? The first time, I had feared that I had over-romanticized it in my mind, and that I would be terribly dissappointed. Nothing could be further from the truth! Every day I saw things that I had forgotten I missed.

[manlyboy]

[skinhead]

[quote="manlyboy"]

[Gollum]

[trevorcollins]

[quote="skinhead"]

[inkoreaforgood]

Welcome back Hadeshorn!! Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll find a decent job soon enough.

Did the same as you, went back home and decided to come back. It was hard at first, but after a while things got better. Still getting better, actually.

[Falstaff]

[hadeshorn]

Well an update:

I went to an interview at an elementary school today. At first the directors wife was scary as hell but she seemed decent enough towards the end.

Pro's
- I dont have anyone breathing down my back at work. No director, NO one. I rock up to the school and leave again.
- Start at 1pm finish at 6 or 7. Maybe even earlier depending on what students turn up.
- Salary goes when more students attend.
- NO REPORT CARDS. BOO YA!
- Curriculum I have used before.
- Own place
- I get to jump into the place a little earlier then when the contract starts.
- Since my ticket expires August 6th, they will let me finish 1 month early with severance still.

Con.
-2.0 mil salary for 3 months of "probation". But goes up to 2.1 mil then 2.2 when more students attend.
- Elementary students (No real conversation).
- A lot of this contracts good points (Eg going home early and raise to 2.2) are based on increase on student numbers and good performance. Which gives the potential for a major screw over!

This other international school job is CUSHY! Like the salary is basically the same as above. But I get to teach IT. My own classroom. ETC. The hours are great. People are great. I am prayig to a multitude of dieties that I get this gig! If I dont, I will resent any other job I may get because none could compare to the coolness of this one.

I am also going thru the steps of finding a place to live.

Stay tuned for that adventure!

[bibimbap]

[just because]

[spliff]

[quote="trevorcollins"]