Job Discussion Forums

[utopiaexpress]

After getting my TESL in Costa Rica (there for 2 months), I bought a one way ticket to Buenos Aires. Here I am, trying to figure out what the hell am I doing here. It's not the best time to look for a teaching position, but when is? I have a BS in biz mgmt...how much does that really matter here? Has anyone actually made it work here and if so, are the border runs really only as easy as having lunch in Uruguay and coming back for another 3 months. I'm an Americana...

[naturegirl321]

There-s an Argentina forum, try posting there, they-ll probably be able to help you out.

In General, in South America, the summer is in Jan and Feb, pay is usually around 5 USD an hour, privates are much better, maybe up to 20 USD an hour. People often work illegally, though probably not the best situation, but if you-re only going to do it for a few months, it might be ok.

Also, the fact that you-re a native speaker will probably matter the most, as far as language institute jobs go.

[tedkarma]

I've got an MBA and some good int'l biz experience.

You CAN make your degree work for you.

Some of my most enjoyable teaching experiences since 1992 has been teaching business people. From accountants to int'l execs - at banks, int'l pharma corps - trade councils and on and on - it can be a lot of fun and if you already know the vocabulary and the issues they face on a day-to-day basis you are ahead of the game. Far ahead of the art major who might think business or even accountants are boring. Try a good discussion on corruption with accountants some time - they know where and how to hide the money . . .

Finding those good corporate classes though - is not always easy. Most of mine have come about through school contacts or via agents. Both worked out fine.

[naturegirl321]

He's right, connections aregold. Funny you should mention Art degrees. I have an Art one and Business, it was a compromise. I wanted to study Art, my dad paid for my degree and he wanted me to study Business, so I ended up with both.

[utopiaexpress]

I have heard that biz students were the way to go here, being the 'commercial center' that it is. As far as contacts, that will be harder. So far, my experience meeting the 'locals' have been disastrous. Because I am a chica, the chicos here just wanna stick their tongues down my throat (yeah, they've actually tried! So what kind of agency would provide a good level of contacts?

[tedkarma]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[naturegirl321]

I also wanted to be an English teacher, as corny as that sounds. I went to a teacher-and wanted to declare my major as secondary ed English, by my dad told me to wait a semester. I found out about all the red tape at my school and decided not to. Thanks to doing Liberal Arts, I got to spend a semester in California, WDC, and Spain, and only four semesters on campus. Ironically my internships in WDC were both in Arts.

Though after five years, I'm looking to get more into Admin whether it be Art or TEFL.

[utopiaexpress]

Naturegirl, how long have u been a teacher?

[naturegirl321]

Five years. But I guess I've been working a lot.l People always guess I'm 30 , not a good thing when you just turned 25

[utopiaexpress]

Naturegirl, Have u just worked in Korea & Peru? What other places, where did u like best (country & job) and how easy was it for you to get ur 1st gig? I can't imagine going back to the 'killing me softly' 9-5....

[naturegirl321]

Taught in China 1.5 years, Peru 3.5 years and Korea only 3 months, then I go home to Peru. It's hard to compare. China, I liked the language and the culture, pay is low. Peru, it's been stressful the past year which is why I'm here in Korea. Korea, little work, high pay, can get monotonous.

However, Peru is home, so I'll have to get used to it.

First job. I studied with the Boland school, they were opening a school in China, so I accepted the position.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

So you've been out of the US for five years, and just turned 25, and have a double major in business and art? You graduated with a four year degree at 20?

I turned 20 part way through my first year of university (we had up to grade 13 in high school then).

[naturegirl321]

I'm a genius Not really, just found loopholes. My second year of HS I decided to be homeschooled because I was sick and during that time I never saw friends, so I worked a lot and was able to finish two years in one. Then I went back for my last year and it was my last. So three years of HS.

Then I CLEP tested out of a semester of uni, did summer school for two uni summers and some of the uni credits I took while I was homeschooled ALSO transferred. ANd eneded up taking six classes instead of five for a couple of semesters. So I finished a double major and minor in 3.5 years.

And I've been out of the US for six years, because my last year of uni, I was in Spain and Scotland and then went back for three months to finish and graduate.

Loopholes

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

OMG!

You're the loophole queen! I spent 5 years and came out with a four year degree (switched universities, only lost 1.5 courses, but had a bunch of courses that did nothing for my degree but filled electives and then some), and in the eleven years since then, have been in full time post seconday school for three years (worked a year, went to school for a year, worked a few years, went to school for two years, came to Japan been here ever since).

With a five year high school system (which is what I had) I have been in school between high school and post secondary for double the length of time as you. Now I feel stoopid!!!! Or at least old!!!!! (But then, you wrote that people consistantly mistake you for 30 when you're 25, and they consistanty mistake me for 25 when I'm 35 Won't help me when I still run out of pre-retirement years, though! )