Korean Job Discussion Forums

traxxe · Joined: 21 Feb 2007

Stick with university or go to a public school?

I make 2.2 mil but no housing. After my apartment I make 1.85 plus 3-4 months vacation, 4 day work week, usually actual teaching time of about 15 hours.

I will have a Master's in history at the end of December. I also have a 100 hour tefl cert. 3 years teaching experience in Korea...

I'll get bumped to 1.95 (after I deduct what I pay for my apartment) next year.

From what I understand I'd make close to the top payscale with some public schools. Then adding housing I'd at least make 2.3/2.4 right?

Is it worth taking less vacation and more hours for 300-400 a month?

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

The answer to your question depends on what you do with those vacations. Personally, I use them to visit my family and I wouldn't give that up for a measly 300-400 per month. On the other hand, if you don't do anything with those vacations and need the money it might be worth it. But it isn't worth it if your uni gig is easy on you and doesn't come with hassles.

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

I'm not sure on this one, but can't you get a better uni job than that?

You will have a masters, 3 years experience (not sure how many are with a uni), and a TEFL.

There must be uni jobs willing to pay you 2.2 including housing ... I'm shocked you can't find that.

I say stick with uni, but find a better one to work at.

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

Good point! With 3 years experience an MA and a TEFL, you should be able to do better salary wise if you know how to dress and interview.

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

Traxxe,

Dave's Job Board Posting from August 1st:

Hanseo University

2.5 million won per month
Housing included near the university
Either 12 or 14 hours per week.

I can't be sure if the 3-week camp is included in their vacation offer, but you get either 17 or 14 weeks of vacation.

They need someone ASAP. Shoot them a resume and be ready to interview.

(Hey Jellobean, how's it going in the US? Are you happy to be home? I'll talk with you more when you get back here next month. Smile

)

TBirdMG · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: SF, CA, USA

Granted, the 3-4 months vacation time is VERY nice, but there are public and private school jobs offering 2.6-3.0 PLUS housing for someone with your qualifications.

You should be able to teach at one of the elite high schools in the top 4 cities without putting all too much into the job search. You could also end up teaching subjects like AP history and SAT classes for decent OT money (40k+/hour).

As you're already in country, and still considering a new job, it might be worthwhile to send your resume with an introduction in Korean to a short list of schools in your targeted city.

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Get a better university job. Cue the Jefferson's theme song and move on up.

Just a quick note, though. When figuring pay, many universities base your experience on how much you've taught after your highest degree. Once you finish your MA, you may be back to 'zero experience' where pay is concerned. However, the experience will count toward getting you the interview and the job, which is the priority. Just something to ask about. No biggie.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Pretty standard, really. Most people don't have to deal with this because they don't have a change of degree status at one place. Check with your school. I've been through it, but, as you suggest, it might not be a universal here in Korea.

So, for example, when I finished my Ph.D., I got a raise for the change in degree status, but not additional raises based on years of experience. My next year, I was given the pay raise based on 1 year of additional experience (after finishing my degree). The same would happen if someone finished their MA after having gained experience working with only their BA.

My friends with MAs continued to receive incremental bonuses based on their cummulative experience after they had finished the degree.

And, yes, when you get a job with a Ph.D., only your experience after having finished the degree counts in your salary calculations.

traxxe · Joined: 21 Feb 2007

A better uni job seems to be the best idea. I have to wait a semester though as I have one left at my uni.

That Hanseo job was the first decent uni job I have seen posted in a while.

I forgot to mention that the MA is from a regionally/internationally accredited online uni in the states. I'm sure that will lower my qualifications in some eyes. Which is silly in this country since the education was far more difficult and held to an educational standard most uni's in this country lack.

aka Dave · Joined: 02 May 2008 Location: Down by the river

It does help if they know the school you went to, especially if it's a respected school. My boss told me explictly this was important when she hired me.

Even when I worked for a hagwon, the boss was considering hiring someone, and the applicant went to an obscure, small private school in the midwest. My boss asked about the school and since I'd never heard of it he asked me to check it out on the web. It was actually a very expensive, semi-elite university.

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

aka Dave,

And after you found out the school was an expensive, semi-elite university, what did your boss do?

OP,

Even if you did an online degree, it's all in how you play it up. You might not be able to convince someone that it's the same as an elite ivy-league school, but you can still try to convince someone that it's respectable.

Good luck.