Job Discussion Forums

[marblez]

I found this relevant to this forum. My Business Communications teacher has informed us that we should never get our MA before landing some solid career teaching experience because we would price ourselves right out a job. He said he applied to every school district in our province, and when asked why he didn't get a job:

"Your MA qualifies you for $52k... a fresh BA student would make $33k - you cost too much"

This may only apply to your home country and not for post-secondary, but it makes a lot of sense. I was considering an MA right after school but am thinking twice.

[Gordon]

This is true in some cases, especially in regards to ESL. I know of some people who work on their masters and stop with 1 or 2 courses left before graduation. Then they apply and get jobs teaching in the Cdn school system at the low rate. Then they finish their masters and automatically get bumped up into the higher wage bracket and there is nothing the school district can do about it.

Another reason I wouldn't get a masters right away is that you are investing so much of our time and money into something you may not like. Many teachers quit teaching after or during their first year in the school system. Get your nose out of the books and into the classroom and get some experience first. You will also get more out of your masters and understand better what you are learning. I'm doing my masters p/t and teaching f/t. I use what I learn in the classroom and apply it right away. I see for myself if the theories and methodologies they are teaching me works.

[juststeven]

"Business Communication" professor telling you that you will out-price yourself in ESL/EFL if you have a MA, M.Ed ? Paleeeeze, most of the well paying jobs require more than a BA. If that is the case in your homeland, perhaps it's good advice, but if you want to travel and get the best jobs, go for the graduate degree.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Depending on where in Canada the OP is posting from, she (he?) might be in an area where you finish your BA, then you go to university for a year and get a CTESL, then you get an MA (but normally you need to get experience before being allowed into the MA).

It's true that an MA could price you out of some jobs. But then, a while back a BA priced you out of the retail job area and nowadays more than half of all full-timers at retail jobs have degrees.

An MA is still a requirement for a job at a college or university most of the time.

[Chris_Crossley]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

I'm too lazy. I generally just go thread by thread, without looking up a posters history each time I reply. It would somehow feel too stalker-ish for me.

[Chris_Crossley]

[Peaches En Regalia]

Although I would agree with the advice not to get an MA before "landing some solid career teaching experience", it would most certainly not be for the 'reason' espoused by this 'teacher'. (Of course, one question I would ask is where exactly one can conduct an MA in any teaching-related field without teaching experience? What sort of a 'Master' would that make one precisely?) You must remember at all times that not having an MA will result in your not being considered for, most obviously, posts that require such a qualification. Thus, with no MA under your belt you will 'price yourself out', if you will, of this particular market. It just so happens, of course, that this particular market is the one that offers more rewarding posts, vastly better pay (in fact, a proper, professional's salary), a full benefit's package, and immeasurably enhanced promotion prospects.

[merlin]

[marblez]

My teacher wasn't ESL specific, it was generalized to secondary school teaching in North America. The reality is that you most likely will NOT be hired in local school districts if you are overqualified.

But I think I'm different from many posters, I probably won't ever move to an overseas country, I'd like to have a teaching career here and use TESL as another teachable subject.

[Stephen Jones]

The advice given by the OP is correct, for that particular set of salary scales. Some less skinflint districts would worry less.

In more general terms, bear in mind that if your qualifications make that great a difference, they are paying a lot of extra money for an unknown quantity. If you have a couple of years experience and the MA then at least they know they are getting something solid.

[guest of Japan]

In the Northeast of the US an MA is often a requirement for a first year position. In NY it is the law though I've heard ways around it. In areas where MAs are less common you will price yourself out of a job.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Gordon]

When I was looking into grad schools for MAs in TESOL/App. Linguistics last year, I found that about 18 of the 20 schools I looked into had a requirement of at least 2 years of prior teaching experience.

[Ben Round de Bloc]