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Elicit
Joined: 12 May 2010
Posts: 244
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 Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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I have a similar background to the OP with an OU related BA. Until certain countries' mindsets change, and let's face it they may never in our lifetimes, an OU degree will present challenges in that part of the world.
However, I have been offered two jobs in Saudi on the basis of my OU related BA degree. The first was undoubtably a work visit visa kind of deal with a private entity, but the second was a very well respected, so Dave's tells me, university employer. This was direct hire for a February start as I remember. Not sure how they were going to manage this, because I had already accepted a similar offer elsewhere. I was working on my MA at the time but that probably wasn't relevant to their decision to extend an offer.
KSU keep contacting me for an interview too, and they are also aware of my education background, through a copy of my CV I sent a couple of years ago. I never really got into details with any of these employers, because whilst I have a watch, they appeared to have time. Do even these well-known direct hire employers hire teachers on work visit visas?
I will personally be looking at Oman for future job opportunities, because there is plenty of life for an OU degree outside of the specific countries mentioned. Anyways, my advice for what it's worth reblair is get yourself out there, wherever there is, and rack up some experience first of all. You can consider a related MA back in the UK if you really love the job, and then the world really could be your oyster, as this would become your qualifying degree for the countries that are currently off-limits. Good luck. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Elicit wrote: |
However, I have been offered two jobs in Saudi on the basis of my OU related BA degree. The first was undoubtably a work visit visa kind of deal with a private entity, but the second was a very well respected, so Dave's tells me, university employer. This was direct hire for a February start as I remember. Not sure how they were going to manage this, because I had already accepted a similar offer elsewhere. I was working on my MA at the time but that probably wasn't relevant to their decision to extend an offer.
KSU keep contacting me for an interview too, and they are also aware of my education background, through a copy of my CV I sent a couple of years ago. I never really got into details with any of these employers, because whilst I have a watch, they appeared to have time. Do even these well-known direct hire employers hire teachers on work visit visas? |
KSU uses contracting companies for its staffing needs; it's not a direct-hire employer. Direct-hire situations in Saudi Arabia do not entail business/work visit visas. Plus, be very aware of the problems working with this visa type (i.e., visit visa) since it does not equate to bona fide employment and residency; there's no protection via Saudi labor law if the sponsoring contracting company you work for decides to screw you over.
Your degree will go under review during the application process for an employment visa.
| and Elicit wrote: |
| I will personally be looking at Oman for future job opportunities, because there is plenty of life for an OU degree outside of the specific countries mentioned. |
Oman does not have a lot of opportunities mainly due to Omanization. |
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reblair79
Joined: 15 Jan 2016
Posts: 103
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| Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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Sophunburi, I wasn't trying to argue back. I did try to emphasise this. I would never whinge or think my OU degree is anything special. I was just trying to find out a link or some information. Thanks, all the best.
Last edited by reblair79 on Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:32 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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reblair79
Joined: 15 Jan 2016
Posts: 103
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| Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Elicit wrote: |
I have a similar background to the OP with an OU related BA. Until certain countries' mindsets change, and let's face it they may never in our lifetimes, an OU degree will present challenges in that part of the world.
However, I have been offered two jobs in Saudi on the basis of my OU related BA degree. The first was undoubtably a work visit visa kind of deal with a private entity, but the second was a very well respected, so Dave's tells me, university employer. This was direct hire for a February start as I remember. Not sure how they were going to manage this, because I had already accepted a similar offer elsewhere. I was working on my MA at the time but that probably wasn't relevant to their decision to extend an offer.
KSU keep contacting me for an interview too, and they are also aware of my education background, through a copy of my CV I sent a couple of years ago. I never really got into details with any of these employers, because whilst I have a watch, they appeared to have time. Do even these well-known direct hire employers hire teachers on work visit visas?
I will personally be looking at Oman for future job opportunities, because there is plenty of life for an OU degree outside of the specific countries mentioned. Anyways, my advice for what it's worth reblair is get yourself out there, wherever there is, and rack up some experience first of all. You can consider a related MA back in the UK if you really love the job, and then the world really could be your oyster, as this would become your qualifying degree for the countries that are currently off-limits. Good luck. |
Thanks for that. That's an interesting insight. |
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Elicit
Joined: 12 May 2010
Posts: 244
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| Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 1:11 am Post subject: |
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Nomad,
Ooops, my mistake, I applied direct to ELI at KAU not KSU. So many acronyms in this game  I did this because of your general advice in these forums. Do they direct hire, because the emails I have received state the institute / university as the sender?
