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Zhanglang
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 32
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 Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 3:02 am Post subject: Job opportunities for PhDs |
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I'm considering starting a PhD in Applied Linguistics this coming fall. I'm curious what job opportunities exist for Americans with doctorates in Taiwan. I've read the Bureau of Education will not permit those with distance learning degrees (<6 months residency) to teach in universities, so that would not be an option for me. Are there other prestigious or higher paying positions available that anyone knows of that would make getting a PhD worth the effort? I've heard people say you can walk on water in Taiwan with a PhD, but I don't really know what there is, and want to find out more information before I make the commitment.
Last edited by Zhanglang on Mon May 07, 2007 11:49 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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TaoyuanSteve
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1028
Location: Taoyuan
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:02 am Post subject: |
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A distance degree that will not satisfy regulatory requirements for university teaching is likely not going to get you much more job wise than any other degree. Maybe you will have an advantage in competition for more lucrative non-uni positions for which a PhD is not usually required, but experience may be just as good a selling point as the degree for such positions.
If your goal is Taiwan alone, choose a non-distance degree or even choose one from Taiwan. They'll most likely give you a scholarship. |
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surrealia
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
Posts: 241
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:03 am Post subject: |
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According to Michael Turton's website (http://www.michaelturton.com/Taiwan/college_benefits.html)
you would be making between 62,000 and 72,000 TW dollars a month. Not bad, although you could make more $$$ in Japan or Hong Kong.
If your degree is in Applied Linguistics or anything related to language teaching, you might not get much respect from your peers who have degrees in literature or linguistics. |
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Zhanglang
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:21 am Post subject: |
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| TaoyuanSteve wrote: |
A distance degree that will not satisfy regulatory requirements for university teaching is likely not going to get you much more job wise than any other degree. Maybe you will have an advantage in competition for more lucrative non-uni positions for which a PhD is not usually required, but experience may be just as good a selling point as the degree for such positions.
If your goal is Taiwan alone, choose a non-distance degree or even choose one from Taiwan. They'll most likely give you a scholarship. |
I am moving to Taiwan in a few months. I was only curious what doors a PhD could open. I was looking at a program at Victoria University of Wellington. It's more of just a thing I would be willing to do if it would be beneficial to me. I understand I wouldn't be able to land a professorship (at least not until the legislation changes,) but I thought there might be other higher paying non-university positions it could help with. |
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TaoyuanSteve
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1028
Location: Taoyuan
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:28 am Post subject: |
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| Zhanglang wrote: |
| TaoyuanSteve wrote: |
A distance degree that will not satisfy regulatory requirements for university teaching is likely not going to get you much more job wise than any other degree. Maybe you will have an advantage in competition for more lucrative non-uni positions for which a PhD is not usually required, but experience may be just as good a selling point as the degree for such positions.
If your goal is Taiwan alone, choose a non-distance degree or even choose one from Taiwan. They'll most likely give you a scholarship. |
I am moving to Taiwan in a few months. I was only curious what doors a PhD could open. I was looking at a program at Victoria University of Wellington. It's more of just a thing I would be willing to do if it would be beneficial to me. I understand I wouldn't be able to land a professorship (at least not until the legislation changes,) but I thought there might be other higher paying non-university positions it could help with. |
Don't be too disappointed when it doesn't help much, though. For most jobs aside from universities, a BA will suffice in terms of academic requirements because that is all that is required by the government for a work permit (those lucky guys married don't even need a BA). A PhD may look nice on a resume, but for jobs not sepcifically requiring it, other skills like direct experience, Chinese skills and long term residence in Taiwan may look as attractive or even more so. |
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Zhanglang
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:34 am Post subject: |
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| TaoyuanSteve wrote: |
Don't be too disappointed when it doesn't help much, though. For most jobs aside from universities, a BA will suffice in terms of academic requirements because that is all that is required by the government for a work permit (those lucky guys married don't even need a BA). A PhD may look nice on a resume, but for jobs not sepcifically requiring it, other skills like direct experience, Chinese skills and long term residence in Taiwan may look as attractive or even more so. |
May I ask your credentials? There seems to be a lot of conflicting information out there. |
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TaoyuanSteve
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1028
Location: Taoyuan
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:53 am Post subject: |
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| Zhanglang wrote: |
| TaoyuanSteve wrote: |
Don't be too disappointed when it doesn't help much, though. For most jobs aside from universities, a BA will suffice in terms of academic requirements because that is all that is required by the government for a work permit (those lucky guys married don't even need a BA). A PhD may look nice on a resume, but for jobs not sepcifically requiring it, other skills like direct experience, Chinese skills and long term residence in Taiwan may look as attractive or even more so. |
May I ask your credentials? |
For what purpose? Am I seeking employment from you? This is the internet. I could say I have two PhDs. How would you verify it? And what purpose would that information serve in this discussion?
