Job Discussion Forums

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[lmbeharry]

I'll delete the word "moody" and do a re-edit of the personal language. By the way, the reason I wrote the descriptions of the family is for passport issues. I want to make sure that a prospective is aware that there may be visa difficulties. (For instance, it's hard for Mongolians to enter Korea, I don't know about KSA.) The second reason I cite the family is for housing accommodations. I want to make sure that prospective employers are aware that I am not traveling alone. I have gone through successful interviews in the past, and failed to secure the position because the employer was not aware of my family.

Regarding "capital flows" that's the research interest wherein I could be most productive. Bear in mind that after a century of producing petroleum, KSA and KSA businesses have invested huge amounts of capital in real estate worldwide, and KSA companies have huge multi-trillion dollar investments in closely-held and publicly traded companies throughout the world. International capital flows impact Saudi Arabia every second of every day.

I do understand that KFUPM is particularly devoted to science and engineering related to the petrochemical industry. But, as I said, my interests are complexity (i.e. chaos mathematics and systems theory) and capital. So, my implication was this: if KFUPM or another university picks me up, I could grow this discipline within their University. In fact, this is one of the hot, new topics in the social sciences (pioneered by a guy named Lars Erik Cederman at Harvard), which investigates the fundamental mathematical and statistical relationships within and among human systems and how these relationships follow physical laws that define naturally occurring systems (including earthquakes, tornadoes, supernovae, and population crashes, etc.) I'd like to do some research into financial systems.

Just yesterday I read that IMF is predicting a world-wide recession for the next calendar year. And IMF has stated that the U.S. sub-prime mortgage crash has resulted in a Trillion dollars worth of loss. Now think about this. Where did the money go? Well-it's a capital flow. This capital fled the U.S. and is making its way somewhere. Financial capital does not like to hide under the bed (or in the mattress). Financial capital prefers to produce more financial capital through industry, construction, education, and marketing. So, I would like to complete research and create some models that may, in the future, alleviate these types of disruptions to the world financial system. I think about the millions that will suffer as economies go through their pangs during this year's recession. And I also think about the devaluation of the U.S. dollar, as the U.S. will surely monetize the losses in the mortgage market. If IMF predicts a loss of one Trillion dollars, I suspect that the U.S. will print some of those losses through U.S. Federal Reserve bank notes (i.e. U.S. dollars). That irritates me too. Further devaluations of U.S. currency. (Anyway, I'm not going to pen my dissertation here.)

Regarding the posts of my personal info in these threads, I do this for two reasons: 1) I want to warn others of certain of the places wherein I have worked; and 2) I need to make sure that prospective employers understand my thought process. Basically, I think my threads show that I have principles and that I stand up for myself. I basically do not want to get into a situation where people do not understand where I am coming from: I don't play games; I tend to overwork; I am not a party animal; I am a no-sh#t guy. And overall, the stupidity of the world often gets to me (still). These postings reflect my passion for education and for delivery of service. These postings show that irresponsible Directors and unresponsive teaching methodologies irritate me (to no end, it seems). I'd rather not be irritated, actually. I'd rather be sitting in a quiet library area happily crunching numbers, producing graphs, and adding new insights and potential solutions to financial and economic problems.

And I also direct people to my website in order that they review me. Strangely, no one ever goes there. My website includes a list of my favorite things. I planned it so that prospective employers could get a clue to my personality before hiring me. But no one ever goes there. Don't you guys check out the web for a school and check reviews (like Dave's) before making a final decision?

Oh - and my reasoning behind "junior faculty positions" is this: I do not have a PhD and I have not yet published in the journals. I've wasted too much time in America working in corporations trying to make a life. So I doubt that any Uni will take me on for a senior role - until I earn a PhD (which, considering my experience and knowledge base, will take one year or less) and publish four or five articles. I don't even bother asking for senior positions.

I don't have a lot of patience for people who waste company resources. See my post about Hartford Institute of Mongolia (a Raffles Education Corp company). I worked there for six months and tried to correct the teaching anomalies through meetings and emails to corporate. They did nothing. In fact, they ultimately terminated me. I tried to reason with them, I wrote diplomatic emails, then more severe ones. Then they terminated me. Apparently, they believed that the bottom line came before productive trade with the community and the students. It STILL surprises me that businesses do not recognize how much richer they can become if they actually provide the service stated in their missions. Think about the mass of people that would come running to a Uni that actually produced great students and great leaders. I cite the example of my Alma Mater, Johns Hopkins. Everyone wants to go there because the education is sooooooo good. But it takes time. Anyway, back to point, I don't have a lot of patience with people who don't do their job. Hartford Institute of Mongolia (a Raffles Education Corp company) is a great example. It looks like my patience lasts for about six months (or maybe 3 years, if you consider my experience in Mongolia in total. Personally, I think 3 years is very, very patient - verging on a waste of three years of my life...).