KFUPM is not a direct hire position? As with KAU above, I applied direct to the university They were the other potential employer. Perhaps they didn't read my CV before conducting an hour's interview with me? What a waste of time that interview was, along with the subsequent offer.
I don't need lot a lot of good opportunities in Oman, just one. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 5:05 am Post subject: |
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| Elicit wrote: |
Nomad,
Ooops, my mistake, I applied direct to ELI at KAU not KSU. So many acronyms in this game I did this because of your general advice in these forums. Do they direct hire, because the emails I have received state the institute / university as the sender?
KFUPM is not a direct hire position? As with KSU above, I applied direct to the university They were the other potential employer. Perhaps they didn't read my CV before conducting an hour's interview with me? What a waste of time that interview was, along with the subsequent offer. |
KAU in Jeddah is direct hire but may also use a contracting company for supplemental teaching needs. KFUPM is a direct-hire employer too and is one of the better deals in the kingdom because of its family-friendly benefits.
However, as with any hiring situation in Saudi Arabia, the applicant is financially responsible for all employment visa costs up front. So it's no loss for prospective employers if the job candidate's university degree gets his/her employment visa application rejected due to online course credits. Some Saudi employers expect applicants to know this.
| and Elicit wrote: |
| I don't need lot a lot of good opportunities in Oman, just one. |
Those good opportunities are few and far between since vacancies rarely open up. And when they do, competition is high with qualified Omanis given preference (i.e., Omanization). The Gulf is changing. |
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Elicit
Joined: 12 May 2010
Posts: 244
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| Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 8:48 am Post subject: |
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At least some employers recognise the degree although that is of little use if you can't get a proper work permit. Perhaps, they were just clutching at straws at the time.
Thanks. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Elicit wrote: |
| At least some employers recognise the degree although that is of little use if you can't get a proper work permit. Perhaps, they were just clutching at straws at the time. |
It's more like they skimmed your CV and saw your degree level and major were relevant to the position before they moved on to your TEFL training and teaching experience. Where the degree was studied isn't a major issue at that point; native and non-native English speakers from all over the world teach in Saudi (and GCC) university English prep year programs and obviously, not all of them have degrees from the west. |
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Elicit
Joined: 12 May 2010
Posts: 244
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| Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2017 1:14 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
It's more like they skimmed your CV
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The cheek of it 
As I have obviously contributed to the downfall of a pretty good read in this thread, I'll make an effort to get it back on track.
I, like some have said before, was a early mid-life career changer. Had a good job in home country but got bored of the 9 to 5. During the course of this job I got involved in training. Liked this aspect more than the job itself so went about finding a classroom I could explore this further in.
After some volunteer work and then a CELTA, I went to SE Asia for a run-of-the-mill language school and started a related BA. Lucky enough to teach adults only because of my business background. I chose the best language school, or I suppose the least bad school, I could for a good first experience and not a CV killer. It was both of these, luckily. Many colleagues already had a first degree so I was playing catch-up.
After the degree was finished I moved to another school in another SE Asia country to be a Senior Teacher in a department that dealt with adults only. This was OK, but again I was playing catch-up because everybody at the same level had a MA or DELTA. Did module 1 of the DELTA and started a MA. Hated the go-between nature of manager / teacher, so decided to move on.
Did the full-time IELTS Examiner thing because of the flexible schedule and tuition fee paying salary. Finished the MA. Got bored and hated the travel so looked to get back to the classroom, where I am happiest.
Found a new job in the university sector. Will be working with people that are still more qualified than myself and thinking do I really need to finish my DELTA and / or do a Ph.D, or maybe need some journal publications or conference presentations. Undecided, thus far. To be continued...
The reoccurring theme here is I continually tried to punch above my weight. The positives are I have learnt a lot from more qualified and experienced colleagues, and the downside is I have spent 6 years studying part-time. I do consider learning to be an important part of career development in teaching and I don't regret any of the study or experience for one moment, but do look forward to going back to my very first job in the least bad language school and just enjoying my teaching in another 15 years or so as a retirement type gig. |
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