I've lived here over half a decade and I'm quite aware of the market here. I've known many an expat as well. I've seen some leave in disappointment when their distance degrees they worked hard on while working here were not able to get them what they wanted.
| Zhanglang wrote: |
| There seems to be a lot of conflicting information out there. |
Perhaps you could elaborate on that a little. Where's the conflict? You know you can't get a university appointment with a distance degree. I'm only adding that your distance PhD won't necessarily land you jobs you couldn't get without one. |
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Zhanglang
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:05 am Post subject: |
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| TaoyuanSteve wrote: |
Perhaps you could elaborate on that a little. Where's the conflict? You know you can't get a university appointment with a distance degree. I'm only adding that your distance PhD won't necessarily land you jobs you couldn't get without one. |
Only that I've read many places that a PhD increases your earning potential. I had a friend with a masters that worked for Kaplan or a similar company teaching college prep classes in Taiwan. I would just assume having a PhD in appling would put you in a better position for such jobs than a guy that ran away to Taiwan because his BA in philosophy couldn't earn him a living stateside. |
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dangerousapple
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 292
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:17 am Post subject: |
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Outside of universities and international schools, there probably are a small number of educational organizations that recognize extra degrees and pay accordingly, but there aren't going to be very many. Most likely the people who get those jobs have already been living here for some time, too. Those are the "sacred cow" kind of jobs that people keep hearing about but no one actually has.
If someone has no Taiwan teaching experience, it doesn't really matter how much education he has. He'll still be starting at the bottom of the pay scale and competing with the BAs. The education biz in Taiwan is all about the bottom line.
What does get higher pay is someone who comes here, teaches for a number of years, gets a higher degree, and can prove that he has something extra to offer his employer.
The people who make the most money here are those that work hard, and work the business side of things even harder. There is a poster named Kaifeng who has some threads here somewhere. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, but I like his general idea of promoting yourself like a business. |
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TaoyuanSteve
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1028
Location: Taoyuan
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:20 am Post subject: |
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| Zhanglang wrote: |
| TaoyuanSteve wrote: |
Perhaps you could elaborate on that a little. Where's the conflict? You know you can't get a university appointment with a distance degree. I'm only adding that your distance PhD won't necessarily land you jobs you couldn't get without one. |
Only that I've read many places that a PhD increases your earning potential. I had a friend with a masters that worked for Kaplan or a similar company teaching college prep classes in Taiwan. I would just assume having a PhD in appling would put you in a better position for such jobs than a guy that ran away to Taiwan because his BA in philosophy couldn't earn him a living stateside. |
And what if that guy who ran away with his philosophy degree has been teaching for 10 years here, speaks and writes fluent Chinese and has many connections? You're not going to out compete him with a distance degree.
Point being your degree is mostly used to satisfy government requirements. A PhD that was accepted by the authorites might land you a gig at a university. If it doesn't, the degree is overkill for most anything else. It may or may not get you something more lucrative than your average job, but my point was other qualifications and experiences may be just as attractive in landing those other plum jobs-- the PhD is not necessary, so why invest in it? Therefore, if you plan to work in Taiwan exclusively, you may want to consider doing a degree that will land you the uni position. Heck, do one here and you're more or less assured it will be accepted. |
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Zhanglang
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:25 am Post subject: |
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| dangerousapple wrote: |
Outside of universities and international schools, there probably are a small number of educational organizations that recognize extra degrees and pay accordingly, but there aren't going to be very many. Most likely the people who get those jobs have already been living here for some time, too. Those are the "sacred cow" kind of jobs that people keep hearing about but no one actually has.
