A career path is not set in stone. It is natural for people to wonder if they are working in the wrong profession, underutilizing their skills or not living up to their full potential. Millions of office cubicles all over the world are occupied by dreams of new career paths and opportunities.
According to a 2019 survey by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the average person switches jobs 12 times during their careers. Long gone are the days when people, such as my uncle, would spend their entire careers with a single employer (in my uncle’s case, British Rail). Nowadays, it is extremely important that people set long-term goals and work out the best paths to achieving them.
A special panel was recently convened at the 2019 Korea TESOL International Conference: ‘Career Directions for Teachers in Korea: Practical Goals and Paths’. Unlike other conference panels, which usually tackle best teaching practices, this panel offered practical career advice via a highly informative 80-minute discussion.
The panel consisted of three acclaimed university professors (H. Douglas, Kevin Kester, Joanne McCuaig) and one successful hagwon owner (Rhett Burton). No matter whether teachers in the audience were looking to become respected, published scholars or ‘edupreneurs’, everyone left ready to take their careers to new heights.
As was noted in the description for the panel discussion, practical career advice is best sought in-person, face-to-face with people who are on the ladder you dream of climbing. It “can be difficult when talking to peers or reading internet forums, and with only limited access to mentors already on such paths.”
For English teachers in Korea, Korea TESOL events are the best places to not only develop as teachers, but learn how to make the best career decisions. Don’t chase your dreams alone. Reach out to others for a helping hand and you’ll be sure to reach the stars that much faster.
Author
Wayne Finley is the Publicity Chair and KOTESOL Teacher Training Coordinator.
