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jaceduval
Joined: 16 May 2007
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 Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:27 pm Post subject: Life after Teaching in Korea |
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| I was just curious to what some of you do once you are finished teaching in Korea or any type of ESL program. What kind of career do you pursue? Does teaching in Korea for a couple years hurt your resume when employers look at it? Are you happy going back to reality and working a steady 9-5 job? I'm sure this question has been brought up before but it would be appreciated for some input/advice. Thanks!! |
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sarbonn
Joined: 14 Oct 2008
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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| I can't see how it would be seen negatively on your resume, unless you write it so that it seems more like you're apologizing rather than praising it. Employers tend to look for a solid work history, and if you have been teaching for a few years at the same place, that's going to bode well for you. Teaching is not seen as a negative activity, or something that seems like you were partying for the last few years, unless you somehow represent it that way. |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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I shall be starting my own blog when I return back to the UK in two weeks. I have decided to return back to my home country with my Korean wife and British son. For the record, I met my wife in the UK, got married there and my son was born in Newcastle.
I am returning after three years solid work experience and I shall be blogging about my return and the experiences that I have whilst in my home country.
P.s. - Sorry to go off topic a little. Does anyone know a good blogging website that is free to register so that I can blog about my repatriation experience? |
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Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida
Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Location: Not Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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I read this site to remind myself that no matter how irritated I get now there are worse places to work.
Anyway, SK had 0 impact on my career because I had credibility before I chose to teach. Almost 4 years and 3 certifications later I'm quite happy not doing ESL. |
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ManintheMiddle
Joined: 20 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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Pa Jan mused:
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| read this site to remind myself that no matter how irritated I get now there are worse places to work. |
Not exactly a ringing endorsement of South Korea but a sentiment commonly expressed on this board.
Frankly, unless money is your main object, I can't think of many worse places to teach. |
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K-in-C
Joined: 27 Mar 2003
Location: Heading somewhere
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:07 am Post subject: Blog |
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| wordpress.com |
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Toon Army
Joined: 12 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:15 am Post subject: |
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| Whistleblower wrote: |
For the record, I met my wife in the UK, got married there and my son was born in Newcastle.
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Good man,another geordie lad...... hope you didn`t take him south of the tyne to the land of the unwashed  |
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OiGirl
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: Hoke-y-gun
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:31 am Post subject: |
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| I'm a career ESL/EFL teacher, so just went on teaching at home. They hired several teachers who had been in Korea in a few years. Most of us have since quit to go back to school. |
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jdog2050
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:57 am Post subject: Re: Life after Teaching in Korea |
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| jaceduval wrote: |
| I was just curious to what some of you do once you are finished teaching in Korea or any type of ESL program. What kind of career do you pursue? Does teaching in Korea for a couple years hurt your resume when employers look at it? Are you happy going back to reality and working a steady 9-5 job? I'm sure this question has been brought up before but it would be appreciated for some input/advice. Thanks!! |
I think that the main sentiment is that most employers don't *care*. It's neither a plus nor a benefit if you don't do something with your time here. So, in the short term, it's meaningless, but the longer you stay here *just teaching*, the longer it becomes a bit of a black hole on your resume.
this is assuming you're not going into ESL, or have a good amount of experience from your "main" field. |
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michaelambling
Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Location: Paradise
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Life after Teaching in Korea |
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| jdog2050 wrote: |
| jaceduval wrote: |
| I was just curious to what some of you do once you are finished teaching in Korea or any type of ESL program. What kind of career do you pursue? Does teaching in Korea for a couple years hurt your resume when employers look at it? Are you happy going back to reality and working a steady 9-5 job? I'm sure this question has been brought up before but it would be appreciated for some input/advice. Thanks!! |
I think that the main sentiment is that most employers don't *care*. It's neither a plus nor a benefit if you don't do something with your time here. So, in the short term, it's meaningless, but the longer you stay here *just teaching*, the longer it becomes a bit of a black hole on your resume.
this is assuming you're not going into ESL, or have a good amount of experience from your "main" field. |
This is very true. Companies don't really care what you've been doing with your time if it isn't direct experience doing exactly the mundane tasks they want from you. So if you're applying for a job rubber stamping insurance forms, they aren't interested in you unless you've had three years' experience stamping insurance forms, even if you've taught English for three years, have a Ph.D. in astrophysics, cured cancer...
The corporate world sucks. I'll never go back to it. |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:45 am Post subject: |
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| Toon Army wrote: |
| Whistleblower wrote: |
For the record, I met my wife in the UK, got married there and my son was born in Newcastle.
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Good man,another geordie lad...... hope you didn`t take him south of the tyne to the land of the unwashed |
He was born close to the stadium but as we were visiting Newcastle (and neither of us Geordies albeit my grandmother is) we spent just one week there.
