Job Discussion Forums

[punkouter]

I know this is kind of off topic. I originally came here wondering about teaching ESL. But my expertise in america is computer programming so I would like to see if there is any chance I could use that to get a job overseas

So does anyone know a good web site for seeing whats available? So far the only one I can find is

http://www.expat.ru/vacancies.php

but I want to make sure I do not miss a big sight.. So I figured someone might know about this ?

[coledavis]

I was in Elets for a short time and as I became known I was offered an interview for a programming job. I have a postgraduate conversion MSc in Computer Science and can definitely program. I didn't go, but you may in interested in the circumstances:

If you look up 'yelets tobacco' on google (alternative spelling for Elets), you'll find a firm that recycles tobacco. No, I don't know if they pick up old dog-ends and put them into the fags [unbelievable, this has been bleeped - sorry, Americans, but F. A. G.s means cigarettes in British English], but when I bought some cheap cigarettes from a kiosk and gave them to friends in England, I was given the impression that this was possible. Anyway, they were interested in me partly because, according to a manager I spoke to on the phone (in English), there aren't that many native English speakers that far out. Elets is about 200-240 miles south of Moscow.

Extrapolating further. There are loads of programmers in Russia, generally highly skilled and with mathematical expertise. So, it could well be that you need to use your 'native speaker' status in tandem with your computing skills. Further, it could well be that you'll be more valued away from Moscow and St Petersburg, where they have more English speakers. (In Elets, most people don't speak English, or at least it's no better than our school-based knowledge of French.)

In case you want to pursue the Elets job in particular, I would add that Elets is quite a pleasant town, with a 19th century town centre and pleasant walks to the suburban areas. There's a local university, essentially a converted college; I don' t think they could pay for an English teacher but if you come in to talk with the English students as an occasional volunteer, you'll make some good contacts. (Done that, been on the video.) Hope this helps.

[Seeker of truth]

I might've posted these thoughts some time before.

The advantage westerners have who work in the financial sector in Russia is that they aren't Russians. The problem some western companies have had with hiring Russians is that they never know who the Russian employees are connected with. Do you want just anybody to be privy to financial data?

It's possible that programming might have some similarities.