Korean Job Discussion Forums

[owenthebulldog]

Hey.

I have a law degree and was just wondering if it affords any opportunities that I am currently unaware of. I read somewhere that it bumps me up in pay brackets for public school teaching, but that private schools really only care about an undergraduate degree.

My friend in Seoul insisted that I look into university positions, that the pay and hours are so much better that if i could get a uni gig i would be insane not to take it. I must say I prefer working with children, but am at least a bit curious as to what other opportunities I might be able to look at, and how to go about doing this.

Would I contact universities directly? I see some posts on dave's for uni gigs but they all seem to require masters in english, and relate to teaching english at the uni level, as opposed to US law, which i assume is all a law degree is good for?

[authoritar]

Hi,

in my experience your degree subject is more or less irrelevant, unless it is in English then you can sell your self more. Ask yourself, how would a US law degree be beneficial to teaching English in Korea.

With regards to the Uni jobs, you are right, most if not all demand an MA and an MA in English or Education is better. Also uni's prefer teachers who are already in Korea.

If you prefer teaching children the sign up for the publis school jobs with EPIK or GEPIk or try to get yourself a good private academy. Im sure people on here will help you wit suggestions.

Good luck, Korea is a great place if you have a little patience and empathy.


http://teachorient.blogspot.com/

[definitely maybe]

Finding a job at a university without any experience in country will be difficult, but after a year a JD should be plenty to get your foot in the door if you're so inclined. I know people working at universities all over Seoul, including all three SKY, with masters degrees ranging from theology to advertising. A JD is respectable and will be regarded as at least an equivalent. Job ads are asking for masters in English, TESL, Applied Linguistics, etc., but hiring committees are still looking for interesting and accomplished candidates from all kinds of academic backgrounds.

[cert43]

Your post doesn't make any sense..all it sounds like is "yik yak" "yik yak"

[Bruce W Sims]

[asutrack]

Have you practiced law or did you just graduate? Not sure why you would want to come to teach English here in either case. Anyway, if you have experience as a lawyer there are opportunities teaching law in a law school (this is my job). There aren't too many J.D.s here and the law schools and business schools ARE looking for them-especially ones with ACTUAL experience (we are looking for another JD to start this semester). The pay isn't great (better than average) but the hours and vacation are very nice. Also, your students will be motivated and engaged. I lecture on American/International Law and Business subjects and enjoy my classes tremendously.

I have to be honest with you, unless you are totally clueless, you will make more money staying in the U.S. and using that degree there. As bad as the economy is, there are tons of jobs for lawyers out there. The jobs may be in shitty locations etc. but I have to tell you, you will be better off going that route.

Now, if you are just interested in travelling and taking a year to go "exploring" fine, come on over. I came here 4 years ago with no intention of staying this long. I had practiced law for 5 years (didn't enjoy it too much) and then co-owned 2 businesses. I was tired and wanted to travel and see other parts of the world. Basically, I didn't want all the responsibility that I had taken on. I sold everything off and took a "vacation".

I ended up here in Korea not knowing what I was going to do next (I quickly realized that not working at all wasn't exactly fitting with my personality). A business friend of mine suggested picking up an easy job in Korea teaching English while I figured out what I wanted to do. Teaching English here can be soooo....frustrating yet it also can be quite rewarding. Much like practicing law, it all depends who you have to interract with!

I quit my job at YBM and opened a bar with a friend of mine-great times. While running the bar I stumbled into a university job which fit my wants and needs perfectly. I eventually sold my part of the bar and now work about 9 hours a week 30 weeks a year. If I didn't have the job I have now, I would have left here awhile ago.

So, why are you coming over? Most attorneys I know are pretty driven and I think you might find all the B.S./incompetence that you have to deal with here to be quite frustrating-believe me, I still can't believe the shit my school says/does. Unless you land a great job, you might find yourself dealing with low pay and a shitty job/life situation.

BTW: I have nothing against teaching English as a career. I just think that given your credentials (and not knowing more) that you might have far better financial or professionally satisfying options than English teacher in Korea. Many of the friends I have made here realize this and return back home to a good paying job. Returning home to the work force may not be perfect but is still more satisfying to them. It all comes down to what you are looking for at this stage in your life.

[northway]

[Modernist]

[cert43]

What was your law school emphasis? Stanford has a REALLY good policy program, but unfountnely if you are planning on try to take the Korean bar exam ( btw, it only has a 2% passing yearly passsing rate);then you will have to do it through the Judical Court in Illsan ( ie, superior court judge training AFTER your USA bars)..Iam guessing you won't get the benefit of any English language tests due to the fact thats it's all self-study and very very difficult.

