Leaving EPIK for University at mid contract....advice

[ano33]

Has anyone left EPIK at the 6 month mark, or before the contract was fnished to take a position at a university?  I am planning on traveling for 5 months when my current contract is up next March.  While traveling I will also be applying for Uni jobs and am hoping to find some that will be cool with conducting the interview through skype.  However, I have also considered doing another year of EPIK after my travels and start applying for Uni jobs during the first half of that contract with the hope of starting the Uni position at or a little after the 6 month mark of my EPIK contract to avoid having to pay the flight money back.  Has anyone left an EPIK contract early for a Uni job?  Or do you think Universities would frown upon someone leaving a government position mid contract?  If you are curious I have 3 years of Elementary teaching experience in Korea and no Masters degree.  All HELPFUL responses are appreciated.  Thanks.

[naturegirl321]

I applied through Skype, keep in mind that you'll be in group B, so passed up for jobs.  Group A is those in Korea. 

I'm sure peopel have left EPIK at the 6 month mark, you better have a good reason, as employers will question it.  I'd stick it out.  I left a PS job after less time than that, but had a mutual understanding and extenuating circumstances. I signed for a year, but then we agreed on less time BEFORE I started the contract.  My E2 was still for a year.  I then left Korea and didn't come back for 2 more years.  I also took that job off my CV since the person who had placed me in the PS and knew about my circumstances had passed away due to cancer.

I GOT a uni job while being abroad, it's rare.  Do you have an MA or uni experience?  That'll help. I had 7.5 years experience , 4 of which were at two top unis, and an MA, plus publications and presentations.  My CV is good, I know it sounds obxious, but I put a lot of effort into building it up with conferences and such as well as a lot of time pouring over it and writing it.

With no uni experience and no MA, you'll probaly be stuck at a unigwon or a college, which might be better as there's less stress. 

Honestly, if you could help it, DO NOT leave a job before the contract is up.  Espeically if you're staying in the same country.

I don't understand why you want to leave after 6 motnhs, is it due to the hiring season?  becasue they hire twice a year.  Often less competition during the mid year hire.

[ano33]

Thanks for the feedback.  The reason I am considering working for EPIK for that 6 month period is so I am accumulating income as opposed to coming back to Korea as a tourist and hoping I land something quick before I use up more of my savings.  I realize not being in the country will put me at a disadvantage but I don't expect nor do I want to work at Seoul National University or a similar institute teaching advanced English.  I understand I don't have the qualifications for a job like that.  So, I'm hoping there are smaller colleges that will be open to doing skype interviews with someone who has taught in Korea already for 3 years.  Thanks again for the advice.  Cheers.

[justanotherwaygook]

Why would you sign a contract for a year when you intend to leave after 6 months?  It reflects upon all of us.

[Mark van]

I know of a girl who worked for a PS but was then asked to work at a UNI (she taught an afterschool program there). The UNI said they would get her a Visa but after she left the PS and got to immigration they said... err no.. your not eligible for a different Visa and in order to get your Visa transfers to another employer (on E2) you need a Release Letter. So she lost both her jobs and is not allowed to reapply to Epik for a certain time.

So to answer your question I don't think it is possible unless you find a way around getting a new work Visa for the Uni. Goodluck!

[matthews_world]

Stick it out reallizing that you usually get 3 month summer & winter vacations in unis to go where ever you want.

Also, you might need the EPIK recommendation later down the road so don't waste your current job.  Save all the money you can and reap your end of year benefits - return airfare, bonus.

[Waygooker]

I have heard six-month EPIC contracts as a renewee are not 100% impossible. It depends on your circumstances. Not very likely, but not impossible.

[bigal]

Also have been looking at the renewal contract, and mine now states that if you break the contract within 1 year you have to return the 700,000w as opposed to the previous contract of if before 6 months.

[kerrym]

The problem you will have is getting a letter of release from your office of education. Without it, you will have to do a visa run to get a new visa. Most offices of education will not give you a letter of release after six months, even if you give 30 days notice. (This is based on my experience last year.)

[ano33]

Why would you sign a contract for a year when you intend to leave after 6 months?  It reflects upon all of us.

