Job Discussion Forums

[sbballer33]

I�ve been traveling for over two years in Asia now after finishing grad school, been to China a couple times in the past, but I�m thinking I�d like to live there for a year and get a job. I�ve got a Ph.D. in semiconductor related engineering, and good list of publications, but not much in the way of teaching experience, just taught an undergrad materials engineering discussion section.

I was thinking I could do something like teaching English for technical presentations (which I know is a skill that the Chinese who go to grad school in the US or international conferences desperately need whether they know that or not is another question). Also I could help to edit papers for submissions to international journals. Anybody know what types of jobs I could get, with my background? How much they would pay?

As it would be more about living in China than just making money, I�d probably prefer to live in either Chengdu or Kunming but I could also do Beijing. If I just wanted money I�d get a more directly related job in the US, Japan, or Europe. Anyone know any schools/institutions in those areas that might be worth approaching?

[suanlatudousi]

You're Indian ?

What exactly is your speaking English like ?

My experience with western Asian's English is not something I care to encounter again.

English teaching is usually (but not always) dedicated to us white-folk

[sbballer33]

No I'm an American (with a "white face") currently in India. Grad school at University of California Santa Barbara.

[Herman Blume]

SB,
Have you considered working for an American semiconductor company in that has fabs or design divisions in China? I am pretty sure Motorola has at least 1 fab in China (no idea where though). Some of the Taiwanese semiconductor companies might have fabs on the mainland.

I will be moving to China soon as well and come from a semiconductor background (functional/feature testing) and will be starting in a language mill since I do not have a 4 year degree.

Just seems that with your education level you could do a hell of a lot better than what I am getting ready to do

[brsmith15]

Hey balls,

My thought would be to apply to the big unis here: Tsinghua, Peking U, Fudan, Jiao Tong. I think they'd take you in a minute. The pay would be good although there probably wouldn't be any benefits.

I worked for Shanghai U of Finance and, being a business guy, taught accounting. Great job. High pay (by Chinese standards), Terrific boss and wonderful offfice support. No bennies tho, and wasn't paid when I wasn't working - - like during the summer and spring break.

[bradley]

I recommend just sending out your CV and seeing what you get offered.

[Eyrick3]

You do indeed seem to have a specific set of skills that, if utilized properly, would be put to good use.

Unfortunately, regardless of where you go, you're most likely to end up teaching students with little to no English-level.

I would be very surprised if any university could fill a full-time schedule with both A) advanced level students who could understand what a semiconductor is, and, B) people who need to speak about semiconductors in English on a semi-regular basis.

You'll certainly get a lot of hits just because of the Ph. D alone. If you don't have any teaching experience, you may want to consider a TESOL program to get your feet wet. Experience plus your Ph. D will get you entry to big universities like Qinghua, where the chances that your skill set will be utilized the most are highest.

[Hansen]

OP,

Wondering about the national security implications of a person with your expertise teaching in China.

The Chinese are not our friends, regardless of what they might tell you. The recent incident off Hainan illustrates that.