Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dharma bum]

For those of you with MAs, was it worth it? In terms of work overseas (in Korea and other countries as well), have you found that the job offers you receive are a great deal more lucrative and interesting than the standard offers? I've done some work on a distance MA, but now I'm considering doing a regular MA back home instead. A big reason that I want to do this is personal satisfaction, but I'm also hoping to give myself a better place in the Asian job market. Debt and time commitment, however, are forcing me to think very carefully about how my prospects with a regular MA would compare to my prospects with an extra year and a half of experience in Korea (and/or Japan) and a distance MA. What do you think? How has life with a regular or distance MA treated you?

[holeinthesky]

I set goals for myself at a young age to go right through to a PhD, but I guess part of that was intellectual snobbery more than anything and growing up has put this issue into perspective. I also realised, after finishing my MA, how hard postgrad study really is.

It took so much out of me. Not just 2 years of my life and a heap of money, but energy. I was drained at the end of my MA and actually regretted doing it in the first place. What would an MA in Religious Studies, Philosophy and Cultural Anthropology get me in the work place? Had I just wasted a chunk of my life? I came to Korea, tired of studying and hating my MA research area which I had been 'living' for 2 years. But now, well the tables have turned. I wouldn't still be in Korea if it wasn't for my MA as it was a prerequisite at my current job~ and my job is what is keeping me here. I've also been able to pay off over 40 thou. in student loans and related debt and travel in the meanwhile. This in turn has inspired me further and rekindled my interests in a doctorate in some obscure topic that may just land me another dream job~
So yes, its been a tough road to travel, but it's all been worth it in the end

[freethought]

The value of an MA can be zero or a lot depending on what it's in. As far as Korea goes, I'm just in the process of applying now, so I'm not sure what value it is, though I suspect it is soon to be some. You get paid more, since the few legit non-idiot offers I've received have all been 2.2 or a little higher. I haven't been in Korea for a year, but i doub the average monthly wage has increased by 200 thousand won over the last 14 months.


Jobs on the home front can be hit or miss, and not only the field, but the exact topic can make or break a chance at a job. I would certainly consider that while making your decision.

[hugo_danner]

I have an MS Ed in Online Teaching and Learning from Cal State Hayward I completed online about 4 years ago while here in Korea. It was more out of interest than wanting more money.

Not much call for it, but I can say I have an MS Ed. It has helped get me a bit more money, not much else.

[fruitcake]

got my MATESL before coming to Korea. Knew I wanted to travel and live well, so the extra thousands in loans were a necessary step back to take 2 steps forward. Been here 5 years, never have taught hagwon, and am set up in nice uni gig. Most unis here won't even look at your resume unless they see you have an MA. Did I mention all loans are officially gone? Nice!

[Juregen]

Education is always positive.

Not only does it increase the chances of living a long and healthy life, the quality of life increases, plus your children.


I would say, by all means, study, study as long as you like. Money can always be earned, but your learning capacity decreases fast once you reach a certain age. I speak of personal experiences.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

Having an MA permitted me to get my present job teaching in a uni, but I might have achieved the same with three years of solid ESL teaching. I also wouldn't be paying my increased wage, and then some, toward a mountain of debt.

If you enjoy the program, good. If you anticipate doing a PhD or some specified career program in your MA, great. If you simply want to come back to Korea for a better job, I wouldn't recommend doing graduate work for that reason. It will not pay off unless you intend on ESL as a long-term career.

Ken:>

[RobinH]

Right, go for it!

Caveat: if you see yourself teaching for a long time to come or the rest of your life, definitely do it. If you think you'll probably change careers in the future, think about getting a less narrow MA than an MATESOL or M.Ed.

I'm not at all sorry I did my MATESOL. I learned I was already doing a lot of things right, and I gained a lot of confidence. I get more money, work fewer hours and teach in more interesting situations than I did without the MA. Plus, when, if, I decide to go back to the States, it will be that much easier to find work.

But, if I ever decide to change fields, the MATESOL won't be much use.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Perhaps my MA was helpful in getting me more job offers when I was looking for work in Korea, perhaps not. At several interviews prospective employers seemed impressed that I had one, and one interviewer seemed very impressed by my academic awards and GPA. At my current job the vice-principal seemed to find it important to announce to the whole school what degrees I had and what universities I attended (of course the students were far more interested in how old I was and if I was married or had a girlfriend).

However, if I only had a BA and wished to make a career out of teaching in Asia I wouldn't bother getting an MA unless it was because I had a very keen interest in studying a particular field. A CELTA and TEFL are much easier to obtain if one wants to pad one's CV. I know of a number of people who've landed uni jobs in Korea with only a BA and teaching experience.

[dharma bum]

Great responses. I have to say that Moldy Rutabaga's post sums up my practical concerns fairly well. I don't think that a normal MA would have that much of an advantage over additional experience combined with a distance MA in terms of Korean employment opportunities. Perhaps this isn't the case for other Asian countries though?

I also have to say that I'm enjoying my time in Korea. My job is pretty good (though not fulfilling on a long-term basis) and I'm having a lot of fun socially. Basically, I think I'm at a good point in my life, and it's difficult to give that up for something that would be trying and costly. I also dislike the idea of doing nothing (okay, almost nothing) other than studying for a year and a half - I think I will find satisfaction in what I am studying, but I doubt I will find personal happiness in how I will be living.

Basically, this is why I'm wondering about how things might appear in retrospect. I want to make the best long-term decision for myself instead of simply looking at things from an immediate perspective. I don't want to look back and say to myself, "I wish I had done that. The debt/time back home/inactivity wouldn't have been that bad." holeinthesky's post was a bit inspiring from this standpoint, but I don't know if his/her experience is the exception or the rule. Anyways, keep the posts about your experiences coming. They're helping a lot.

[Nowhere Man]

I think it is also worth mentioning that, even with an MA, the TESOL market in America is glutted and competition for jobs that often don't include benefits.

There are a lot of MATESOLs driving between 2-3 part-time jobs.

Of course, if you're not that concerned about returning home, the opportunities abroad are far better.

[out of context]

Well, I didn't have any specific career in mind when I did my MA program (in linguistics). I little imagined I would end up in Korea; I just wanted to get out of the job I was in then, and going back to school seemed like as good a bet as any. Coming here, I spent about a year working in a job that I was overqualified for, and then got the first--actually, only--university job I applied for. It's worked out well for me since then, but then I think doing the MA was an excellent experience overall on a personal level, and it seems likely that when I go back to the US I'll go back to graduate school.

[Tiger Beer]

I'm about 99% finished with my MA. The final thesis sits at my thesis advisors office as we speak where he's pondering its fate.

The thing put me in debt.. and I learned quite a bit from my MA.. particularly that the field and MA I studied in particular, isn't exactly for me. But in some ways thats priceless as well.

It did get me my current uni job in Seoul.. that was invaluable! I'm still in debt from it and will be for awhile. The more life things I got out of it was invaluable - studied in Spain/Austria.. learned about NGO's and international development.. etc.

I don't see myself using it.. but there isn't a day yet where I've looked at my resume and wouldn't want to have that MA achievement sitting there up at the top of the Education section.

[Francis-Pax]