Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Seul]

Hi all, I currently am working at a public elementary school in Seoul. They are giving me until November 13th to tell them whether I intend to renew.

At my public school, I am treated well and respected by the staff and kids. I teach about eighteen 40 minute classes a week. It is very comfortable.

I am very happy working there and I definitely would not want to leave to work at a hagwon. But, I would like to have more vacation than what is offered at a public school to spend more time with my family.

I wonder what are the chances that I can snag a university job in Seoul?

I have:
-A Masters degree with a focus in International Business
-1 year experience as a SMOE elementary school teacher
-100 hour online TESOL certificate
-About 1.5 years as the organizer of Korean & English language exchange social group back in the United States. I have different magazine and newspaper articles to present that shows this is a serious organization. There were over 200 members.
-Non teaching real estate related work experience

My fear is that I tell my school that I will not renew and then I am not able to find a university job in Seoul. What do you think? Renew? Or move forward?

[cruisemonkey]

[Xuanzang]

Tell them you will renew while making efforts to snag a university gig. If one falls through, you have a fallback position. It's the Korean way.

[KoreanAmbition]

I agree with Xuanzang.

Are you on an F-visa by chance? If you are, then switching jobs shouldn't be a problem.

The problem is that your MA is unrelated which is the same problem that I have. You might have trouble getting jobs in Seoul because it sounds like there's a lot of competition this year.

If you don't mind relocating, then I say go for it and you should be able to get something.

If you're a bit picky about where you go and what you teach, then you might want to renew at your current job and spend the rest of this year networking and trying to set yourself up for a better job next year (with an extra year of experience.) If your current job is comfortable, then staying won't be a big deal, and you will also have more time to shop around and plan for your next move with more efficiency.

Just my opinion. Good luck though.

[Seul]

Thanks for the responses. I am just going to fill out the renewal application as you are suggesting and start applying to see if I can snag anything.

I am comfortable at my job, but I would like to move on to university.

I am on an E2 visa btw.

[Faunaki]

I'd stay at your job because you know what to expect. You can always work at a uni later after you've put a couple of years in with SMOE, get bored with it and hit the top of the pay scale.