Job Discussion Forums

akmassager · Joined: 30 Nov 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Juneau, Alaska

I am thinking of going to Chengdu. I have a friend working there who says he's working 9 hours a week and that's covering rent, food, going out, etc. I have a hard time believing that. (He's been there, teaching, since '05)
I was wondering, would it be better to show up in Chengdu and have my friend help me around, or would it be better to go through an agency and get a job that way? (Not necesssariy in Chengdu)
Further info: 45, white, male, have teaching experience (taught ESL in Buenos Aires for total around 9 month, taught Spanish in the US for 1.5 years), BUT NO ED DEGREE, NO CELTA/TOEFL. I have a BA from the University of Toronto though I'm a Yank... and oh yeah, my job as a massage therapist has evaporated (at least it has for the last few months), I'm short on cash, and I need to do something.... plus I really benefit from acupuncture and massage.. which for economic reasons can't afford any longer in the US. I've considered Taiwan but it seems like there's a lot more jobs available all the time in China.
Any response appreciated.

suanlatudousi · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 384

My contract is for 14 hours, work only 2/3 that, and I save 60+ % of my monthly salary - it's easy to believe (depending on your life style).

Arrange a job via email, chatting, late night on phone "interview" maybe, and even use video-web-cam .... arrange the job properly and legally so on your arrival you're not one of the many incapable rats who think the law doesn't apply to them.

Arrange it in advance - don't use any type of agency (recruiter) .... you can get more on your own.

evaforsure · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1217

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

I fall into the visit your friend camp. It seems you have never been to China, so a visit would help you determine if you like it or think you could grow to like it. Also your friend may help in finding a good employer, and may be able to smell a bad one sooner than you. If you decide to stay and have a job offer from a decent school, you should be able to make a visa run to Hong Kong (see other threads in this forum) to re-enter on a Z (work) visa.

Yes your friend is no doubt telling the truth about work hours and living conditions. Compared to South America, it really must seem like retirement. Your school will house you (usually in a decent apartment to yourself), do most of the leg work for your working papers and baby you to death. Sometimes you have to set limits, i.e. "I can wipe myself, thank you." Once you've settled it shouldn't be hard to find good, but very cheap legitimate massage. I'm not sure about acupuncture but I imagine that shouldn't be a problem in most areas either.

On the other hand, if you are on your last dollar, I wouldn't recommend an extended vacation and you should concentrate on employment. In fact, DON'T come to China without an exit strategy (and emergency money!) in case you get a dodgy employer. Read these forums for true horror stories and a fair amount of whining.

Oh and your credentials will be fine in some places where others want the Celta/Tesol/Tefl certificate and two years of experience. A BA in any subject is fine. You may want to consider getting the certificate since it takes a month. I imagine the online certificate programs are acceptable in China, but don't know for a fact. Good luck.

Sonnibarger · Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 320 Location: Wuhan

9 hours work = good quality of life in China. I read on a different thread that you will fund your trip on credit cards... wont comment if thats a good or bad idea.. i will tell you to inform the companies prior to leaving or you may find a hold put on them. I would either recommend visiting first and finding a job that way or having your friend put you in contact with some good school before you leave.. if he has been there for the last few years he should have a good idea about which school to avoid. about the acupuncture.. they are located all over the place and cheap as hell.. i would suggest finding one in a good sized hospital.. makes sure they use new needles everytime.. they also usually throw in a massage too..

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Here's what I did several years ago. Not sure if it will work now.

Find a job with a legitimate school online. Try the Dave's job board or China Tefl. If you have a knowledge of medical English and get a TESOL type certificate, you can try for a medical university or nursing school. Make a big issue about being to teach medical English. That's a plus.

Having A TESOL of some kind is a plus.

Make sure you have your papers in hand for a Z visa before arriving. Once you get a job, stay with it. Get some experience as a teacher in China before job hopping.

I completed a massage school program here. Even got a certificate. It's fake without a number because I couldn't take the written test. Chinese massage and chiropractic are totally incredible. I do taiji and have had some serious back pain. An adjustment or good massage is around 20 RMB now. It was 12 when I arrived.

A massage background can really be complimented by studies in China. I have a friend who has a small massage business and have helped her give massage and done moxibustion on patients of hers. I avoid acupuncture but acupressure is very effective.

Sorry to mention this, but this is not a good place to be if you are broke. Every FT should have enough money for a quick ticket out of this place. Especially if you are going to be job hunting, you should have money enough to carry you for a few months.

I'm sure others have a different view and perhaps a better one. I had no friend here when I started looking.

Kibbs · Joined: 20 Nov 2008 Posts: 64

No degree, you will not be able to work in China legally. If you go, you will either work on a F visa which needs to be renewed frequently, and/or someone at some juncture will invent a diploma for you as that is the only way for you to obtain a z "work" visa. If you are okay with that, then by all means continue perpetuating a fraud on the Chinese people.

akmassager · Joined: 30 Nov 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Juneau, Alaska

I'm the OP. I should have mentioned that I have a BA from the University of Toronto. I thought I mentioned that.
I am looking into getting a job online, but would probably feel more comfortable going to Chengdu and looking for a job on the ground with my friend, then taking a visa run.
I understand about not having enough money and needing to get out of a place. (Actually, I'm almost in that situation myself right now! Imagine trying to get out of a place that you could ONLY get out of by boat or air... well, I'm in that position RIGHT NOW)
I have applied for graduate school in education, so if it doesn't work out, I can go back in short order... of course taking a mighty hit on my credit card.
I should also mention that I haven't been to China and don't know Chinese. I have however, been to India, and have experienced India. I can't imagine China to be more chaotic than India. And I loved India, for what it's worth.
Thanks for all your input,
Akmassager

linzbc · Joined: 04 Feb 2009 Posts: 29 Location: Arlington, VA, US

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

linz,

Normally, premed training does not provide one with medical terminology, unless you took specific courses in that subject.

I don't know a lot about it. I did meet one RN with a master's degree who was teaching medical English at a medical school. It is a specialized area, usually part of a package that includes the usual nonsensical oral English courses.

There are some people who hold a Foreign Expert Certificate who are truly experts. Probably most of these people are not in teaching positions but working as consultants, engineers, and so forth.

A couple of classes in medical terminology plus training and work experience in the healthcare field are not worth much here. I was recently denied a raise simply because "He's an American and they brought a financial crisis on the rest of the world."