Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ya-ta Boy]

I've been looking at my options and thought I'd post this. Maybe someone can see something I can't see.

Background:
a) I'm 56, so low man on the totem pole when it comes to finding a job in Korea. Yes, jobs are out there, but first pick goes to the young.

b) My contract expires July 31. The school has asked that I extend one month in order to teach summer classes (the morning classes are with the school rejects). I've more or less resigned myself to extending for one month but we haven't submitted the papers to Immi yet.

c) I have my own apartment/furnishings/car. Probably, I can stay on at the apartment on a month to month basis. Lease is up at the end of August.

My question is: Would you?

Would you stay on and start eating into savings and take the chance a decent job will show up?

Or...
Would you decide it's time to go? Sell off the refrigerator, stove etc and go home.

[tzechuk]

Doesn't your school want you to stay on for another year?

[Ya-ta Boy]

By mutual agreement, we decided to part ways. They think I'm too old and want a younger teacher. I think it's a crappy teaching situation (the loser summer class is just one example) and I've been unhappy here all year. I did ask for a one-semester contract, but they found someone to start next month. I was relieved, because I really didn't like it here and wanted out.

[cornie_man]

Ya-ta, why go home? What exactly is there waiting for you? I know certain employers in Korea are a tad inflexible but hey, they aren't all like that. There are plenty more opportunites out there. My advice, keep you eyes peeled and roll onto the next place that's hiring directly.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

That's a real tough one. I don't think you're as low on the hiring totem pole as you think - only with hogwans, which I know you don't like anyways. Have you met the guy from Louisiana who lives in our area? Sorry, but I can't remember his name. He might have some advice on getting a company job - he has one in this area. Since the new teacher (if they can find one) won't be moving into your place I'd stay there and use it as a base for finding another job in Korea. You could take the free flight home, come back after a short visit, and then pick up from there. If you can't find something suitable after a while and are running out of savings you can always go home again and teach in America. I hear East St Louis is hiring.

[laogaiguk]

Being another public school teacher with too much to do, I must say your story can easily be seen if you look at all your posts over the past months. You started off so happy and energetic, going on about who knows what every day. That started to die down and you started posting less. Then we started hearing about your school and the stuff they were pulling. Now the age thing. It sucks. I hope you find another public school job which treats you well and you start posting weird stuff again. Kept me from being bored

[Ya-ta Boy]

[laogaiguk]

[rothkowitz]

Have you looked into company jobs?eg Samsung

[cornie_man]

Or starting your own business, like a 다방 or other such reputable establishment. They really do a booming business in my little country town. Hey, you have a small car, right?

[Hater Depot]

If you do leave, it'll be both our and Korea's loss.

[Zark]

[merlot]

[RobinH]

We're now in the thick of uni hiring season, try for one of those. Unis tend to be much more accepting of the over 30 crowd. Yes, I'm speaking from experience!

[Ya-ta Boy]

Hey, guys,

Thanks for the encouraging posts and PMs.

I have until the 28th to decide. That's the date I have to notify the landlord I'll be leaving if that's what I'm going to do, or arrange (if I can) to stay on as a 백수 and make the tourist visa run.

I did it once before here...5 long dreary months, followed by 4 years at a terrific job. In my down moments, I'm not sure if I'm up to it again. I guess I was having one of those today. Maybe it's just the rain getting to me. (It started again this afternoon.)

Anyway: Thanks.

Ya-ta