Job Discussion Forums

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

I am now in Tanzania. I am really enjoying this trip. I have a good government job in the United States, but am thinking about giving it up to go abroad again, any suggestions? Is a stable living and pension worth spending the next 25 years working a job I don't really enjoy!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

The Peace Corps is a far cry from that Defense Language Institute job you were recently pursuing.

Rather than asking others for suggestions on countries or opportunities, perhaps your best strategy is to first figure out what's most important to you: a personally rewarding opportunity or one that's rigid but pays a lot. In other words, which type of teaching situation appeals to you the most and why. Or maybe you're mostly interested in just traveling as a tourist rather than giving up your good government job altogether.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

The Defense Language Institute job would be an excellent solution. However, it may be difficult to get hired. I have applied for the job.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Of course, I could just travel and work for the United States government. However, I don't particularly like my job. It is too rigid. I have three options: Peace Corps, Defense Language Institute, and Foreign Service. I have applied to the Foreign Service and DLI. There is no guarantee that either organization offers me a job.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

MotherF · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 4:12 pm Post subject:

You could be walking down the street, minding your own business, and a blood vessel could burst in your brain. Or you could befall countless other unexpected accidents. Life is too short to not be doing what you want.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

MotherF, I agree. Maybe I should apply to the Peace Corps. I would also know about the Foreign Service and Defense Language Institute by then anyways.

Yanklonigan · Joined: 23 Jan 2017 Posts: 36

I wouldn't do it. If you give up your decent job with a good pension you're 99% for certain going to regret down the road. English teaching turns out to be a good career choice for a few people but it is a fly-by-night job for the vast majority of people. Traveling is great but overrated; you'll get your fill of it quickly. Traveling can also be addictive where no matter how much you see, it'll never be enough. It would be really silly to give up a decent job in your native land for the life of a the cowboy. By reading the posts here, you can clearly see how many people are miserable in this line of work.

Yanklonigan · Joined: 23 Jan 2017 Posts: 36

Your government job is one that most people who die for. Stick with it and find satisfaction by getting promoted within that system. Work your way up the ladder. Like you mentioned before: travel during your vacation. Traveling is better in small doses. You don't have to deal with homesickness or disadvantages of living in a foreign land. Perhaps there are opportunities to travel within your branch of the government. You maybe young now but old age comes rapidly and then you'll be happy that you stuck with your job and it's pension. The disadvantages of being and English Teachers overseas far outweigh the advantages. The people who are happy to have spent their lives in ESl/EFL is probably 5% if that!

Good luck with whatever you decide. Life is full of risks. I don't want to give you a bum steer.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Yanklonigan, you make some good points. I have been to 45 countries and have not gotten my fill of it. First, will there even be a government pension in 30 years? Ask people who gave up 30 years of their lives for a pension and the company went broke. I would say that a pension is never guaranteed.

It also comes down to whether, it is worth exchanging 30 years of your life for a pension?

sammysez · Joined: 20 Nov 2016 Posts: 119

I do NOT have the travel bug, yet I have to keep going overseas to find gainful employment.

Obviously, you should travel??

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

I appreciate everyone's advice. I really dislike my current job. I was an EFL teacher for six years. I am not considering going back to teaching EFL unless I get the position with DLI. My best bet may be to find a government job abroad. However, I may quit my job whether I move abroad or not.

Yanklonigan · Joined: 23 Jan 2017 Posts: 36

I wish you the best of luck in the world for whatever road you follow.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"Normies" just go on vacation. It is a big step to take the vows necessary to enter into TEFLing !

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

You are already limiting yourself before you have even left the country. To move on from your cozy gig in the US means going for freedom, enjoyment and something of the unexpected. However, you will apparently only go for a Peace Corps, Foreign Service or Defense Language Institute job... so you are playing it safe. If you kept your options open I would have more faith in a successful change..