Korean Job Discussion Forums

kchax · Joined: 01 Dec 2006

a friend of mine got offered 2.5 million won and she has no experience in teaching and has a BS.

is this too good to be true?

they already want her documents in for visa processing.

what do you think?

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

if they're offering 2.5 for no experience, there might be a reason. They could need someone really fast b/c the last teacher pulled a runner, they can't get anyone experienced because of their reputation, or many other reasons.

Or, your friend could just have a great resume and a great attitude and they like him/her. It's possible.

Just make sure he/she checks out the school and talks to the current/past teachers.

KPRROK

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

...or your friend is really good looking and really hawt...

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

Is this at a university or a hagwon? Also, tell her to be careful. Sometimes, if they pay more, they expect a lot more. So, check the contract carefully before she signs.

jmbran11 · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: U.S.

I started out above that for my first year here, so it's not impossible. Particularly, your friend needs to be clear that the money doesn't include a housing allowance, which means no apartment. 2.5 would be about standard for a position that didn't include housing. Also, you should verify the hours expected. Some schools have contracts that give one amount (like 2.2) for the normal hours or extra (like 2.5) for 10 more hours a week or Saturdays included.

This offer isn't so great that it's impossible, but your friend should read the fine print and make sure it's all kosher. If the school is particularly rural, this may be reasonable because they have a harder time getting/keeping teachers.

PaperTiger · Joined: 31 May 2005 Location: Ulaanbataar

Is it a public school? Is there an non-disclosure clause regarding her payment amount and source in the contract? Stiff penalties regarding disclosure of payment amounts?

gsxr750r · Joined: 29 Jan 2007

Yah, I'd be suspicious about if the housing is included in that pay amount or not.

I made 2.2 my first year here. This will be the first year since that I've made a base of 2.2. It's been less ever since. I learned to take my jobs based on hours worked instead of total pay. It's better to work 20 hours for 2.0 instead of 35 hours for 2.2.

Missile Command Kid · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu

It's my first year in Korea and I've got 2.5 at a hagwon. Housing is free. It's unusual, but not unheard of.

robot · Joined: 07 Mar 2006

gsxr750r · Joined: 29 Jan 2007

Never understood why people come here to teach English after getting a law degree. Just for a year off?

jodemas2 · Joined: 06 Dec 2006

jmbran11 · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: U.S.

penfold · Joined: 31 Mar 2006

I'll also make a comment in regards to the law degree issue (as i also have one).

The main reasons for me to work over here are:

1) so I could experience a different culture and,

2) more importently, because as anyone who works in a profession will tell you, once you start climbing the 'ladder' it is very hard for you to return to where you were (i.e. salary) when you return from say a 4 year trip overseas.

I thought this would be the best time to do something crazy and go travel around the world for a few years. For the simple reason that, when i left, I was at the bottom of the ladder (i had 1 years experience) and couldn't go any lower.

You simply couldn't do what i am doing after, say, 5 years when you are an associate without taking a hit in your job prospects. The reason for Korea and teaching english is that it simply is a means to pay for this crazyness.

I'm also a bit perplexed in regards your quote about 'why someone with a law degree....'

This would seem to me to mean that the only reason others are here (i.e. non professionals) are that they couldn't get a job in their home country and therefore had to come to Korea to make a living.

While I could understand this argunment to a point, after all I know a lot of my friends with Arts and basic science degrees are out of work, there surely must be other reasons for coming.

gsxr750r · Joined: 29 Jan 2007

But is it that easy to land a good law-oriented job back home? My brother got his law degree last year, and he told me that the better firms wanted fresh graduates first, although there were exceptions, of course (and they worked them to death, too). He graduated in the top 5 or so of his class, and decided to take a 1 year gig clerking for the state Supreme Court. After that year was done, he was getting nervous because the recent grads were getting consideration over him.

Not knocking you guys on your decision. Heck, I left a good job to come here too, and people find my reasoning equally confusing. I left because I got tired of waking up every day hating what I was doing, for the most part. Money was good, but quality of life wasn't.

Bondrock · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: ^_^

there seems to be a belief that floats around claiming that being an english teacher in korea is a job for loosers (sic).

as i stated on this board a few times, i have two friends here who are former lawyers... they both love their jobs and their lives... myself, i had a succesful career before i came to asia too.

the reasons folks come here are varied and complex. are there losers here... of course there are, those of us who have been here for years have met many... but there are also many serious expat english teachers in this country who go to work faithfully, are decent people, and chooose, yes choose to live here...

this bashing and questioning of lawyers and other professionals who change careers is not fruitful and contributes nothing to a quality life...

its not what you do, its who you are... that's the measure of life!