Korean Job Discussion Forums

[autumn]

Hey,

I just got a job offer in Changwon at KJC 21. I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with the school, whether it is reliable or a good place to work or whatever I need to know. I understand it might be a new branch, so if anyone has experience with the company in general that would be awesome.

Also, how is Changwon?

I am terrified!

Thanks!

[Vango]

I had a phone interview yesterday with a new KJC that is opening in Changwon about now. My recruiter said they told her that they want to hire me, and it looks likely that I am about to get offered a job. Apparently there are already two foreign teachers hired, and I would be the third. Did you accept the job and are you one of the two people already hired? Like you, I don't know much about the school .... and it's difficult to get references from anyone when it's a new branch with no previous foreign teachers!

[Changwon Charlie]

The market in changwon is saturated.
Opening a new school now is a bad idea...especially in the built up areas of sangnamdong and deabangdong.

If you are going to this school I hope the owners are extremely business savvy and/or will make their school stand out compared to others as if they don't there isn't much hope.

I know as when i moved back here we did a lot of research on opening a new hagwon and there is just no space in the market.

Rents are way too high for initial returns and new schools to be honest are all running losses it seems with the exception of Poly and Avalon in Sangnamdong.

Good luck but come with the expectation of problems 6 months down the track. If it isn't a famous name amongst koreans (like the above), new hagwons stand little chance.

Sorry to break it to you like that but it is smart to know what you are walking into instead of just hoping for the best.

On changwon
You can look at the thread i started here
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=164270&highlight=changwon

City website in English is here
http://eng.changwon.go.kr/home/home.jsp

[autumn]

Thanks!
I actually ended up taking the job, I'm already here in Changwon. We don't have a ton of students at the school yet, but I'm hoping we won't go out of business. There are a ton of hagwons in the area though, you're right.

[Vango]

autumn, it would be really helpful to hear about your experiences so far, as I am seriously considering taking the job. Could you drop me an email? (address is in my profile). I don't think I can send any PMs because I don't have enough posts.

Cheers!

[Changwon Charlie]

[autumn]

No, I've only been here since Monday, so we havent been paid yet. It all seems very legit though. We went to another branch of the chain and the foriegn teachers there had nothing but good things to say about it.

[Changwon Charlie]

Nice. good luck with it.