Job Discussion Forums

dialectic · Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 59

I owe 30k in student loans

Graduated 99

but had a criminal record for smoking pot from 94-2003

When i graduated i couldnt enter my field, volunteer, or find a job for but i tried and applied for 1000 job and kept a record of this, and attended around 10 job programs with no luck

sept 22, 2003 i got pardon---its clear now but im still struggling

a couple of weeks ago i applied for free financial help with a nice fellow and he said he would work out my probs with student loans but suggested i consider teaching english---dont know why or what prompted him but he said there are so much opps --so i have been looking into now for a bit

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My questions are am i suitable for this type of work i only have six months experience volunteering with kids(june-dec 2004)? and "my criminal record probs in the past"

Would the school in asia think im directionless or hopefless ?

are the skills gained as a english teacher more valuable than those gained at deadend jobs such as Mcdonalds?

I dont want to claim bankruptcy but its been five years and i havent lowered my student loan debt all or gained any prof. experience

are there any options for me other than getting a minimum wage job in Canada and declaring bankruptcy ?

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Good advice there from shmooj...

I think some countries would give you problems regarding the conviction...although Chile is the only I can think of as an example. Depends on if you can keep that quiet or not.

You might need to look into some more training before being able to get a decent paying job (thinking about Korea, Japan, and Latin America here). I say this because to be honest, from the quickest assessment of what you wrote, you have the profile of a person some unsavory language school would exploit to their advantage. Just be careful when looking around at teaching positions, particularly recruiters. Ask a lot of questions and get guarantees or proof of what's offered.

AsiaTraveller

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I don't totally agree with Asiatraveller, but it sounds like to make your future work as an ESL teacher, you would have to do a certain amount of turning yourself around. I think if you were willing to invest time and energy in some basic training, and if you got a bit lucky with employment, you might be able to start somewhere (Korea, maybe?) at an acceptable level. But ESL can't get you out of the hole you've dug yourself into - and if you are vulnerable to outside pressures (social, whatever), you can easily just dig yourself deeper down.
So, I guess, for what it's worth - I think if you pull up your socks and can keep them pulled up over the long term, you likely have a chance.
Good luck!

dialectic · Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 59

well i did get a pardon and couldnt find work during that ten years--my record is clean and im super clean--love cooking and eating different foods, dont smoke, no drink, no dope, barely go out, just work out alot

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Guy's advice is spot on. Forget what Asia Traveller said. Anyone trying to help you with single word answers has no time for you.

You need to get training first. I recommend the CELTA (Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults - don't worry that it says Adults, it makes no difference to employers). That way, you show your potential employers that you know what the minimum standards are and it is a good way of seeing if you really want to make a living out of English teaching. It is pricey but the course itself will teach you some valuable skills. Worth paying for IMHO.

You do, as Guy said, need to watch out for unscrupulous recruiters and employers. Use this forum as a heads up and if you are going to go to Korea, get on the Korea forum too. Keep your skeletons in the cupboard if you have been pardoned and are clean now. There is no use dragging up the past if it has no bearing on the present or future. In Asia, they will drop you like a hot potato if they find out your past so I wouldn't breathe a word of it over here to anyone (the grapevine is very powerful here).

Can you find anywhere offering CELTA training near you?

Aramas · Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 1:11 am Post subject:

Rather than just dropping yourself in a room full of students, it would probably be helpful to travel solo for a while first. You have to break your old habits, draw yourself out and develop new habits. I realise that money is a bit short, but a couple of thousand dollars can go a long way in SE Asia.

Ignore asia trembler and his ilk. He no doubt voted for Bush.