Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VorcePA]

Hey all. I lurk on these boards quite a bit, and try to post advice and whatnot about things that aren't about SK because, well, I'm not there yet. And having said that, it's driving me insane that I'm not there yet. I cannot believe how grumpy so many people seem to be on these boards about their life in Korea in general. I've learned quite a lot from this board and I hope I'm going to go in more prepared than your average foreigner, such as taking the time to find a good recruiter/hagwon before just leaping right in.

My biggest concern is that the job market being dried up before I even get there. I have around 3 years to go, depending on how dedicated I am, and I see people freaking out about pay going down and how its getting harder to move from one job to another. I feel like I'm only getting this degree so I can pack my bags and travel 6,000 miles -- which is true, to some extent. I can't really sign up for the TaLK program, either, as I'm studying mechanical engineering, which is almost exclusively the hard sciences. I don't think it would be a good idea to take 1-2 years off and lose a significant portion of the knowledge I need to continue.

But, yeah. Color me naive, but Korea feels like the place where all my hopes, dreams, and aspirations will come true. I feel like I'll fit right in, specifically because of how much I enjoy playing Starcraft (competitively). So what if I'm excluded from dinner parties because no one speaks English? I should be learning the language, anyway. So what if foreign food is more expensive? I need a better diet, anyway. So what if I have to get a CBC every 6 months or a year from the FBI? Just plan these things ahead of time. What the hell sucks so much about the place compared to any other EFL job in any other country? I am as doey-eyed as one could get.

[recessiontime]

How bad is the job market where you come from?

[shinramyun]

In over time, people get sick of the place and they just find things to b*tch and moan about.

Pretty much applies to any other places that are foreign.

[Globutron]

I met a man in Thailand who made me promise to travel the world while I'm young, starting with Tibet.
He explained that he spent his life travelling and now he's done with it. He's 40 and basically sick of all the 'new' cultures and differences. All the new experiences are not new to him anymore and he's just happy to stay in one place now.

I could never imagine me feeling that way but who knows. Relevant to topic? dunno.

[AsiaESLbound]

Smart man for majoring in mechanical engineering as there are jobs popping in that field. You might also consider studying Deutsch or German, because this degree can take you across the world working with German engineers. Do you realize many American, Canadian, and German engineers go work in Korea and other parts of the world to plan, design, and set up assembly line processes? I wish I had majored in engineering as it's a great career path if you are good with science and math. You can travel more in an engineering role with the short term assignments that come with the territory. How do I know about these things? These are the guys you easily meet having a cold one at 7pm any night of the week in many expat bars.

I think you are selling yourself short by wishing to teach English for $30,000 a year when you can double your starting pay by working in your career field that will also offer many more long term opportunities vs. teaching English. It's understandable you are exploring your options as you are only starting your sophomore year right now.

You asked what sucks so bad about Korea. They rarely talk to strangers and are very difficult to meet and get to know with pushing, cutting line, and aimlessly walking with tunnel vision being norm. They rarely act friendly like, "Hi, nice to see you again. How are you doing?" There are exceptions where college students are open minded and like to talk with foreigners, but if your town doesn't have a college or uni, you are missing the best part of socializing with Koreans as the older people are rarely friendly enough to say, "hi," and associate with you. Definitely go to a big city with schools to open yourself up to the pool of open minded Koreans not afraid to talk to you. In other Asian countries, people will just come up and talk to you in the streets, but Korea is very conservative in those regards.

[oldtactics]

You could get a job in any country in the world with a mech. eng. degree, and you're already counting down the days to come and teach english in Korea for 20k a year? Why can't you play Starcraft competitively in your home country?

Anyway, we're not ALL bitter and angry. I love Korea and I have since day one. Of course people have bad days, but I resent the accusation that all we do here on Dave's is complain. If you've learned so much from these boards, that's obviously evidence that there is helpful information here.

[northway]

[interestedinhanguk]

In general, Koreans are very social, within their own group. As another poster said, they probably won't come up to you to talk.

I don't see how playing Starcraft competitively means anything. yes, it's very popular here. It's about sitting alone on the computer. It's not active interaction (if that makes sense). I don't see it helping you that much.

Korean food is tasty, but gets pretty boring after a while; it lacks variety. Unless you grew up on a diet of grilled meat and french fries, you'll find it tiring, too and will want something foreign.

Furthermore, and most importantly, you're not Korean. Therefore, you will not fit in.

Don't get me wrong, I really like my life here. I have good friends and girlfriend, am healthier than before, have an easy and rewarding job (bureaucracy aside), have a comfortable lifestyle, don't worry about money and more.

But, it's time for a bit of a reality check.

[jvalmer]

It's funny how people who don't have engineering degrees think the degree is a guarantee to a good job and career. Maybe in the 90's, but those heydays are long gone. I'd say it died in October 2001, at least for the guys in EE. Don't get me wrong, the percentage is higher compared to other 'softer' degrees, but no longer is it guaranteed.

[tiger fancini]

In which countries do people come up and talk to foreign strangers? Ok I guess it happens in countries with a heavy Western tourist industry, but we all know Korea doesn't have that.

I don't understand why people complain about this and call Koreans unfriendly. Do you guys go up and talk to them?? Or do you go up to foreigners in your country and try to communicate with them in their language?

[Globutron]

[imoscardotcom]

...

[interestedinhanguk]

[Globutron]

I get spoken to all the time. Daily, almost without fail. Even if it's just a hi or how are you. Or just speaking at me in Korean assuming I understand.

[CtotheB]

Same here. First post on these boards, longtime lurker. Hope to go over this summer.