We live far far south of the river but we do try to visit our homeland every now and then. I sometimes have trouble understanding the locals. Imagine a group of Korean students are transported to Geordie Land, they would have immense difficulties and think they are in a different country. |
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GB
Joined: 14 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:53 am Post subject: |
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I returned to England last year.
I am now coming back to the ROK in March.
I have been earning �'s more in England then I ever would in Korea, but you also spend a lot more on rent etc etc.
I wasn't teaching so the experience didn't really count. I just returned to my old job. Problem is that most of the people were there doing exactly the same things they were 2 years previously. Very strange to feel I had changed but they hadn't.
It is also getting very depressing listening to the news on the economy / teenage stabbings etc etc. |
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rusty1983
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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| GB wrote: |
I returned to England last year.
I am now coming back to the ROK in March.
I have been earning �'s more in England then I ever would in Korea, but you also spend a lot more on rent etc etc.
I wasn't teaching so the experience didn't really count. I just returned to my old job. Problem is that most of the people were there doing exactly the same things they were 2 years previously. Very strange to feel I had changed but they hadn't.
It is also getting very depressing listening to the news on the economy / teenage stabbings etc etc. |
Ive spent most of my time working in a decent TEFL job and saving probably a little more than I was in Korea. Got lucky in many ways (although it has been a long story).
I did try at different times to get a different job and got some interviews. It was a surprise but I was getting put forward for jobs in education, not great ones, but my classroom experience seemed to count for something.
Although here I stalled as my Korean school werent doing their bit with my reference, not a problem for me in the end but could have caused many problems.
However, all this was before the 'economic crash' etc etc so things are somewhat different.
The US and UK definitely arent gonna be easy to look for jobs in at the moment, and if I lose this job Im going abroad again, no question.
Dont wanna be all doom and gloom, but I have been hearing of many many jobs cuts and that people are having a hard time finding employment. Everyone is very nervous in the UK.
I think I could get a job as an office monkey somewhere but I do not want to go back to it. If I was planning to quit teaching, I would only be looking to go back to do a master's.
If you dont have any experience you might find it hard (like was said above). I was turned away for lots of rubbish jobs for not having '2 years experience in the administrative field.
I think a year abroad shows certain attributes, like youre willing and able to do something that actually does take some guts. You might be more than just a drone. But it doesnt show youre someone who can instantly be essential to the company during times when they are trying to stay afloat.
I'd say you will probably find something but it could take time. Unless you're a little lucky or connected expect a couple of months.
I was getting very frustrated before I found this job and was close to just jumping back over to Korea.
With regards to TEFL, my year in Korea helped me get a job. It helped me with crowd-control (adults are much much easier to handle) and I find I can entertain adults easily.
However, Korea gave me no experience in exam classes, or even experience with the standard TEFL books so Ive been playing catch-up. Spent alooooot of time covering up my flaws and avoiding more difficult aspects of the job.
It is almost like a new job even though Im over 18 months into it.
To be honest it didnt start me off all that well in TEFL at all.
The press are doom-merchants though, as are many many people you meet so dont be put off aandd have some patience. |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks rusty for that reply. I am looking forward to going back to the UK and my wife is already telling me that everyone is unhappy and nervous about losing their jobs.
Really depressing but in someways in Korea, people try not look at the negativities that much and then are schocked that they lost their job within a day and lived in cloud cuckoo land thinking their job would be for life.
Anyways, I am positive about finding some work and may start as a freelancer but never say never. I may find suitable work and a school that is reputable wants me to come over to meet them for a chat. Perhaps this would be positive.
Updated my blog about my plans, hopes and dreams: http://thereturningresident.blogspot.com/ |
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jdog2050
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Whistleblower wrote: |
Thanks rusty for that reply. I am looking forward to going back to the UK and my wife is already telling me that everyone is unhappy and nervous about losing their jobs.
Really depressing but in someways in Korea, people try not look at the negativities that much and then are schocked that they lost their job within a day and lived in cloud cuckoo land thinking their job would be for life.
Anyways, I am positive about finding some work and may start as a freelancer but never say never. I may find suitable work and a school that is reputable wants me to come over to meet them for a chat. Perhaps this would be positive.
Updated my blog about my plans, hopes and dreams: http://thereturningresident.blogspot.com/ |
I went back to the US last March, and that's what got to me...a kind of miasma of depression. And that was just with the gas prices.
I think that our time here is valuable in a very roundabout way, especially if you'd only been here for a year or two. It shows employers that you can travel easily and put up with new situations. But again, after two years, you better start either: getting out of teaching into a related EFL field (supervisor, publishing, etc), get a TEFL cert or Masters, or go home.
It's the same as if, back home, you were a marketing assistant for 4 years. Wow, 4 years, and you were only a marketing assistant eh? Didn't move up, didn't get more responsibility? Hmm. |
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