Korean Job Discussion Forums

[davester13]

What's your opinion of a teacher "networking" with his or her ADULT students? I've heard of teachers who have done both social networking (making friendships, dating) and business networking (finding future jobs). Is this a good or bad idea?

[Captain Corea]

I've actually been successful at introducing my students to each other (business wise).

[canuckistan]

Friendships = good

Business relationships = be careful about what exactly

Dating = bad.....if you value your sanity do not go there!

[Juregen]

IMHO "networking" is one way of m,aking your life easier.

Information seldom goes public in Korea, you need to know people who can give you that information.

I am getting a free MBA program just because of that.

[Ya-ta Boy]

canuckistan is right

To expand a bit on the business part: Korea operates on personal relationships. The more people you know, the more opportunities you will have. Exploit (in the good sense) those relationships and opportunities.

[Otus]

Business-wise, this is the toughest country I've been in for networking. Family relationships can and often do rule over all else. Alternatively, having attended the same kindergarten 30 years ago and having kept in touch off and on over the years will get a foot in the door. Aside from that, finishing military service in a sane condition with a clean record can be utilized more greatly than a university degree, but the two need to be coupled together.

In my opinion:

A foreigner needs to demonstrate sheer genius at performance level, be shrewd enough to avoid exploitation without coming across as aggressive in the ridiculously imitational way many do, and must also remain completely in the shadows without mouthing off: almost impossible for ESL teachers. Then you could still be mistrusted and dumped for not conforming to any known stereotype.

Anyway, just trying to reconcile a lot of experienced contradictions and express an opinion.

[Juregen]

[Otus]

No

[ajuma]

Some of my best Korean friends are those I've met through adult classes. Why not? You help them sometimes, they help you sometimes...that's what friendship is about!!

As for dating...wait until the class is over, or the one you're interested in stops taking your class!

[PRagic]

As long as you remember one rule of thumb there shouldn't be a problem. The rule is, 'In Korea, once you are an English teacher in someone's eyes, you're ALWAYS an English teacher.' I can't tell you the good laughs I've had at people that come over to 'teach while they network for a corporate job'. They may actaully get introduced to someone at a large company, but it is to...yup, you guessed it...teach English.

If you want to work corporate in Korea, get hired somewhere else, get your corporate indoctrination over with, and come on over if you can. You'll have a better standard of life anyway.

On a personal level, if you want to hang out with your adult students and form friendships, particularly if you met them through an institute class, why not? Professionally, though, unless your impetuts is to stay in teaching, but to teach somewhere else, I'd say it's a bust.

[EdInstead]

[EdInstead]

[mateomiguel]

[canuckistan]