After about 3 months of job interviews and applications, I can say that I have accepted a job offer from a university, and will be an English Professor next March 2016. This is a huge step in my career. I am also super happy to have a job, after all this time of interviews and shoddy contracts or offers (I have had 2 previous job offers, and 1 more potential job offer that just did not work out for various reasons).
First, I honestly did not think I would get a job offer from a university that is anywhere near Seoul or even in Gyeonggi Province. These positions are prime, and many well qualified individuals apply for them every year. University is the hardest market in ESL teaching to get into, and I did not think I would be able to do so, with my two and a half years of high school teaching. Yes, I teach 5 credit hours of college courses but my contract is through the high school, and many schools see this as not counting. You need 2 years teaching experience at a university level, with a MA to even be considered for most positions. I have that but some see the high school, as only counting as 1 year. Which has to do with visa rules for E-1 visa's, or Professor Visa. Some schools are a little more relaxed with this, while other more competitive schools are super strict and hard to get into. Either way, I honestly thought I would end up making low wages, in the country-side, or at another public school, instead of a position this close to Seoul. I had another offer in a different city and province, from a very well known school. I would have taken that position, but the one I ended up taking is so much better.
For one, the location is about 1 hour from the middle of Seoul, via subway. Secondly, the pay is amazing. I will be making a huge pay jump, for less work. Instead of 23 hours of teaching, I only have 18 hours, with everything after that being overtime (if I want it, it is optional). I will have to do English Cafe, which is where the students come and discuss issues, or whatever in 15 minute blocks with the professors, like office hours, but I get paid for this as well. The only downside to this is the housing. Unfortunately, I cannot take the housing that the school provides (a dorm style apartment, where I would live with another professor) because of Trixie. The housing does not allow for pets, and as you all know, I will not go anywhere without Trixie. So, in the next two months, I need to find housing, in a foreign country. It will be interesting and i will tell you all about it!
As for my career, being a professor is the best thing that could have happened for me. Teaching high school, in a public school, is the number one choice outside of university teaching. So, I had it really good my first two and a half years. It looks good on ESL resume's, but the cream of the crop. There is often less hours to teach, no mandatory hours to be there (except for when you are teaching of course), and more pay (often, not always with the country schools). Everyone with an MA in Korea (not everyone but most everyone) wants a university job because it is such a good job. Additionally, if I choose to leave Korea, anytime soon, I will have a much easier time finding a job in another country because of the university position. It will make my life easier in the long run.
Overall, the school seems like it will be a lovely place to work. I will be teaching Freshmen Conversational English, three days a week, with two days off or with overtime classes if I want. The department has 11 foreign faculty members, which is nice. I will not be going in alone and can ask for help. I met some of these people during the interview and they all seemed very friendly and open. The staff, I have heard, is very hands off but there if you need them. It feels like the right school and I am excited to start this next chapter in my life.
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