Korean Job Discussion Forums

[itiswhatitis]

I Came to Korea to teach in 2007. Was a 25 year old loser with a BA in politics from an average university with a low GPA.

Had no plan at the time and wanted something totally different/a new challenage. So I came to Korea to teach English.

Have been studying Korean and have my Korean level up to intermediate. I plan to take the TOPIK test and to have working knowledge of Korean within the next 1-2 years.

Then I will make the move to Shanghai to teach (adults) and learn Mandarin. After that I will take a master's in East Asia studies and maybe eventually a Ph.D. in east asia studies. I will upgrade my undergrad. marks by taking correspondance courses from Athabasca University (a Canadian online university).

By the time I get my masters I will be in my late 30's and my Ph.D. I will likely be in my early 40's. Although age is not a huge concern for me.

I figure that teaching experience, living in east asia, working in east asia, learning 2 east asian languages and having a masters/maybe a Ph.D. is a good plan.

People often ask me why I teach abroad for so long. What I wrote above is the awnser, although I usually don't feel like explaining it so I just say "I enjoy learning new languages". I still think of myself as being somewhat of a loser but I am optimistic about my future.

I am a buddhist and don't drink alcohol. I have a small social circle which is made up mostly of friends from languages classes and former co-workers. This helps me to be engaged in my studies and work.

Any insight/feedback???

Thanks!!!

[Lucas]

[augustine]

[salutbonjour]

You hope to get intermediate in Korean and Chinese, which is nowhere near high enough to be taken seriously to do any type of work in Korean or Chinese.

What kind of career will a PhD in East Asian Studies open you? It's a popular minor nowadays, but a PhD just sounds like wishing to be unemployable.

Your plan is just a bunch of things you'd like to do and stops short of giving any lead into any possible employment besides teaching English in university, which by the time you finish your Ph.D. will still pay the same 2.1-2.7M yet become much more competitive.

Heck, decide where you want to live to begin with. Two years in China will accomplish nothing for your employability in Korea.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

Unless you can own a business I don't think Asia is a good place to be a foreign employee. You'll be "the foreigner" basically in any country.

If you like teaching, maybe upgrade to work in the Gulf.

Although the money looks good when you're young, it doesn't by say 45. And if you are raising kids, you have to consider the cost of schooling.

[hiamnotcool]

[MiXX]

I am going to be blunt. That is a terrible plan dude.

Ill pm with a legit plan which will allow you to still do the things you enjoy.

[Paddycakes]

Go home, do an MBA, join a company that will allow you to transfer to Asia.

Your happiness as an expat is a function of your income and social status.

Sadly, this explains why a lot of long-term ESL Instructors are generally stressed and miserable.

[The King of Kwangju]

Personally I think it's awesome that people who consider themselves "losers" can totally remake themselves.

I highly doubt you are a loser anymore, buddy.

Anyway, I think that getting a PhD just because it sounds like a good idea, is a bad idea. You will probably drop out, or finish and not know what to do with yourself, and you will be 40+.

If you like languages, maybe you should concentrate on that.

And if you like teaching, maybe you should concentrate on that. Many people teach as a real career - it gives them time, money, and (sometimes) fulfillment. Sounds like a good deal to me, and you are most of the way there.

[KimchiNinja]

Meh, it sounds like a pretty good plan.

Asia is the future; being based over here, educated and speaking a few languages ain't bad. But you need to think of things as an entrepreneur, sniff out opportunities! There are many now and I imagine they will only increase.

I'm doing it the easy way, employed by US firm while I invest and develop connections on this side.

[KimchiNinja]

[wishfullthinkng]

it's sad that teaching is considered such a bad job in today's day and age. in what twisted world is giving knowledge and information to those who don't have it considered worse than being a desk jockey at a major corporation, doing nothing to better yourself or anyone else.

oh yeah, the world we live in.

[KimchiNinja]

[Allthechildrenareinsane]