Quote:
With young people I am thoughtful, and ALWAYS mindful of my responsibility to cultivate,..

Ok, this with young people. What about older people, who might be part-time students? How do you handle them?

About this remark. My approach instructing older people depends on their knowledge base, their experience, and their openness. My favorite film is "The Matrix." I first saw it in November, 1999 - just one month before completing my MBA. I saw its philosophical implications right off, and I said: WOW! But, the truth is, most "older people" are blinded by "the matrix" (that is years and years of programming brought about through the evolution of the current world system - so basically 2,000 years of what I consider to be modern world history). So with younger people I try to discern the extent to which I can cultivate. Older people are more problematic because I do not wish to shatter their illusions. I know how painful it can be, as I suffered the trauma when I left law school (but that's another story). In the Matrix, Morpheus says: We never free "a mind" after it has reached a certain age. (He goes on to say that it's painful and the mind has difficulty adjusting.) Basically, I can teach "older people," I can teach Uni students; I can teach anyone. But (and all good teachers understand this) I teach to the extent that students can absorb. The best way to teach, actually, is to guide, and permit the student to figure it out. That way they will rarely (if ever) traumatize themselves. The TRUTH is painful.

Anyway, I'll edit back the letter today. I've got a chat with Korea's Air Force for English Instructor this a.m. I may take it just to get back into Korea. I and the family need a salary and some stability right now.

[scot47]

If you have a short fuse - do not come to KSA. If you cannot keep quiet about things that annoy you - do not come to KSA. If you want everything to be done your way - do not come to KSA.

[Stephen Jones]

Have you checked with the website whether you are supposed to fill in an online application?

There is no trouble with Mongolian visas; as I said before a colleague at Jubail has a Mongolian wife. On the other hand they probably won't recognize your stepson as your child, so you may find yourself out of pocket paying for schooling and airfares.

[Stephen Jones]

[lmbeharry]

About

How do you know they haven't looked at it and decided not to hire you?

Right on. That's fine. That's why I have the website. It saves everyone some grief.

Best regards.

lmb

[lmbeharry]

About : How do you know they haven't looked at it and decided not to hire you?

Right on! (Excuse the hippy lingo. That's my default prep school accent.) That's fine. That's why I have the website. It saves everyone some grief.

About: If you have a short fuse - do not come to KSA. If you cannot keep quiet about things that annoy you - do not come to KSA. If you want everything to be done your way - do not come to KSA.


In my view, I have exemplary patience and ability to work with others. Six months of negotiation with Hartford Institute of Mongolia (a Raffles Education Corp company) to help them produce more and earn sustained legal and ethical returns, and 3 years in Mongolia and 13 years in Corporate America. I'd say that's pretty damn patient. Maybe I'm wrong???? Short Fuse???? Six months at Hartford Institute of Mongolia (a Raffles Education Corp Company) is a short fuse????? In my view, I wasted the first 15 years of my adult productive life in U.S. Then, I spent two productive years in Korea, and apparently 3 non-productive years in Mongolia. Life is tooooooooooooo short to putz (excuse the Yiddish) around.

My exact words when Hartford Institute of Mongolia (a Raffles Education Corp Company) hired me last July (to the Director): Stay out of my way and let me produce for you.

I am a Randian (Ayn Rand) Objectivist. John Galt shows me the way. He does not enslave himself to the system. Rather, he aims to release individuals to create a better world. Now, certainly, not everyone has the intellect or the ability to be an individual. I penned the following for my Facebook profile: When we are truly selfish, we realize that the strength of the Commonwealth is our own strength!

Like I have said before. I loathe non-productive assets.

Best regards. I am sorry for the apparently terse invective. But these are raw thoughts as though we are having a conversation.

lmb

[Mia Xanthi]

[lmbeharry]

I guess I'm too smart (like CdB told me 16 years ago) - and therefore doomed to be in low life, entry-level positions for the duration of my life. (Oh - that I had been born a wealthy British nobleman who had acquired an Oxford education in the 19th Century...)

Ya know, I once fantasized that higher education was about pushing forward the boundaries and extending human knowledge through talent, wisdom, and moxy. There goes another childhood illusion... That's ok, though. I guess I should have dropped that fallacy long ago.

My closing verbal remarks when I left Hartford Institute on January 11 (as I left with my scanner, notes, and personal effects): The stupidity of people never ceases to amaze me... (stated quietly, but within earshot of the corporate stooges).

Maybe, after all, I truly have no people skills. But the poor whom I served in Arlington, VA and Washington, DC would probably disagree. As would the many, many students with whom I worked over the years (pre-school and up). It seems to me that it's just incompetent Directors who have a problem with me. Teachers commend me (except for the Dean at Ulsan); principals commend me, parents commend me. So who's wrong here?

About: Besides, if you "loathe non-productive assets" you are not going to be able to tolerate Saudi male students or administrators. For that matter, you had better stay out of the Gulf all together.

