Job Discussion Forums

[struelle]

I came across an interesting article on Usnet about how too much personal choice can limit decision making. The gist of the article is that when too many options are available, the search costs are long and complex to make the best possible choice. Not only that, but we feel regret afterwards for the options foregone.

http://tinyurl.com/34w85

I figure this certainly applies to TEFL. Posts like 'Korea, China, Japan, Which country should I go to teach?' sum it up well. With a CELTA and a degree, the options are virtually limitless. I know I'm lucky when I must continually turn down offers in Shanghai alone due to lack of time. Also I have the freedom to pick up and choose another country or do a Masters at will.

But such abundant choice also makes it damn hard to make a decision.

For me at least, when I have too many choices I act like there's too few choices. I've felt regret for two contracts I signed in '02 and '03 respectively. The jobs weren't exactly bad, but after talking to friends and reading posts here, I felt I could've done better. Not only that, but when it comes down to contract signing time, my gut reaction is to rush into a job and end the uncertainty of choice.

This doesn't make for the best choices, which compounds the regret.

Am I alone on this, or do others have similar experiences?

Steve

[Ulyanov]

I know what you mean, I'm still trying to decide where to go for my first job, except I don't even have it narrowed down a region yet; I'm still looking at a half dozen countries or so all over the world. Good thing I still have a year before I leave.

[foster]

I tend to agree with that assessment. If you are limited in choice, you often feel like you were gyped, but at the same time, maybe those 2 choices were better than the multitude that are available. In Japan, I had many choices and chose to stay with NOVA. Sadly, we can all imagine how fun that was.

When I decided to leave Japan, my goal was Hong Kong...one and only. I am here now and am thrilled that I set my sights here and didn't go looking elsewhere.

I run into that problem when planning vacations. There are so many choices of places to go, but where will I go? One good thing there is that the budget will ultimately help me decide!!!

Our students were recently given a essay topic from a company to write about PRAISE: in school or at home. It said nothing more than that. When I called for clarification, she said anything was ok that they were mostly concerned about grammar and writing style. I said the topic was too vague and my students were LOST....they had no clue where to start and what to write about.

Yes, I agree. Too many choices can spoil it for you. Too few is sometimes not fair, but often better.

[Marcoregano]

I agree that too much choice, in relation to anything, can be mind-boggling and far from helpful. In regard to deciding what country to go to next I think it's necessary to identify a few key aims, otherwise it can be a real headache. Even then, you don't know for sure how a country will work out until you do it, and if it screws up, you'll always wish you'd made a different choice. C'est la vie I guess.

[Dr.J]

I feel that way about partners. I wish I was in an arranged marriage as that would take the stress out of deciding what kind of person you actually want to be with. -uh, same with jobs.

But, I have realised that it's best to determine your own priorities before you start looking at choices, as the looking itself will cloud up your head.

[denise]

I agree. Here's a non-teaching example:

I am vegan. When I'm in San Francisco, at one of their vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants, I can stare at the menu for hours and still not decide what I want. Quite a waste of time. In Japan, my choices are considerably more limited. Last night, I went out with a friend, found the one thing on the menu that I could eat, and said, "I'm ready." Much easier.

Regarding jobs--my first offer in Japan came a couple of months before I was really ready to decide. I had a couple other options in the working, but hadn't heard back from them. I knew that I didn't want to accept the first offer, but the thought of turning something down without having something else as a back-up kinda freaked me out. Thankfully, I went with my gut feeling and said no, and a couple of months later I got two more offers and had to actually choose between them. And I am sure that I made the right choice.

d

[Glenski]

For what it's worth, when I started out in this business, I'd already selected Japan as my target country. I spent 6 months browsing these forums and collecting information from them as well as from employer home pages. I put it all together in as organized a manner as possible so as to make comparing easier. It was a bit of a task, but it sure made my options clear.

[Gordon]

I had a difficult time choosing between Masters courses. I had a list of 20 schools and had a difficult time narrowing it down. After a year of searching, I found the right one, I think..... maybe.....could be....

Strange how sometimes we ask someone for advice on a matter, but really we just want them to tell us what to do. I like it when doors close, so then I don't have to think "what if..."

[Roger]

Took that Chinese girl out for a meal, leaving the choice of where to dine to her.
"McDonald's? How about McDonald's?" she asked.
"You want to feast on bugers again? Well, if you want to..."

After a while, the McDonald's was not quite in sight: "Maybe we should go to that Muslim restuarant behind the Fuhua Hotel..."
Me: "That's fine with me!"
Another fifty meters. She: "I am not sure...should we go to KFC? I like chicken nuggets...'
Me: "Chicken nuggets taste good!"
Crossed the road and were within 20 meters of the KFC. She: "I don't know...too many people...I don't like KFC...Maybe the Muslim restaurant is better after all..."

Finally, I had to make a decision.
We went to none of those establishments, and still had a good meal!

[Laura C]

It's really interesting what Denise says about her gut feeling saying not to take that job which came before she was 'ready to decide'. I have been in the same situation.

Do people think that difficulty making a decision can indicate a subconscious resistance to the plan of action??

And if we feel unease about something, how do we know whether it is because our instincts are warning us to stay away, or whether it is just fear of the unknown? I'm genuinely interested to know if anyone has any tips/strategies for exploring how we assess our true motivations for doing things. How do people normally make big decisions?


L

[Gordon]

[pirateinpanama]

In my mind, I've "traveled" to many regions of the world. There was Japan, Taiwan, Italy, and of course I visualized numerous $ signs when thinking about certain areas of the Middle East. However, it seems that my first TEFL job may very well be my last.
Opportunities opened up as I remained on this job in Latin America. I gained seniority over the past few years and have been permitted to take on a full load. In that time this university was taken over by a company which owns a string of private universities worldwide. Thus, more opportunities have surfaced providing I remain with 'the company.' Spain, France, Mexico,Chile,etc. are now more of a reality than a "mind trip."
As I approach 60, I suppose it's best that I remain where I am. If I get tired of this country (which I often do), at least there's the possibility of a temporary transfer to another campus.
All 'n all; so far so good...maybe