Korean Job Discussion Forums

itiswhatitis · Joined: 08 Aug 2011

I'm keeping my job with EPIK Seoul.

I am learning Korean and I like the Korean programs in Seoul.

I also like living in Seoul.

I keep my job because I work at a good elementary school. I enjoy teaching and of course the vacation and desk warming and not being trated like a slave/white money (how I was at the hagwon).

Some people tell me to try to get a univ gig. I don't wan't one cus it may not be worth it anyway. I'm making 2.5 right now and I get alright vacation. I only have a BA (unrelated) and a 100 hour TESOL.

Sometimes it feels weird to be doing the same job as a rookie. Although I get paid more than a rookie.

Should I be doing better than EPIK Seoul?

I have friends who have been here as long as me or longer who are with GEPIK and EPIK. I find that people who have been here a while usually ar with public schools, after schools programs and MAYBE at a university.

What's your 2 cents???

Thanks!!

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

The biggest issue for most people who want to make teaching a career would be the lack of autonomy in the class room. You're basically still an assistant to the Korean teacher and that'd make most peopler want to move onwards and upwards at some stage. However if you're happy with what you've got, follow your heart

salutbonjour · Joined: 22 Jan 2013

You enjoy your life and the salary difference is negligible. I don't see the problem. I'd worry more about long-term than short-term.

sluggo832004 · Joined: 04 Sep 2010

Youre only a loser because you care so much of what others think about you.

This isnt Highschool. Do whats best for you. Better you work for EPIk earning a paycheck then being at home without a job but "youre out of Korea".

Do whats best for you and dont ask questions like this. Smile

jonpurdy · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Location: Ulsan

I left after three years and earned my B. Ed. in Canada with the goal of teaching at international schools.

Some days I think back and remember how much I loved working at an EPIK public school. Really relaxed lifestyle, not nearly as much work as homeroom teacher, and decent pay.

Just make sure you have an exit plan in case you stop loving it or in case the funding for your position runs out. Consider upgrading your qualifications online during your deskwarming time. And save as much money as you can so that you have the freedom to say "no" to future positions that you don't like.

Gorf · Joined: 25 Jun 2011

I've been here less than 2 years and I work 16 hours a week teaching college students and make more than 3.0 million a month. If you've been here 5 years and you're still working with little kids for 40 hours a week, you should really look into moving up in the ESL game.

Or, actually, don't, because it means more cushy jobs for the rest of us.

Charlie Bourque · Joined: 27 Jun 2010

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

If you're happy there, good on ya.

But don't forget the rug can always be pulled out from under your feet.

New principal doesn't like you, new co-teacher doesn't like you or

whatever.

TIEPIE · Joined: 08 Apr 2013

No_hite_pls

No_hite_pls · Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:44 pm Post subject:

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

OP,

It matters what you think, not what others think.

1. Do you like your job, and the work you do?

2. Are you earning enough money? (Obviously more is better, but are you fulfilled with your current salary?)

3. Is there something else you'd rather be doing?

Depending on your answers to those 3 questions, you have the answer to your overall post. Comparing your job and conditions to others is a futile exercise (especially on a place like Dave's) as there will always be a guy who boasts how about how much he earns for how little he works (thanks Gorf, for being that guy).

As for me, I'm a similar boat to you, around the same age, and been working in Korea for just over 5 years, most of that time in the PS system.
To answer 'my questions',
1. I do enjoy the work, for the most part, and do enjoy having a positive impact on my students (I know there are those who say what we do amounts to nothing, while this may be the case for many students, I've personally seen the positive results of my efforts in many students.) I also enjoy the easy lifestyle, the nice vacations, and the free time.

2. This is a tougher question, as the sky is the limit on this one. Fortunately, I'm not saddled with any debt, and all the free time in Korea has allowed me to pursue my passion which is investing. 4 of the past 5 years in Korea I have made more money from my investing than I have from my job, so this definitely tips the equation, and allows me to feel content earning an ESL salary with not much upward mobility.

3. Again, there's always something else. I've always wanted to pursue a corporate career (Korea was supposed to be just a break of year or so). However, many of my friends have taken this path, and while they've been very successful, I don't think on a level of overall fulfillment I'm really missing out. While they earn more money and definitely have more bragging rights at reunions, most don't seem particularly happy, and they do work very hard. I have 16 hours for myself every single day and never need to bring work home, many of them would kill for the free time and stress-free environment I enjoy.

In a nutshell, what is right for you, may not be right for someone else, and if you're happy with your current standing, there's no need to change things up just to keep up with the Jones's.

mayorhaggar · Joined: 01 Jan 2013

If you still enjoy the work and enjoy being in Korea then I don't think you need to beat yourself up about what you're doing. Lots of people just can't hack Korea, often because they just don't like it or because they got a bad school/apartment situation. Either they leave after a year or they post on places like Dave's complaining about how miserable Korea is, lol.

I wouldn't worry about the short term but I would think about the next step in your career, one thing is that there's always the possibility that South Korea will just shut down programs like EPIK or start cutting a lot of positions. GEPIK cut a bunch of high school positions recently and people were complaining that they only got a few weeks notice that they were basically being laid off--that's not much time to find something else, and that's zero time to go get a master's and position yourself for something higher up.

comm · Joined: 22 Jun 2010

Take this simple quiz to find out if you are a loser!
Do you feel satisfied in your work?
Are you making enough money to provide for the lifestyle you want?
Are you saving enough money for children (if desired) and retirement?
Do you have the free time to pursue what you choose outside of work?
Are you providing a service of equal or greater value to your pay?

If you answered 'yes' to most or all of these questions, you are NOT a loser! Congratulations!