Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mashimaro]

So you've spent years studying your b**t off and you speak korean really well (enough to successfully work in a korean office etc. using only korean) What next?

Is there a world of opportunities awaiting you or are you merely equipped to have rivetting conversations with the super ajoshhi?

Of course a lot depends on the character, drive and other skills of the individual.. However I think there must be a lucrative niche market for fluent korean speaking foreigners with good business sense.

What do you think?

I know a lot of people will say it's pointless and korea is an insignifcant country.. great, less competition for jobs for me in the future

[just because]

Yes and No

Yes: there are niche opportunities in the world for Korean and this will only improve in time. Plus I'm sure there is no way it could hinder advancement here.

No: The amount of opportunities are very small at present and in my experience they give interpretor jobs both here and abroad to Koreans who speak fluent english and not the other way around.

[ladyandthetramp]

I don't know what country you're from, but in the U.S. the intelligence agencies are in great need of people who can speak Korean.

[shakuhachi]

There arent really many opportunites. However when someone sees your resume and realises that you have been in Korea a couple of years but cant speak the language proficiently, he or she will think poorly of you.

[Derrek]

[komtengi]

[kangnamdragon]

Korean has helped me in the office. My boss does not speak English. Some companies like having a white man represent them to the international communtiy. It gives international investors a feeling of familiarity.

[osangrl]

the only place korean would be useful is here. Learn it while you are here, grab some korean friends, its fun to be able to speak konglish. But its not really a useful language anywhere else in the world.

[Ilsanman]

If US intelligence wants Korean speakers in case of conflict with North Korea, someone should inform them that North Koreans speak a strong dialect.

[katydid]

My friend had this fairly popular blog (still does actually) and he spent his time translating some articles from various newspapers and commented on them. Anyways, word got out about his blog and what he put on there, and his high level of speaking and understanding Korean. I'd say he is fluent in Korean, but he doesn't think so. (Think he is just being humble.)
Anyways, this year after 6 years of sloughing through hagwans and universities (and doing an awful lot of self-studying of course...that is the amazing thing to me, I don't think he ever took a formal class) he finally landed a job at the Chosun Ilbo where he has a translating job for the English version of the paper.
Or you could try to be the new host of one of those TOEIC shows.
I suppose the key to finding a job where you can use the Korean you have learned is to network like crazy once you are able to speak Korean fairly fluently. Put yourself out there, and try to combine the skills you already have.
I think what people will say in this thread also depends on whether you plan on staying here indefinitely or moving back to your home country and trying to find work there.

[seoulmon]

Korea speaking is a VERY VALUABLE SKILL...


...just after soju drinking and smoking cigarettes with the boss.

[Shincheon_Blues]

[rapier]

There are no opportunites for the hangukmal blabbering waygook. Why? because there are so many more koreans whov'e been to the U.S., and speak fluent English. They fill the positions. At least Koreans know that they will always be on their side.
There are no opportunities in Korea, other than being dong-chimmed daily in a hagwon.

[Zyzyfer]

[katydid]