Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mix1]

My contract is up in March, but I plan on staying another year (at this point I am fairly comfortable in Korea). I may renew at my current job, but I'm also considering a job teaching at a university, but not sure if it's a good offer. Salary seems low, but it's also low hours and lots of vacation time. But if I take the job I'll be taking a financial hit (I'm at 2.5 at my hagwon now).

university job: 2.2 mil per month (400,000 housing allowance), 12-16 hours per week, 4 months vacation, NO airfare.

current hagwon job: 2.5 mil per month, free housing (in a decent apartment), 32 hours a week (about 25 actual teaching hours), 10 -15 days vacation a year (depending on how the Korean holidays line up on the calendar), airfare, end of year bonus.

So, I am interested in a university position, but what kind of offer should I expect from a university? ( I have 3 years teaching experience, TEFL certification, but no Masters degree yet) I don't want to take the first lowball offer that comes my way though.

The vacation time is tempting at the uni job though and I'm pretty burned out at the hagwon I'm at now. The vacation time could be used for some side projects I have wanted to work on as well.

On the other hand, the job at my current hagwon is pretty decent (even if it isn't very challenging). I have built trust with the owner and students and have a pretty easy time of things, and I expect to get a raise (I don't know how much to expect or how much I should negotiate). They know I am only luke warm on staying and that I have been looking around for alternatives or maybe going home, but they definetely want me for another year. It is a very stable comfortable job for saving money, but it's also mind-numbingly boring at times and I feel I need a change.

Any suggestions or perspective? Thanks!

[OiGirl]

12-16 hours is kind of high for a university job, but without an MA you can't be too choosy. But it does sound like a "real" university job (not a unigwon,) and if they are giving a housing allowance they don't expect you to live in a dormitory.

[fred_c]

I'm in a similar situation as you are. I also recently received an offer from a uni. The hours and vacations are certainly better than my hagwon's. But I'd be taking a financial hit unless I pick up some overtime. Anyway, I posted my contract on the Contract Posting sticky, and I'm hoping to get some feedback from that in order to help me make my decision.

[Mix1]

Also, they want an interview with me this Wednesday.
Any advice related to that would be appreciated too.

[Hanson]

Even though the new job is at 2.2, you might be able to pick up some overtime or extra classes to pad the salary. Something you might want to ask about at the interview.

I say take the new job, get a feel for a different age group, enjoy your vacations and look for something even better once you have a little more experience.

I wouldn't suggest haggling over salary at a uni with your background. They have many applicants with your background or better...

[bassexpander]

12 to 16 hours "high" for a uni job?

12 to 16 is pretty much par for the course in Korea. Sure, there are exceptions, but they are very much the exception. For every uni job under 12 hours per week, you'll find 5 to 10 jobs that are over 12.

English department or Hagwon side. Doesn't matter.

[Desiree]

[Mix1]