Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chorong]

I've been haunting the ESL-Korea message boards now for about a year and I'm a year away from graduating with my 4 year degree. My concern is that by the time I get my degree the job market will have tightened even more.

I currently work and attend school full time but if I could somehow work a volunteer position, like tutoring a kid or teaching Sunday School, would that be beneficial at all?

To give you an idea of what I'll be looking for next fall: I'm a 30 year old biracial female and an F4 visa holder. I'm not really picky about where I'll be placed however I have zero teaching experience (other than tutoring my mother and her friends) and I'll be looking to be placed at a hagwon. Since I'm not applying to any public schools, would it even be worth it to get my TEFL certificate online?

Also, I keep reading conflicting recommendations as to whether or not it's better to look for a job after flying over or conducting the job search from the States. I recently had a friend come home after teaching in Korea and she said that she didn't understand why I would do that and it would be a waste of time.

Any advice?

[BoholDiver]

If you are concerned with doing a good job, volunteer work would be beneficial, but not essential to getting a job.

You said you have an F-4 visa, or at least will have one? No problem at all getting employed.