Korean Job Discussion Forums

Omkara · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: USA

This has everything to do with living in South Korea. A lot of us are living here as a part of a career plan. So please, make appropriate inferences before locking the thread again.

Some of us want to find like-minded people in order to gather information to make well-informed choices--beyond what to do when you wake up with an ajoshi who looked like an ajumma the night before.

Looking to chat a bit with people who have played the adjunct game--many of whom are living in Korea, some of whom are States' Side now reading and have some good insights. Or, at least I would hope. If not, just let the thread die.

To clarify my situation:

Before coming to Korea this time, I adjuncted as a composition instructor while working part-time in an ESL Matriculation Program a year ago (after my first round in Korea.) Student enrollment went down and they had to give my classes to tenured teachers. Now, I'm back in Korea, trying to figure out how to get back into the CC system in order to establish a career.

Anyone else in similar shoes?

Here's what I've got in the way of a key out of Korea and back to America:

I have a BA in philosphy, an MA in Literature and almost 4 years experience teaching ESL/EFL. I could: 1) get a teaching certification in order to get a secure position while I do part time work in a CC until I get hired full-time, 2) get a graduate certificate in TESOL in order to diversify my offering to a CC, or 3) do a second MA in philosophy in order to land a long-shot position in a CC teaching my passion. The 5th option is to grind through a PhD program and then enter into another brutal job market. . .

Now, I am looking to be practical and realistic. I don't want to get back to the States and have my hand forced again. If I travel internationally, I want it to be for other than economic necessity.

Any insights? Personal plans? I just need a new way to kick around my thinking.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Omkara · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: USA

First of all, I'd like to thank the Mod for not locking this thread this time. The way I had it worded last time gave some justification for the former lock. It is a matter of categorization.

But as for it being a job related post, I suppose so. But, those threads are more specifically about working in Korea for Koreans. This is a little more existential. Perhaps I'd have done better to have put it in the "off-topic" forum.

Nevertheless, it is here.

In short, people, I'm just looking for a bit of an exit strategy. I'm happy to be here for now, but I'd prefer to be working more directly in my field.
I want to get home someday and to work as an educator without the anxiety of not knowing if I'll have work the next semester.

The last time I went home, I was underprepared for how brutal the job market is in academia. I had a good savings when I left Korea, and that didn't get me to the promised land.

Who out there has delt with the issues of getting full-time work as an educator? Even in public schools?