Job Discussion Forums

[denise]

[pollitatica]

So, I�m really surprised that noone has said this yet, but have you thought of just paying off your credit card debt before you leave? I leave for La Ceiba, Honduras tomorrow actually, and graduated this past May. I waited, worked my butt off in school and when I got out for the past 5 months in order to pay off the debt that I had (not including my student loan debt which I got deferred) before I left. It was a great decision. Instead of up and going in June, I waited around and worked a few jobs at once to pay off my debts and save up the money. I owed a couple of thousand dollars, and I managed just fine. I even managed to save almost $2,000 too.

Also, I think a lot of what you are focusing on is the "it will look good on my resume." While I respect that, I really don't think you should do the Fulbright or JET program because it will look good. If you want to teach adults, then do it! A job at a university in china will look great regardless of whether or not its through a government program. also, if you have the passion to go to latin america (knowing the language better will definitely help you understand your future students 2nd language needs and problems) ... you can go and not go through the peace corps. THere are a lot of benefits to the peace corps, but I really decided that it wasn't for me. I think either China or teaching in LA would be the best bet for you. Keep in mind that even if you do PC and you aren't teaching, I bet they would absolutely love it if you set up an English program wherever you are.

Good luck with whatever you choose. And don't get down if you don't get accepted to the programs. I recently got turned down for Teach for America, and I thought that I was an excellent candidate (as did others.) Let us know what you decide!

[jennjenn]

Thanks everybody!!

Actually, I have been living piously the past few weeks in a desperate attempt to pay off my cards. I'm pretty sure I can do it before graduation. I wouldn't want to go abroad with that hanging over my head.

Polli, you echoed what somebody else said to me today. I'm still at a loss on what to do, but I'll keep you guys updated. Denise, that ELF program sounds awesome...I will totally apply for it after grad school!!!

On that note, I retracted my NYCTF application. Jzer is right, I need to make absolutely sure that this is what I wanna do, before I commit time to grad school.

[jennjenn]

If anyone cares...I decided that PC is my #1 choice. I realized that I would regret not doing the PC, but can't say the same for the other options, not to the same extent anyway. Even if I don't/can't teach English in Latin America.

[MELEE]

Good for you!

I don't know you, but that seems like a good choice, 1) because you seem confidant with it and 2) if the time is right for your to do PC, do it know, because later in life so many things, partners, kids, aging parents, other job ops come up that make it hard to make a PC type commitment.

Best of Luck! Let us know if you get accepted.

[GWUstudent]

Very interesting thread. I think all your options are good ones. I just wanted to say that even if you do join the Peace Corps, who's to say that you'll want to come home immedietly after. You could always apply for Fulbright and Jet and be even more competitive with Peace Corps experience under your belt.

I don't understand what your hurry is though. You have plenty of time to do it all. I just think its a mistake to put time limits on yourself. If your enjoying your experiences abroad, why force yourself to come home and start a family just because your 30? Once you have a family, its not quite as easy to pack up and move someplace foreign.

Good luck whatever you decide and keep us posted!

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[jennjenn]

That is true. I'm a big believer in volunteer work. But not to benefit the rich people, only the poor. Anyway, I mailed in my JET application last week and as soon as finals are over (next week) I will have completed my PC application. What a big fat pain in the behind this all has been. I have personal statements coming out my ears. But I'm not complaining...I'm grateful for these opportunities.

The crappy thing is that I won't get a final acceptance letter from Fulbright until "mid-March to late June." WHAT?! That really narrows it down. And I'll hear from JET around April, and if/when I get accepted to PC I have to accept/decline within two weeks...what the heck?! How in the world am I supposed to make a decision without knowing what my options really are? What if I turn down the first acceptance in hopes of getting a second and third...and then don't get them?!!

I might be jinxing myself though...and counting my chickens before they've hatched. Now there's an idiom for the classroom.

Okay, my rant is over. Thank you.