If someone has no Taiwan teaching experience, it doesn't really matter how much education he has. He'll still be starting at the bottom of the pay scale and competing with the BAs. The education biz in Taiwan is all about the bottom line.
What does get higher pay is someone who comes here, teaches for a number of years, gets a higher degree, and can prove that he has something extra to offer his employer.
The people who make the most money here are those that work hard, and work the business side of things even harder. There is a poster named Kaifeng who has some threads here somewhere. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, but I like his general idea of promoting yourself like a business. |
I hear you about working your way up in cram schools and what not, but the guy I spoke of only was in Taiwan for around 4 months, then returned to the US to start med school. I have no idea how he found his job, but maybe I should ask him. I'm not necessarily looking for a teaching job, but any job involving English. I speak Chinese fluently and have a few undergrad and a masters. I just figured I could do something more than a cram school, especially if I finish a PhD.  |
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TaoyuanSteve
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1028
Location: Taoyuan
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:28 am Post subject: |
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| Zhanglang wrote: |
| dangerousapple wrote: |
Outside of universities and international schools, there probably are a small number of educational organizations that recognize extra degrees and pay accordingly, but there aren't going to be very many. Most likely the people who get those jobs have already been living here for some time, too. Those are the "sacred cow" kind of jobs that people keep hearing about but no one actually has.
If someone has no Taiwan teaching experience, it doesn't really matter how much education he has. He'll still be starting at the bottom of the pay scale and competing with the BAs. The education biz in Taiwan is all about the bottom line.
What does get higher pay is someone who comes here, teaches for a number of years, gets a higher degree, and can prove that he has something extra to offer his employer.
The people who make the most money here are those that work hard, and work the business side of things even harder. There is a poster named Kaifeng who has some threads here somewhere. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, but I like his general idea of promoting yourself like a business. |
I hear you about working your way up in cram schools and what not, but the guy I spoke of only was in Taiwan for around 4 months, then returned to the US to start med school. I have no idea how he found his job, but maybe I should ask him. I'm not necessarily looking for a teaching job, but any job involving English. I speak Chinese fluently and have a few undergrad and a masters. I just figured I could do something more than a cram school, especially if I finish a PhD. |
If you have a masters (again, not distance) then you should already be able to work at many universities. I know of several in my area doing so with masters degrees.
If buxibans are not for you, also consider editing and technical writing--translation even if your Chinese is up to it. These jobs are a little harder to come by, but really not that uncommon.
Last edited by TaoyuanSteve on Thu May 03, 2007 5:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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dangerousapple
Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 292
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:28 am Post subject: |
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| I guess my point is that hard work and creativity (with some good negotiating skills) can often get you a lot more than an advanced degree can. |
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Zhanglang
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:58 am Post subject: |
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| TaoyuanSteve wrote: |
| translation even if your Chinese is up to it. These jobs are a little harder to come by, but really not that uncommon. |
About your other post, the thread was closed before I responded. 當然在公家機關跟學校一些場合不會有人帶刀子.. 但是菜市場每天豬眅魚眅都需要用刀子.. 連賣水果都要用刀子. 如果會被抓他們早就會被抓去關 I doubt anyone would say anything about it, but let's just drop it.
Last edited by Zhanglang on Mon May 07, 2007 11:51 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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TaoyuanSteve
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1028
Location: Taoyuan
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 6:06 am Post subject: |
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So people selling fruit and cutting pork and fish in traditional markets will need knives? It won't excuse an expat carrying a knife under his clothes. You going to use that as an excuse with the cops? Show them your work permit for selling fruit, then.
Trust me a concealed weapon will land you in trouble with the cops, double so if you use it.
Sorry the thread got shut on us. All in good fun, though. Welcome to Taiwan.  |
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