Job Discussion Forums

[Cleopatra]

Hi,

Am currently working in KSA but am planning to leave soon in order to do a Master's in Applied Linguistics in my home town.
I have only one reason for doing this degree: to get a job in the UAE. Although I have considerable teaching experience, everywhere in the UAE turned me down flat due to a loack of a Masters Degree. I believe that the course will take a year, and that I will - insh'allah! - be awarded the Masters towards the end of 2004.
My question is: will any instituition (I'm thinking mainly of universities and HCT) accept me before I'm actually holding the piece of paper? In other words, would it be possible for me to get a job in Autumn 2004? I'm told that many places demand that applicants have the Masters "in hand" as they put it - ie, it's not good enough to say, well, I hope to be awarded the degree in a few month's time.
Any thoughts?

[veiledsentiments]

Hi Cleo,

Just to make your situation seem harder, the majority of the good positions in the Emirates want an MA plus X number of years experience. And they only count experience AFTER the MA.

That said, if they are having trouble getting people in the next year or so, that may help them change their minds.

Go get that MA anyway and worry about the experience thing when you're done. Worst case situation would be spending a couple of years in a place like Oman where the pay is less, but there are some acceptable jobs that you can get. (country and students are great!!) Then you have something to put on the CV post MA and you can move into the best UAE jobs.

VS

[hmbaba]

On the other hand, VS, some places don't require post-MA experience, especially if you have quite a few years before the MA, and have Middle East experience.
When I went to UAEU in '96, I had done all my MA coursework and submitted the thesis - was awaiting ratification which didn't come till late Sept. Several of us were in that boat that year - but that was when UAEU didn't require an MA. However, based on what I remember of other cases there more recent than mine, I think you might have a chance with them if you are a good way into the MA (documented) and if the ratification date is at the start of the academic year. Some places also accept people to start in January. I'd also like to say that I got an instant pay raise backdated to the date of ratification. They will need an original doc from the University concerned, posted direct to them, to say you have been awarded an MA.
Also, the first batch of 3-year contracts at UAEU expire next year, so it might be a good year to apply.

[veiledsentiments]

Good point about the 3-years expiring next year, hmbaba. UAEU has done a lot of hiring this year too, but so far all the people that I know that are going there have MAs plus lot of experience in the area. I suspect that pre-MA experience, especially in the Middle East, may very well help get you in the door.

As hiring expands in the UAE because of expanding student numbers, they are getting more liberal in their requirements. Also, applications are down at some places due to the whole political situation.

So hopefully no worries Cleo

VS

[Cleopatra]

Thanks for your help.

You made me a bit nervous when you talked about post MA experience! It seems a bit harsh esp. when I've got 10 years experience, incl. some here in KSA. What hmbaba said about UAEU is heartening, though.

What about HCT? Is it true that they don't requie the MA and will accect the post-grad Dip?

By the way, are you the same Veiled Sentiments who posts on the LP Thorn Tree?

[Mark100]

HTC will hire if you have a diploma although a masters is preferable.
Most of the unis require min. of masters.

[veiledsentiments]

Hi Cleo,

Yes, it's the same me on TT. We retired people have time on our hands rather often to play on the web. Have you noticed that most of my advice is sending people over here?

The story on MA's in the Gulf is that when I first arrived in the mid-80's most everyone was requiring one. The culture tends to like degrees and pieces of paper from academic institutions. But, it seems that it was mostly Americans that had them. We have all read all the arguments about what makes a good teacher. But, the decision to loosen up on the MAs was more political and/or a touch of the realities of supply and demand.

As colleges and universities have grown, requirements have slowly loosened. Of course, the more that you can bring to the table, the better your chances of getting the job. But, in places with pay that goes up by degree and experience, the steps seem to always be tied to experience after the MA. If there are exceptions, I hope that someone will point them out to us. The only one that I know is not in the Gulf; it is the American University in Cairo.

I believe that ZU still requires experience after the MA. Anyone know different out there??

VS

[stoth1972]

Cleopatra: Pretty much all the big ones now require masters in hand. HCT will take diploma level in some cases, however, Zayed, UAE and MLI want to see the paper. That's all the're concerned about. I've seen people hired with ANY masters over someone who has excellent experience like yourself. Good luck!

[Cleopatra]

Oh dear, Stoth, that doesn't sound all that encouraging!

however, I had heard that MLI did not in fact absolutely require the Masters. Am I wrong?

[grand fromage]

Sorry to bring you the bad news Cleopatra, but MLI will not hire you without a Master's in-hand. No exceptions. However, they used to hire for the Naval Academy that only required a Bachelor's degree, but I haven't heard of that p