Job Discussion Forums

[coolhand]

I was just looking for some advice with my situation. I was born in the Philippines but raised in the USA with an American passport/citizenship. I'm in my early 20s and I have a B.S. degree. I am currently on a Work and Holiday visa in Australia and I have recently taken interest in teaching English for a year or so starting in August/September. I was interested in Vietnam or Thailand.

My concerns are that I don't look like your "typical" American (although I do talk like a white guy), I don't have any experience teaching English, and that I'll be obtaining my visa documents from overseas.

I would like to learn a new culture and experience new things but I'm just afraid of not being able to find decent employment. Saving money would be nice too, but I know that I might experience racial discrimination so I guess I can't set my hopes too high.

My plan was to take a CELTA somewhere and apply to several schools and hope to find work. Do you guys think I have a decent chance? Should I go about it another way?

[Glenski]

Not all Americans are caucasian males. Eliminate that strange self-perception right away and try to remember that (as your own situation attests), Americans come from a melting pot of nationalities and ethnic heritages.

Do not say you are Filipino when you apply. State the Philippines as country of birth if asked, but stated firmly and proudly that your nationality is American. Nothing more. If the employer can't figure it out, that's his problem, but don't confuse the issue by saying you are Filipino (or worse, that you are "Filipino-American").