Due to budget cuts in my city, my position teaching English at a middle school is being eliminated after my contract ends February 2014. I've been applying to universities, and I've been offered a job at a mid-to-low-level university in a non-major city in South Korea. I don't know if I should take it.
Universities are still posting job ads daily--the hiring season, which runs from early October to last-minute hiring in January or even February, is nowhere near done. I could potentially get other interviews later on. But I also might not!
I really liked the campus and its surrounding area. I really liked the teachers who interviewed me, and hearing about the collaboration and interest in professional development of most of the English faculty made me more interested in the position. I think it would be a great working environment.
HOWEVER (you knew it was coming), the pay is below average for this type of position and my experience. 15 hours teaching per week, 1 hour of office hours, 22,000w per hour for overtime, opportunity for additional classes during regular semesters and winter/summer camps high (but not necessarily forced on me). 2.25 million won per month. That's 50,000w per month less than I make now (not including the extra pay I get for after-school classes).
For a baseline, most universities start around at least 2.6 million won per month and 30,000w for overtime. This school being in a less-desirable area makes the low pay a little confusing.
What do I do? I don't want to be cocky and assume something better will come along and be disappointed when it doesn't. I also don't want to end up at a school that pays more but has a not-so-great working environment.
I really need some words of wisdom right now! I know I have a tendency to settle for less income than I have the potential to make, but I don't want to be a fool and throw away a potentially good opportunity.
And... erm... sorry for using Korean moneys. 2.25 million KRW is around $2120; 22,000w is $20ish.