Korean Job Discussion Forums

[vertical loser]

I'm looking at Korea as an option. In fact I'm scouring the job boards on various sites, and see there are quite a few uni jobs in Korea. But how hard is it to land a job while offshore? What do you think my chances are? I have a recently acquired PhD from an Australian uni (Educational policy studies), twenty plus publications including my own academic book, but little uni experience. I have a postgrad dip.ed (English, History), but no formal ESL qual. Most of my 16 years experience in education is in secondary teaching - English, ESL, Communications, History. I have worked in a couple of uni prep programs, and been a director of studies for a year (China), and supervised a few doctoral students part-time. I have taught in Asia eight years (Taiwan, China, Hong Kong).

I'm just wondering if it is worth it investing the time applying for uni jobs in Korea from offshore. It seems many unis want Korea experience.

BTW, I have been to Korea before for a few weeks, so I do have some idea of what it's like, though obviously no in depth experience. I have looked around this board and now realise that if I make it back I will be assailed by hyper-nationalist, supemacist, racist xeonophobes out to strip me of my human dignity (and for ever-diminishing amounts of cash), but after attending my Anthony Robbins weekend seminar, I believe I am up for the challenge.

Any feedback would be appreciated. VL

[Trevor]

Is time and/or money a factor? You can get a first-tier position with a little work, but I really, really suggest you visit. Your chances of making a disastrous error are drastically reduced if you meet prospective schools in person (just like home; it's not rocket science).

That being said, if money for the trip is a factor, I recommend you come over first on a one month 'camp' contract (winter or summer). That's what I did for my first contract. I interviewed from there and found a great school for my second contract. Best decision I ever made.

[Drew345]

I did get a Uni job from overseas 3 years ago; so yes, it is possible.
The Spring session starts Mar 1, so they should have made their offers for spring already; but some people will probably back out at the last minute.
My bit of advice is that you need to really know the requirements for the visa, because the University probably doesn't. They are not big hirers, and may not keep up with the latest regulations. When I got the job offer, the university staff told me right then to go and Fed Ex my diploma to them immediately so they can apply for my visa. I paid $30 and did that. What they didn't know is that they needed sealed transcripts also (new rule 3 years ago). I did know about that (from reading Dave's), so had the transcripts ordered already, but it kind of made the Fed Ex rush of diploma wasted money. The new fire drill seems to be criminal record checks. Make sure you know if you need this or not because this is the first time the Universities are dealing with it also.

[vertical loser]

So the one month camp is for school kids, right?

I appreciate your suggestion, and it no doubt has lots of merit. But I don't think I will do it, as Korea is just one option I'm looking at, and I don't have a lot of time. If I did come over beforehand I'd have to plan it out well to optimise my options. Most liklely it would be a week or two at most.

[MarionG]

The big hiring push for the beginning of the school year on March 1 was in September and October, with lesser unis looking November and December, and a few still looking.

Your qualifications look excellent... but your timing is late.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[PRagic]

You'll probably want to check out individual university web sites for positions in education departments (tenure track or visiting professor slots). Avoid the ESL positions, although some education departments might have you teach a class or two.

You shouldn't have a problem getting hired on with your qualifications, and your list of publications will make you an attractive candidate.

Here's a listing for Sogang University. It is for a visitorship (up to 3 years), but seems to be right up your alley. You might be able to extend to a tenure track. The upside is that you'd be here, it's in a great part of Seoul, and you'd be able to jockey for other positions at your liesure.

http://chronicle.com/jobs/id.php?id=0000543883-01&pg=s&cc=

Good luck to you. There are some great jobs here for Ph.Ds.

[vertical loser]

Having a PhD is no guarantee of a job. I finished my thesis nearly two years ago, and was formally awarded the degree nearly a year ago. In that time I have applied for about 50-60 jobs, got two interviews (one by phone - waste of time), and received no job offers. Like any industry, connections are vital for uni jobs. I have become isolated teaching in Asia, and haven't garnered the connections I need. Really, I don't know what you need to get a uni job these days. My thesis reports were unbelievably good, I've got over 20 papers published, my own book, book chapters, conference papers, out of this world references from top academics... I could go on.

Also, uni jobs where I come from are barely worth it. Low pay, loads of work, and an increasingly automated credentialist system. At least in many Asian unis there is often quite a bit less work, and you might get housing, and with lower tax too. I want a bit of time to do my own own writing and research.

