See below for the description on the role of a Communications Officer.

COMMITTEE COORDINATORS

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What is the Communications Committee?
The ATEK Communications Committee is the public relations branch of the organization: providing a coherent, consistent image helps the organization to stick in the memories of teachers, media, and anyone with a stake in Korea’s English education system.

What do Communications Officers do?
Communications Officers check communications from officers to members in their own PMA, to make sure they are of professional quality, and stay consistent with the organization’s overall message, goals, and principles.  They also reach out to organizations in their PMA to convey ATEK’s message and find ways to build beneficial relationships.  Officers may communicate with the local press on local issues or consult for media inquiries about national issues.  We work together to keep track of what the media says about English teachers, and we respond where necessary.  The Press Committee is also working together with officers in other committees as well as other education-minded people in and outside of Korea, to develop materials that will help English teachers  improve their craft and make the most of their time in Korea.  One example of this is in the second edition of the English Teacher’s Guide to Korea (atek.or.kr/guidebook), which is in progress right now.

One Communications Officer, elected by the Committee Officers, will serve on the National Council as the Press Committee Chair.  This is a separate position from the National Communications Officer on the National Executive, but they work together closely.

Do you have what it takes? 
If you love writing or want to improve your craft as a writer, if you are well-presented and good at communicating key messages in simple terms, the ATEK Communications Committee would love to have you on board.  If you have training or experience in journalism, public relations, or promotions, or if you are looking for experience in those areas, ATEK Communications can be a great place to sharpen your skills before looking for work in those areas.

The ideal candidate...
-has journalism training, background, or interest
-has high level writing and communication skills
-is capable of, and enjoys networking and reaching out to other organizations and media
-is a careful reader, able to check documents, and spot writing errors as well as messages inconsistent with ATEK’s mission
-is computer literate and familiar with different forms of new and traditional media (networking sites, blogs, newspapers, twitter, magazines)

...but training is provided to shore up any weak spots on that list.

But what’s in it for me?
All the people working in Korea’s media, in addition to those dealing with education issues, have a reason to know your name: those connections can become very useful in the future.  You also get your name attached permanently to ATEK’s English Teacher’s Guide To Korea (atek.or.kr/guidebook), both the online edition and any print edition that comes out.  The National Communications Officer position and the Communications Committee Chair position are great opportunities to develop your network. And, as the organization grows, being the National Officer or Chair for an organization of +1000 members looks really good on job applications for networking, promotional, and journalistic jobs.

What is the National Communications Officer?

-serves on the National Executive (atek.or.kr/ne)

-oversees approval or creation content for the website, the guide book, and other media materials

-creates or approves national press releases, and approves press releases from local communications officers

-responds to national and local media inquiries

-monitors Korean media, English and Korean, traditional (newspaper/magazine) and new (blogs/discussion boards) for mentions of teaching in Korea, ATEK, and changes in immigration or labor law, and responds when necessary

-coordinates creation of the ATEK Guidebook for English teachers

-represents the president and the association for interviews in other media (radio, TV, podcast, etc.)

-acts as advisor to the President and is a Member of the Executive Council

-journalism, mass communications degree and/or equivalent, relevant experience required

*The Chair of the Communications Committee also serves on the National Council. In order to serve as the committee chair, you must be elected by the other officers on your commitee. Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to initiate the elections process.