Thanks for the guilt trip cookie monster, but I made it abundantly clear why I would leave after 6 months.  And to be frank, I don't base my life/proffesional decisions on how they will affect the other NET's in this country.  However, I will take into consideration how the school I am placed in would be affected by my departure and how leaving the contract early might have a negative impact on my future as an educator in Korea.  It is with these two factors in mind that I have decided to not go the 6 months EPIK route and instead will apply directly to Uni's.  Thanks to everyone who made a positive contribution to my decision making process.  It is much appreciated.

[tuckerg76]

Just make sure you give plenty of notice.  I'm leaving my job as well.  The only real requirement is that we provide 30 days written notice.  And yeah, don't mind the guilt trips - you need to do what's in your best interest.  More often than not these jobs have high turnover, there's no career for any of us in EPIK.  In my case I provided 60 days notice with a written letter thanking the the staff for their professionalism and kindness.  As for future jobs I wouldn't mention it unless the employer asked you directly.  As long as you behave professionally and with a degree of kindness and courtesy in the workplace you'll be golden.

[Islander]

The problem you will have is getting a letter of release from your office of education. Without it, you will have to do a visa run to get a new visa. Most offices of education will not give you a letter of release after six months, even if you give 30 days notice. (This is based on my experience last year.)

This is correct. You're unlikely to get a letter of release from the MOE and therefore will lose both jobs. The same situation happened to a friend of mine last year.

[ren546]

I don't know any specifics about EPIK, but I do know a few people who have left jobs mid-contract for new jobs in Korea. If it's a better job, your school *may* understand, provided you give them notice. You could just say that you found out about the opportunity through a friend last minute, and you couldn't pass it up.

I am one such case from a few years ago (although I left to work in a different country). I told my employers at the 8 month mark, 2 months in advance of my departure, and they were very understanding (perhaps because they didn't have to pay my severance).

People leave jobs and break contracts all the time. It's how you leave that makes the difference.

[Reader]

Nature Girl's advice is spot on.  It would be far better for you if you finished your contract.  If you leave EPIK before finishing your contract, you will not be rehired for EPIK.  I'm pretty sure about that.  I left EPIK fifteen months ago. and that is what I was told.  I also doubt that EPIK--not your school-- would give you a LOR.   Choose wisely.

[naturegirl321]

Just a bit more.  I was working in Gangnam at their special PSs.  And I left the country and waited for my visa to expire.  I took my ARC with me, thinking I could sort stuff out and come back.  I didn't.  I was worried about getitng my ARC even though it had been two years.  I had no problems, but again, I took it off my CV and kind of regret having to leave so soon even though they knew about it.  I just doesn't look good.  Then again you'll have 6 months.  But as people said, you might want to have a backup plan just in case they don't let you swtitch the visa.

[MoneyMike]

Make sure you do your research about the visa requirements to teach at a uni. One of my close friends did what you're talking about, left EPIK at the 6 month mark to take a university gig. She totally loved it at first, but after about 4 months her supervisor came to her and said she didn't qualify for the type of visa she needed to teach university. (I can't remember what the reason was exactly, this was like a year ago) They kept her on for another 2 months, during which she managed to find a hagwon job, but but it was dicey for a little while. Also, she's thought about trying to get back with EPIK, but doubts it's possible because of her leaving the contract early.

So yeah, moral of the story is make absolutely sure you qualify for the type of visa you need, and if you need any documents make sure you have them ready. I think in some cases you would be informed about this before hiring, but you know how things go here, sometimes with all the bali bali some things get missed.

And good luck on the uni hunt!

[naturegirl321]

Many unis have teachers on E2s.  I don't know why your friend couldn't just keep an E2.  For an E1, all you need is to have an MA and 2 years experience.

[Mark van]

I presume that she didn't qualify for a visa other than an E2. Also, that she couldn't get an E2 because you need a Letter of Release (which your public school won't give if you leave mid-contract) if your going to transfer your Visa to University.

[nuorange]

If you've got a good reputation with your POE, you could go into the contract with the understanding that you will break your contract part way through and will be given a letter of release.  Make sure you hang on to your settlement allowance, etc. as you'll be required to pay it back if you break your contract before the six month mark.

Otherwise, as has been mentioned, they do have dibs on your visa rights for the duration of your contract, i.e. if you don't work for them and you're not released, you don't work for anyone (legally).