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the peanut gallery
Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 6:33 pm Post subject: New path? |
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Quite a few recent posts have looked into the specifics of employment choices in Mexico. I have noted that the replies tend to compare teaching privates vs colegios vs unis etc etc.
For those of us on this forum who are long term residents of Mexico i think the top end job market outside English language instruction could be much more accessible than those 3 plum jobs at the ITESM. I understand that this is Dave�s ESL Cafe but has anyone considered and/or attempted to make the jump to non-TEFL employment? I assume that most of us have a fairly high level of Spanish no? Our authentic two language ability puts us at a distinct advantage over most other job candidates.
For example
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
+Business background (sales, marketing)
+University degree
+Fluent English
+Available to travel
Offer $ 18000 plus benefits
Using our English to distinguish ourselves from Mexican applicants rather than teaching English to help a student distinguish himself or herself from other applicants? Would this be attractive to some folk on here? Just thinking out loud........ |
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Phil_K
Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: New path? |
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the peanut gallery wrote: |
Quite a few recent posts have looked into the specifics of employment choices in Mexico. I have noted that the replies tend to compare teaching privates vs colegios vs unis etc etc.
For those of us on this forum who are long term residents of Mexico i think the top end job market outside English language instruction could be much more accessible than those 3 plum jobs at the ITESM. I understand that this is Dave�s ESL Cafe but has anyone considered and/or attempted to make the jump to non-TEFL employment? I assume that most of us have a fairly high level of Spanish no? Our authentic two language ability puts us at a distinct advantage over most other job candidates.
For example
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
+Business background (sales, marketing)
+University degree
+Fluent English
+Available to travel
Offer $ 18000 plus benefits
Using our English to distinguish ourselves from Mexican applicants rather than teaching English to help a student distinguish himself or herself from other applicants? Would this be attractive to some folk on here? Just thinking out loud........ |
The only hole in your argument is that there are many near-fluent Mexicans too, which is a much more attractive proposition for an employer. Also, depending on which immigration office you use, it may be difficult to get clearance to do a job a Mexican could do, unless you are an inmigrado. |
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the peanut gallery
Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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It wasn't an argument Phil.
While there may indeed be Mexicans with near perfect English in places like DF, GDL and Monterrey there are many colonial cities where authentic English language ability is harder to come by. DF isnt the center of the Universe.  |
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MotherF
Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1450 Location: 17�48'N 97�46'W
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 10:17 pm Post subject: |
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the peanut gallery wrote: |
DF isnt the center of the Universe.  |
You can say that again!
But I agree with Phil on the immigration point. Unless you are immigrado or naturalized, how is that going to fly?
But then, I have a full time tenured university position, and swore to myself I would never work for a for profit company again, so I'm probably not the type of person you were hoping to hear from!  |
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the peanut gallery
Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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Not many people with inmigrado status then? I thought there would be quite a few. |
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Enchilada Potosina

Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 1:01 am Post subject: |
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I've done a little job-hunting since I got my inmigrado status and been to quite a few interviews (by the way, you should explain the status very clearly on your resume or cover letter as it's not that well understood). They usually wonder why I would want to change jobs if I make good money (according to them) teaching and translating. I tell them that I would trade a paycut for some stability and decent benefits, health insurance etc. any day of the week. |
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EFLeducator

Joined: 16 Dec 2011 Posts: 595 Location: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 1:23 am Post subject: |
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Enchilada Potosina wrote: |
I would trade a paycut for some stability and decent benefits, health insurance etc. any day of the week. |
Another excellent point, EP. Muchas Gracias my fellow TEFLer. |
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tideout
Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 213
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 11:16 am Post subject: |
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Interesting post. I've known a few people who've been home owners, lived in Mexico for 18+ years but still have one fit in the ESL field.
Can you guys give me the basics of the inmigrado status? I understand that the requirements for residency have changed recently and it's now easier to get residency after even a few years? |
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Guy Courchesne

Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: |
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
+Business background (sales, marketing)
+University degree
+Fluent English
+Available to travel
Offer $ 18000 plus benefits |
Not sure about SLP but here in the center of the universe that kind of job entails looooong working hours. I've always looked at such people here in DF and wondered how they do it...2 hour commute from the burbs, 12 hour day or longer at work. Where's the time for the kids?
A friend of mine was earning a fair sum more than 18k doing this job with a pharma company here in DF. Monday to Friday 7 to 9 PM, plus Saturday work. He practically had to raise his kids by cellphone. He left the job a couple of years ago and got into teaching...got about a 50% pay cut but he's now home by 4, never works Saturdays and has time off in the summer on the same schedule.
Might be grand if you're single but me? I couldn't do it. |
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the peanut gallery
Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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I do/have worked in private industry and part of my experience was in DF. I have never passed 40-45 hours per week. Maybe i got lucky. DF teachers dont have long commutes? I know in Queretaro, SLP, Veracruz, etc transport time is quite short.
Salary is relative. As Guy says, some are willing to take a big pay cut to have more family time. Understandable. But i wonder how many teachers are home by 4pm? Surely there are papers to grade and lessons to plan after class. Surely there are split shifts; first class of the day at 7 30 am, next at 10, then block hours from 4-8pm plus Saturday half days. |
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the peanut gallery
Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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tideout,
Sorry i cant help out. I obtained inmigrado status in 3 months. My partner is Mexican. After a couple of frustrating immigration visits we eventually just brought the required paperwork and proof of income and that was that. In the event of a job change, all that is required of me is to write a letter confirming said change.
Hopefully you get a few responses to your query. There are very knowledgeable people on this board who know the process very well.
As EP said, make sure to confirm your legal status on your CV. Most of my fellow posters are much more informed than most HR people. |
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Guy Courchesne

Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hard to generalize for everyone, every job, everywhere as we tend to do here. I was commenting more on the salaryman lifestyle of living in the burbs, working in town, and having the heavy commute. I'm sure many teachers also have that long commute.
School here ends at 2 or 230, so with a 2 hour commute, you're home by 4 or 430 if you live that far away...you had that commute here did you not?
My girlfriend would be one to tell you about grading papers...that's done at home/online. She fortunately lives 10 minutes from work, but grading does take a fair amount of time as I'm sure many here know.
Split shifts are for language schools and business English...those are tough to get used to but good if you like that large block of day in the middle free for study/other work/time for kids. Not for everyone, but it's always worked well for me. |
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the peanut gallery
Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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Agreed, hard to generalize. And this thread was not intended to state that one option is better than another. Rather i wanted to start a discussion on the relative accessibility of non TEFL jobs.
I lived and worked in Santa Fe, or Houston as i used to call it. I was home in 15 minutes. I know that is not what most people do but it was my experience. Thats all i have to go on. |
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SpaceTone
Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 29
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 12:07 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
For those of us on this forum who are long term residents of Mexico i think the top end job market outside English language instruction could be much more accessible than those 3 plum jobs at the ITESM. I understand that this is Dave�s ESL Cafe but has anyone considered and/or attempted to make the jump to non-TEFL employment? I assume that most of us have a fairly high level of Spanish no? Our authentic two language ability puts us at a distinct advantage over most other job candidates.
For example
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
+Business background (sales, marketing)
+University degree
+Fluent English
+Available to travel
Offer $ 18000 plus benefits
Using our English to distinguish ourselves from Mexican applicants rather than teaching English to help a student distinguish himself or herself from other applicants? Would this be attractive to some folk on here? Just thinking out loud........ |
Interesting topic. I�ll add my 2 cents as I looked into the possibility of working outside of ESL in DF
I thought having native English, functional Spanish, a degree, certificates and good experience in my particular field would have put me in a good position, but I received little interest. As commented above, there are a lot of Mexicans with excellent English and also extremely well qualified, all vying for a limited number of jobs,and I found that having native English did nothing to differentiate myself.
I also found that for account manager, business development jobs etc like the one you posted, they often want candidates with a well established network of contacts, or the ability to build one, which could potentially be an obstacle for non-Mexicans. |
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the peanut gallery
Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 2:30 am Post subject: |
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Interesting insight. Sounds like this may be difficult to do in a major city. Perhaps being a pipope may have advantages after all  |
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