Job Discussion Forums

[imagbe1]

I have a degree in engineering (US). I have been teaching in the Middle East for 5 years but slowly becoming discouraged. Anyone have some advice about getting into IT/engineering here in the UAE?

[veiledsentiments]

I'm not sure if an English teaching board has many people who are familiar with the ins and outs of getting an IT/Engineering job in the UAE.

The problem with IT is that the majority of jobs are filled by graduates from the sub-continent, who will accept lower salaries. Most of the engineering professors that I met around the Gulf were from various Arab countries which turn out thousands of engineering graduates each year which suggest that many of the engineers are likely Arab. Speaking Arabic may be a job requirement?? (or Urdu or Hindi?)

The American or British trained engineers that I met had been hired from their home countries by Western companies (usually oil companies, of course). These men were usually older and had worked in engineering all their lives.

The local papers may have some ads. Also, search the web for jobs and beware of employment agencies as most are scams. As soon as they ask for money to even take your CV, you know that you will probably never hear from them again.

Your personal information is slim, but you might be better off getting a more advanced degree in Engineering/IT to be able to move up the academic ladder or an MA in TEFL if that is what you are teaching.

Good Luck...

VS

[Afra]

HCT teaches both IT and engineering. You don't say what your specialisation is but there may be something to suit you as mechanical, electrical and civil engineering are taught in various colleges as well as mechatronics. Teachers are employed from many countries.

[MrScaramanga]

Right on, Afra. HCT IT faculty members and support staff are from all over, and speaking Arabic is definitely not a requirement. Speaking English is!
MrS

[veiledsentiments]

I read his message that he wants to get out of teaching and into actual IT or Engineering work.

I agree that he would probably be better off trying to get into teaching it with a place like HCT. The universities require PhDs in the fields though... what about HCT? Do they have IT and engineering teachers with only a BA? (our OP doesn't say how advanced or not his degree is...)

VS

[MrScaramanga]

HCT does not require a PhD to teach IT. Also, I meant that OP could work at HCT as IT tech/engineer, not teacher necessarily.
MrS

[Afra]

Some teachers have BA/BSc but there has been pressure from time to time to get MAs. There are also some with PHDs. If they want you . . .

[imagbe1]

Thanks for the responses. I have a BS degree in electrical engineering. I have considered getting a masters degree but I have ruled out a masters in education due to the time involved and expense in attaining it. Plus, where would I use it? In schools that will prevent from implementing what I have learned?

[Afra]

A number of HCT teachers are doing or have done Ed Tech Masters by distance from one of the Australian universities - South Queensland, maybe.

[veiledsentiments]

[veralynn]

The Petroluem Institute has an Electrical Engineering program.
Nearly all the lecturers there hold PhDs, but not all, so maybe worth a try.

[Iamherebecause]

Petroleum Institute also employs techies to do pure techie stuff - I know one (former TEFLer, natch, who wanted out of the classroom)