The percentage of foreingers to Koreans working in these law firms is probably in the 1/100 ratio and NONE ever make make partner ( even the ones that went to Ivy League Schools and had tons of good solid experience in the thier own countries; it;s just too much of clientel liablity and really kind of hard understand consdiering most of them base thier clientel on this "International adovacy" that stressed so much in these top-tierlaw school study.

Also, guess it mainly has to due with the fact that a forienger can't legally represent someone without a supervised Korean attorney being present.
They just don't have time to do that.

[asutrack]

I guess I really meant (if OP is a fresh grad) why in the world would you not even give your profession a chance after dropping over a $150,000 just on LS alone!?!?

I mean for what? 34K USD (total package for hogwan/PS job) to teach English? I mean as the majority of posters generally agree you aren't really even teaching.

Rarely do I ever post about this stuff. Furthermore, I don't want to put down those who come here (for whatever reason) but the people I know who have real qualifications AND are not married to Korean really do become quite dissatisfied with the quality of work/purpose they are serving here.

My wife who was an ESL teacher back home for 14 years and now teaches at a uni here is blown away at how unchallenging and unprofessional the profession of teaching ESL is here in Korea. Needless to say, more than likely out time here will be ending soon.

I am not about to slam Korea but OP don't just give up on your profession before you even get started. Of course, if you have a passion to teach ESL do it. I suspect you are just frustrated with the job search though.

[Ramen]

shudda gone to med school, eh?

[Hotpants]

I also wonder about your reason to get a law degree in the first place if you 'just' want to come over to Korea and teach kids.

My original background was also in another professional field, and I can assure you that after teaching English overseas, it's very hard to get taken seriously again if you want to return home to a 'proper' job. Most employers back home regard teaching English overseas little more than an extended vacation, and it certainly won't help to have a funny-sounding Konglish kid's hagwon name on your resume.

If you really are set on Korea, but are still keen on law, I advise finding another law-related avenue here. One suggestion so far not mentioned is for editing in a law firm. There used to be intermittent job ads on here for such work - I remember there was a firm for Lee Mock & Partners who were often advertising for a North American to work in their patents department reviewing documents - I've not seen that ad for at least a couple of years now, but it's just one example of the type of things out here. Such a position will be much more professionally regarded than being a teacher, even at a uni. Start scouring other Korean job boards other than Dave's.

As for getting into a uni with no teaching and no Korea experience, that will be a very, very long shot unless you have an inside contact who can get you in.

[sirius black]

OP, it doesn't matter what your area is or why you got it or why you want to come to Korea. It doesn't matter. Your question is all that matters and that question is what should be answered. Forget the chatter that doesn't matter.

To teach, any degree will do. However, as someone suggested. I think after you get settled here you could find some lucrative work outside the teaching field. If you're able to pass the U.S. bar, maybe you could even get a korean law license. I have no idea how easy it is to do it or the procedure but its worth investigating I would think. Many companies do business in the US and your skills could be of use there, possibly even working in a government related matter either Korean or US embassy?

I think you have a very unique and special degree that could possibly get you paid. Its worth investigating.

Do some research into the matter.

[owenthebulldog]

Wow, thanks for all the responses. Very informative stuff.

Sorry I wasnt more clear in my initial post. I'm coming to south korea for a few reasons, and I am certainly open to the possibility of hanging out for a while. I'm going to be writing a book while I'm over there, and I absolutely love working with children.

I graduated about 5 years ago with a concentration in intellectual property law from a top tier school. I've passed the patent bar, have some big league professional experience, and am well aware, that financially, moving to korea and teaching in a hagwon isn't prudent for a certain someone chiefly concerned with a certain something.

I decided to bail on the legal career recently. What can I say, I got bored. Working in a korean law firm is of no interest. Money doesnt drive me, but I certainly dont mind gettin paid. I have a knack for teaching, and a university position is something I am slightly interested in, even if it means teaching US law.

Mainly, Im coming to korea for the culture and the experience, kinda like an adventure. I love the US, but the world is big, and little me wants to get around and do some things not just for money. Teaching is something I enjoy and am connected with(i am certified to teach high school over here), and I plan on making the most of it, whatever it happens to be. I think, in terms of what I want, that doing one year ESL is the move to make, and then if I feel so moved, to see what's out there during and/or after that one year period in the university setting.

In terms of long term career goals, its all about "the book"!! Which has nothing to do with law, or teaching english, haha.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Peace guys,

sincerely,
owenthebulldog

[asutrack]

Hey OP.....if getting away from law and taking time for your book is what you are looking for (money not being an issue) I would recommend heading a bit farther south. I am happy things worked out for me but really, if I were going to do it all over again, I would have gone straight to Thailand or Philippines instead. Just my 2 cents. Good luck in your endeavors!