Korean Job Discussion Forums

[melisseyo]

Hi folks,

I'm just looking for some advice from some of you who are currently working at Korean universities to determine if my work experience in the education sector in Canada would count for anything. First, I'm a 34 year old female and I worked at a Canadian public college full time for 5 years as the International Marketing Advisor and later was promoted to the Supervisor of International Student Recruitment. My job was focused on developing and implementing marketing strategies to attract overseas students to study at my school. I spent significant time in Asia establishing our presence, training representatives of our schools, solidifying our marketing strategy, training our staff, meeting with Canadian Embassy Trade Commissioners, etc. I also taught for a total of five months at the same school, prior to being hired in the above mentioned role. I have an undergraduate degree in Management and am pursuing my MA in Learning and Teaching (anticipated completion of final project is April 2017).

I decided that I needed a major lifestyle change, and so I moved to Korea in September 2013, first studying Korean for a little over a year, and then starting work at a hagwon in January of this year. I want to transition to university if possible, and would like to start looking for jobs starting in Spring 2016. I'm just wondering if universities/colleges would consider my previous work experience at a Canadian public post secondary institution as "university work experience"? I know it won't be university teaching experience, but is it worth anything? Thanks in advance. Sorry for the long explanation to get to my question.

[ttompatz]

If you are talking about finding a job as a uni lecturer then it is the classroom experience they want, not your time as an office worker.

With your degree completion date in 2017 (2 years away) you are far too early to be thinking about a uni job.

.

[melisseyo]

Yes, I was referring to a lecturer position. I'm not looking for a job now, but was thinking about the future and curious if my previous experience held any weight. Alternatively, I may focus on returning back to my old industry. Obviously, I made more than double the amount of money in Canada, but money isn't my main motivation in life, enjoying my life is my main goal, and I'm not crazy about the idea of returning to Canada. Thanks.

[PRagic]

Try to get in at least 2 years of cumulative and verifiable teaching experience at the university level on your way to degree completion. While it may sound sexist, you have a better than average shot at getting a university gig over here as a female with an MA and the requisite 2 years of university teaching experience.

Without that experience? Odds are against you as this is now policy at most universities. Catch 22, yeah, but that's the deal. Tutoring won't cut it, either. You'll need to have taught classes.

[melisseyo]

Thanks very much for the advice PRagic. Do you have any suggestions on how to get university level teaching experience without an MA already in hand? It really is a catch 22 in this country with the you need university teaching experience to get university teaching experience business.

[Guajiro]

[World Traveler]

[melisseyo]

Guajiro, thanks for the idea, but that is definitely not an option. I've seen a lot of people suggesting China as an option to get the 2 years of work experience, and I always cringe. I used to go to China frequently for my previous job. I've been to 30+ cities, in all corners of the country, and many of them I've visited repeatedly. China is, without a doubt, the one place on this planet I would never consider living. It is a horrible place. Haha. Sorry for the harsh reply, but I can't even stand the idea of being in that country.

I believe I am simply caught in a catch 22, like many others here in Korea.

[PRagic]

You're not caught in the catch 22...yet. First you'll need that MA in hand lol.

As long as you're doing and ESL related MA, you might be able to get some classes to teach at your university. Never know until you ask. Check out local 2 year schools, too.

Once you get your MA, you might just want to rethink that China option to get your 2 years of experience. Or Vietnam or Thailand...anywhere.

[Guajiro]

[Guajiro]