My current job in Hong Kong pays more than twice what I'd earn in Korea or Japan, three times what I'd get in Taiwan, and ten times what I'd get in China (I won't go to China, though because of poor conditions and terrible pay). Still, I'm over teaching high school. I've been doing it too long. I need a change. Also, when they ask for my affiliation for my published papers, writing "X high school" is a joke. I need a more credible affiliation to further my career.

[PRagic]

Wow! Your high school job in Hong Kong pays more than 140 USD a year? Sounds pretty good to me!

Did you check out the link for the Sogang position I posted?

Published papers are great. As you probably know, though, the only ones that 'count' are the one published with decent international journal impact factor ratings. This is the at least the case in Korea. Also, the publisher level of the book and chapters will dictate the value of that work during the application process. I published a book in Korea back in 1996, but I don't even bother putting it on my CV! I'm not trying to be critical as obviously I don't know your work; just saying how it is in Korea when you're going for university tenure track jobs.

Have you looked into university positions there in H.K.? Personally, I couldn't handle the heat, so H.K. and Singapore are not options for me. If you're used to it, though, why not?

There ARE jobs in Korea, and they are actively recruiting. More and more ads will be popping up around May. Keep an eye on the university web sites and on the Chronicle of High Education's web site. One year out of a Ph.D. program is not that long without a university job, especially since here it is tough if not impossible to get jobs when you're ABD.

Again, good luck with your search. Not worth it to come over here for a week or two right now. Wait for an interview opportunity.

[vertical loser]

[PRagic]

Yikes, you're logging some serious hours.

Just my opinion, but you probably shouldn't be bothering with the job postings on Dave's. With an occaisional exception, they are ESL teaching jobs where an MA (sometimes a BA) suffice. Again, scan individual web pages for some of the bigger universities when hiring time comes around and keep on eye on the Chronicle of Higher Education job postings.

You'll be going for tenure track or 3 year visitorships with a 2-3 course load per semester. Starting salaries should be, at the low end, around 4 thousand USD/month, and you should get housing plus about 5 months of vacation per year. I'm not in an education or English department, so the terms may differ a bit. Not a bad ballpark figure to work from, though.

Best of luck to you. -P.R.

[vertical loser]

Well, those conditions are a lot better than I thought, PR. Actually, I do not consider myself an ESL teacher, and will only take ESL positions if nothing else comes up. I am an English and History teacher, originally. My PhD is in policy studies, and covers quite a lot of ground in various fields - intelligence theory, philosophy/history of science, futures studies, education... Its general nature is both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending upon how you look at it. VL

[Suwoner10]

PhD? You want to teach in Korea? Are you on crack?

[PRagic]

Hmmm. Have you checked out the starting salaries for Ph.D.s in many U.S. states and Canada? Assistant prof. jobs here paying 60-70K USD/year look pretty good, especially if your research interests deal with Korea. Associate prof. raises sweeten the pot, too. I know recent grads or those at the ABD stage who have turned down jobs in major U.S. cities because they just can't afford to live there.

Sure, Seoul is expensive, so the salaries are perhaps only on par with state schools in the U.S. Still, if you want to get out and about, it's not too bad. Singapore and H.K. schools pay a bit better, so if that's where one wants to be, and a job comes up, I say go for it.

It's not easy to get foreign profs. to come to Korea, I know. Most are already settled down or in the process of settling down when they finish up their Ph.D.s, so a move to Korea isn't generally in the cards. For those who want to work here, though, there are some great opportunities. In the future, things will only improve even more.

The long and short of it is that I know very, VERY few people who became professors for the money. As long as the salaries are equitable, and there are opportunities for some professional development and stimulation, most are pretty happy. Personally, I'd just rather work here than in most places in N. America. Europe? Maybe someday, but I haven't heard good things about their employment packages, either!

[Homer]

It depends.

If you want to teach English at a University, you might find it hard to lock up a position from offshore as you put it.

If on the other hand you are looking for a guest lecturer position (there are more and more of those) then you can most definitively get hired from off shore. You can look into exchange programs from your University if you are working for them (if not nevermind that).

You can also, if you are published in your field or working for a reasearch group you can contact the relevant department of Korean universities and apply there as a guest lecturer.

So, you have a few choices out there.

I also think this is an accurate assessement of the situation: