Job Discussion Forums

[goeastyoung(ish)man!]

I'm an almost newbie and thought I'd play it safe by landing a nice university job to start out with, based upon earlier posts here and the fact that they have fewer children at universities.

Problem: I have found at least 2 good offers with a catch: they both apparently want me to teach the incoming freshmen but this year the freshmen report late and then have military training (I think it is only a physical fitness program) until early November. Is that new for this year, the freshmen starting late? One school is in Jiangxi and the other in Hunan. Has anyone else run into this situation?

[Minhang Oz]

November is abnormally late, even with military "training" thrown in. This is one of the funnier sights of the school year by the way, and for me allayed any fears of a China Threat that I may have had in a previous xenophobic life.
I've had both training and the late start you mention occur previously [though not together, as you seem to have], but it's just meant a reduced work load while on full pay, which I found I could handle.
For you it sounds more serious. It would be worth telling both schools the same thing: you've quit your job to go to their establishment, and now find that through no fault of your own, you have no work or salary for X weeks. As a result, you may have to revisit your options.
See if one of them comes to the party. If not, there are still plenty of nicely paid jobs out there, and 2 months is a long time without a salary.

[arioch36]

Really, the university should pay you starting September. Certainly the Chinese teachers get paid even if they are teaching (not teaching) freshman. This is China. Bargain with them. Tell them teaching freshman or teaching someone else, that is the school's responsibility to decide, but that you expect to get paid starting Sep 1st.

[goeastyoung(ish)man!]

Thanks for the replies. I'm only now talking to school 2 because school 1 sprung it on me after sending me an official invitation. We signed a contract specifying a Sept to July time period, so I suppose I could show up, demand pay and ensure my life becomes a living hell for the next 10 months. They made it clear that they don't want me there early, and I did try to reason with them using arguments that you both mentioned. Bottom line is I don't want to be where I'm not wanted when there is probably a better situation somewhere else.

There may be more flexibility with school 2, so I am hopeful with them. And there is a possible school 3, who are telling me they need some time to decide whether to offer me the position.

I'll be glad when this matter is taken care of, I have a job, and life in China is smooth sailing. .....