Regarding students in general. Teaching requires adaptability. If students don't/can't learn (and excuse my bluntness) 90% of the time (or more), it's the teacher's fault. (And I am so sick and tired of teachers complaining about incompetent students!) Believe me, I've taught a range of students - from the extremely talented to the totally insecure. (I can teach Einstein's Theory of Relativity in about five minutes to a non-math major, with no prior knowledge of physics. Just give me a white-board, a sheet of elastic cloth, and two ball bearings...) It's about openness and creativity. Administrators - well, I might have a problem with them (especially if they are closed-minded corporate stooges). Dammit - education is about EDUCATION - not about bureaucracy and politics and "we have always done it this way."

I'm gonna make a decision within the next two weeks that will effect my next two years. Man, I know that politics is pervasive in every human endeavor. I just don't understand why so many administrators lie. I have had so many contracts broken by the other party. And I can't sue for lack of time, lack of money, and lack of desire to force the issue. Maybe someday I'll be able to find that gig where I can produce without people getting in my way - and still have the time to think, write, and help my fellow man, too.

Guys, I am not a people person - that's for sure. I am no salesman. But I am a damn good teacher, with a terrific mind, and an inquisitive, child-like spirit that verges on innocence. You're right about a lot of things. I question authorities that don't perform. I don't look for a fight, but I get involved if students are jeopardized, or if the authorities threaten me. But, having said that, I am no politician. I am the quintessential bean counter. I am the back office guy who oils the gears to make sure the machine is in tip top working order while the front office greets the clients. I venture into the front office only occasionally (when called upon). And I really don't like it. (That's why I have a wife. She complements me. She's the amiable one.) Like I said, I prefer to be in a quiet library area reading books, researching, writing, and contributing to the scholarship. And after work, I'd like to visit with my family, take in a concert, attend the ballet, bake brownies with my wife and daughter, ride a motorcycle through the countryside, climb a mountain, eat sushi, etc.

And about Authority, Sun Tzu said: The general in the field is not bound by the order of the Sovereign. (I always thought that the statement was obvious. This concept had been part of my psyche since I was a teen, and maybe before.)

This process is what I imagine a thesis defense would resemble. Thank god it's through writing. I (still) don't have the gumption to stand up and defend myself to a board of fair-skinned people. (That's another reason why I have no desire to return to the U.S.) It's not your fault. It's just my history. (I'm not looking for sympathy here. I'm just stating a fact.) Anyway, bottom line is, Entities are OFTEN wrong. And I do not believe it is my role to fit what an employer desires. Rather, I believe it is my role to fill what an employer needs. Desires? They come and go. Quality people are rare.

[lmbeharry]

This little guy on the left is my firstborn son. I figure he's a million-dollar baby because he was produced after my parents (and the United States society) spent a bunch on my education and socialization. His name is Arslan (lion) and I am extraordinarily proud of him (now just over 5 months). I had wanted kids since I was a teen. And I had wanted to be married since my early 20's. So Arslan is very special to me. As is my daughter Oyushka, whom I officially adopted this past December.

[lall]

Dear lmbeharry,

Why don't you give India a shot?

Try some of the business schools like the Indian Institute of Management, (IIM, Ahmedabad gets top rating among the 5 IIMs), Xavier Labour Relations Institute or Institute of Rural Management, Anand. These are prestigious institutions in India. Also, try the Goa Institute of Management.

A 'google" should bring up the web sites.

Regards,

Lall.

[lmbeharry]

Thanks Lall. I may look into India. But I am not sure that the climate will suit me. Most of India is overly humid (heat I can take), and I'm not sure I would enjoy monsoon rains either. Heretofore I've been shying away from India.

I applied to one job in China (at a prep school), but I'd really like to get back to a Uni where I can do some hardcore research. I interviewed this morning with Korean Air Force. They'll let me know by early next week. The pay is mediocre, but the environment will be stable and disciplined. And after a year or two, I might have success leveraging relationships with some officers to get a good Uni post in Korea - and work on a doctorate too. I think Korea or a good Uni in China would be best for me in Asia.

I have been attracted to the Gulf for the adventure of it, but also because I had (perhaps) a misconception that the salaries would be better. In sum, I thought I could kill four birds with one stone: 1) get out of Mongolia; 2) teach business and finance; 3) save some money; 4) study towards a doctorate.

I'm pretty sure salaries in India would be a fraction of Korea's offerings (even for teaching English), and even a smaller fraction than the offerings in the Gulf countries.

Confirmed: Uni salary in India is way way small (even considering the low cost of living).

[lall]

You could also try the corporate sector in India. Chief Financial Officers are in much demand. Here's an excerpt from the Times of India:

[sheikh radlinrol]

Imbeharry seems to enjoy talking about himself. Probably not a good quality in a teacher.

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