Korean Job Discussion Forums

ed4444 · Joined: 12 Oct 2004

Hi,

I was thinking of coming back to Korea next year to work in a University Job but only if I can get something in line with my experience and industry (Database Programming: 5+ Years
Lecturing/teaching: 2 Years).

Does anyone out there work in a Non-ESL University job at the moment that can give me advice?

I am wondering about the following:

1. How much would I get paid? (always the bottom line unfortunately!)
2. What kind of qualifications/experience would be expected?
3. Where and when are the jobs usually advertised?

I have some personal contacts in the big universities in Seoul that could help me out but I would like to know what to expect before seeing what doors they can open.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Maybe. Two questions:

1) Do you have a Ph.D.?
2) Are you published?

Most non-English teaching jobs at universities in Korea filter applicants through a point system. In many cases, and especially at the better schools, you have to have a completed dissertation and two articles published in international journals.

Visiting positions may work differently, particularly if you are in a tech. field. Not my area. Good luck. Keep us posted.

ed4444 · Joined: 12 Oct 2004

1. I have an MSc but not a PhD yet. I would be depending on name recognition from the companies I have worked for to bridge the shortfall.
Do you think that would be valued in Korea?

2. I have been published in Korea as a co-author but it is peripheral to the field I would like to lecture in.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

You might want to try out some of the 2-yr tech. colleges in and around Seoul. They tend to be more experience and less degree oriented. Do a web search for universities and colleges in Korea and go from there.

If you have started a Ph.D. program, you'll have a better shot at the 4-yr schools. The possible difficulties, and this is off the top of my head, are that 1) the tech classes tend to be taught in Korean by Koreans, 2) Korea has more Ph.D.s per capita than any othe country, and 3) a lot of the Korea tech Ph.D.s that go to teach have as much experience in large firms.

You never know. Hunt around and see what you can find out. Good luck.

ed4444 · Joined: 12 Oct 2004

Do 2-yr tech colleges offer courses through English? I didn't think do.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Who knows? What I can tell you is that not even the ENGLISH departments in Korea are hiring as many native speakers as they need. The opportunities for teaching non-English classes are not too easy to come by, especially if you don't have the Ph.D., and you are not published. I'm in the process of trying to find another position now, and it is slow going.

ed4444 · Joined: 12 Oct 2004

Maybe I''ll just work as a software consultant when I go back to Korea.

I can do it without changing from the company I am in now.

I just would have preferred getting back into education if possible even if it meant a bit of a drop in cash.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

That's a better move, especially if your company will put you up in some decent digs. You'll be able to scout out teaching opportunities at your convenience while making some decent coin. University jobs don't pay all too well in Korea, as I'm sure you know. Cheers, and good luck with it.