Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Snowkr]

I'm about to finish my contract in 4 weeks and then I'm starting grad school in August. I'll be getting an M ed in Tesol and I'm taking out a rather hefty student loan.

I got through my undergrad work debt free so I'm new to this loan repayment thing.

My question is for any of you with a higher degree. Is it really worth it to come to Korea with a masters? Are jobs as easy to find? Will employers try to pay the same amount as a they would a teacher without the masters?

Please... any input from those with experience would be great. I'm considering coming back here in 2- 3 years to pay off my loan assuming that I graduate and get my M ed successfully!

[ttompatz]

[andrew]

*****

[tek75]

I just finished my Master's program last month, and I'm getting ready to come back to Korea soon. Just from the opportunities I've been getting already, it's clear that the degree (MA-TESOL) has made a big difference. And the program itself was very interesting and educational. I say, go for it!

[o_time]

Just Curious but what school are you getting your Masters at? Also to the other posters where did you get your Masters?

[VanIslander]

If one has taught in Korea already, has no roots here and went on to get a Master's, then consider going elsewhere afterwards.

There are plenty of colleges and universities in other nonEnglish-speaking countries that offer decent contracts for those with graduate degrees.

[SuperHero]

definitely

[Snowkr]

I'm going to Alliant International University in San Diego. I'll hopefully be finished in 14 to 18 months. I hadn't considered returning to Korea until I looked at the amount of debt I could have when I graduate. I don't want to pay on it forever and it's impossible to pay that kind of debt off in the states.

Korea seems like the best option for repayment. I just hate to spend all the money and time on a masters only to come back and teach little kids.
I wouldn't be willing to do it...

[RobinH]

If you want money, go to a uni or an oil co. in the Middle East. Go to Saudi if you think you could stand it there. You'll make enough to pay off any student load in 2-3 years. But, remember that some student loans don't allow you to pay the whole thing, they make you pay a set amount each month in order to get that interest from you. Make sure you know the rules for your loan company.

Come here if you enjoy Korea, an MATESOL, M.Ed, definitely makes it easier to get a uni job.

I keep coming back to Korea, even though I know I can make more in the ME. I just have a better quality of life in the ROK.

I'm glad I got my MATESOL degree. I learned that I was already a good teacher and I got to help a lot of classmates who were less experienced. It gave me a lot more confidence.

[justagirl]

My husband and I just finished our MA degrees--we were thinking about ESL/TESOL, but decided to get a straight ed degree and add on the tesol endorsement later. This way we have our official teaching certificate and our MA's. We both got jobs in the US starting at 40K.

Our plan is to head back overseas, but we thought a couple years of accredited experience would be a good thing to have under our belt (we both had over 3 years experience in Korea).

We probably won't pay it off as quickly as if we'd gone straight back to Korea, but it'll go quickly enough!

Good luck on your decision. Definitely think about getting your initial teaching certificate along with that TESOL degree.

[TECO]

Snowkr:

After getting my Master degree I went from a 30-hour a week job to a 10-hour a week position, and from 0 paid vacation to 5 1/2 months paid vacation.

Is the money better....? Well, you can look at it two ways. My wage is about the same as what I was making in a hogwan, but I'm in the classroom a lot less now and get paid for 5 months of vacation. During vacations, I'm not tied to work at all.....no meetings, no summer / winter camps, etc.

Benefits include:

- 1.5 month bonus each year
- 2 computers (desk top and IBM think pad)
- personal office
- mobile phone
- free transport to and from campus
- internet
- departmental assistants to help with administrative crap
- Modern classrooms - computers, internet, white boards, CD / DVD Players, projectors
- accommodation on-campus, if I wanted it
- paid summer / winter vacations and other national holidays
- access to publishing companies (Longman, OUP, CUP, etc) who will send me anything I ask for almost at no charge.
- Modern library with lots of Education and Linguistics journals / books

Before I had a Master degree, I never had any hogwan job that came close to the benefits I get now.

For me, it's not so much a matter of making more money (but money is obviously important), it's the quality of life in the work environment that I find important. Also, I want the autonomy to make my own decisions as far as methodology and teaching materials goes and this is more likely to come with positions that require a M.A. or PhD degree.

If you want to make money after your M.A., then head off to the UAE or Saudi, etc. The TEFL'ers out there are making big bucks. I've been in touch with a few people and so have some idea of what they're able to earn. Personally, I like Asia and don't think I'm ready for the M.E. yet. But you'd need an M.A. or PhD for the more lucrative positions in the M.E.

Get the M.A. as soon as you can. You're working life and the benefits you receive will likely improve by quite a bit and possibly your bank account also.

Like someone here once wrote: 'Don't walk to a master degree - run to one!'

[livinginkorea]

I am going to do one in October. Looking forward to it

[Snowkr]

Thank you all SO much for contributing to this thread.

I am feeling much more encouraged about going home and going into debt to do more study!

I appreciate all the feedback.

[teachingld2004]

Snowkr, I just put a posting onhe off topic forum. I am going to finish my Masters on line, starting this Sept.

You can stay in Korea and do it. I was going to go home this January to finish, but that would cost too much money.

You can take 6 credits a term, and finish in 3 years. Or, you can take summer classes and finish in 2.

You can work inkorea and study at the same time. You will not have any loans to pay back.

[RobinH]

If you decide to do an online MA, be aware that many schools will not hire you.