Job Discussion Forums

shantaram · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 42 Location: Montreal, Quebec

Hi,

I'm currently living and working in Montreal at a private school, casually. I now have a green-card and am planning to move to the US. Basically, I hold a CELTA and have more than two years experience teaching ESL. I'm thinking of heading down to New Orleans. I have a New Zealand accent (not that it should matter, but evidently to some people it does). What advice do posters here have for me? I'm a bit worried about the financial situation in the USA right now.

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

as you state your qualifications (without degree and state certification - teaching license by a US state), i doubt you'll earn enough to support yourself -
expect to be able to afford shoddy or shared accomodation and car/insurance will probably be too expensive for you - public transportation is not a feasible option in most areas of the usa for daily commute
you will be working realy long hours at 12-25 usd an hour to support yourself -
why do you want to work in the USA ? to eventually get citizenship?
good luck

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Is teaching ESL your only means of income?

If so, you need to understand that even when the US economy was booming, there are very few decent ESL jobs with a livable wage and benefits even if you have an MA and many years of experience.

Another crucial detail is that you will have no health insurance... ESL teachers at your level would have to be in shared housing and don't ever get sick.

I would stay in Canada if you can. (unless you have an employed spouse who can provide housing and insurance... ESL in the US is mostly part-time work for housewives...)

VS

shantaram · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 42 Location: Montreal, Quebec

I have a degree.

shantaram · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 42 Location: Montreal, Quebec

How about Puerto Rico?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

shantaram · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 42 Location: Montreal, Quebec

Thanks for that link VS. I was just clarifying that I have a degree for the poster who thought I didn't have one.

So where are the jobs in the US (i.e. in what industry/sector)? Any information is appreciated. As you might be able to imagine it is a little frustrating getting such a good opportunity right in the middle of a massive recession.

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

healthcare always needs people BUT you don't have the qualifications
you didn't answer my question, do you seek to use your green card to apply for citizenship? or do you just want to legally live and work in the USofA?

shantaram · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 42 Location: Montreal, Quebec

I want to legally live and work in the USA, but I can't say how I will feel in 5 years time. Citizenship is an option.

Symphany · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 117

Shantaram

Are you looking to go down there first and then look for work? It might be easier looking for work where you are. Since you have the legal means to work over there that is something you can confirm with potential employers. Are you looking for teaching work specifically or are you open to other areas? You might want to do a search on a job search engine like monster.com. Just a question.

shantaram · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 42 Location: Montreal, Quebec

Symphany,

I'll 'activate' my visa first and then start looking for jobs, perhaps in the next few months. I have until February to activate my visa. Until I activate it I won't have a social security number, of couse.

I want to do teaching work but I'm open to other areas. The way I look at it, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and if I have to do something else other than teaching to realise it, I'm willing to do that. I can of course come back to teaching when I'm more settled.

My partner is a PhD Eng who works at a university here and he has been looking for a job in the USA with no success. His potential employer would have to sponsor him into a role, which of course makes it more difficult for him. We're a same-sex couple so no benefits exist for him under current immigration law. I am thinking about going ahead by myself.

I'll check out monster.com. Thanks for that.

Edit: I will look for work from here.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

PhDs in English are a dime a dozen... so, no surprise that your partner isn't finding anything... even in the best of times many (most?) English majors have ended up working in offices as secretaries or bookkeepers. That was what happened with me. So, I added an accounting degree and was never without a job for more than a week. EFL was a second career.

Good Luck

VS

Hobo Stew · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 26 Location: USA

If you have a MA in Linguistics, you can look for anthropology jobs. Go to www.aaanet.org and see what kind of jobs they suggest. They may also have a job board. Just started looking at them myself this week, so not too familiar with all of their links yet.

Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas, have several universities. FW is an inexpensive small city, compared to Dallas, and there is a some-what useful city bus and light-rail to Dallas, but not Arlington. Housing in downtown FW consists of old apartments and new condos of various prices. Being 'alternative' is not much of a problem because the lifestyle is common. Arlington's traffic is a nightmare, so I don't suggest you live there, but you will need a car if you get a job at UTA.

New Orleans still has crime problems outside of the French Qtr. so visit the area before you decide. They may have jobs available, but you'll need a car. Most of Louisiana is still rural.

An advanced degree might get you a community college job (Tarrant County College is the best), but you may still need to be sponsored for a work visa.

shantaram · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 42 Location: Montreal, Quebec

I wouldn't need to be sponsored on a green card. I'm an American permanent resident.

Does that mean that inside the French quarter is a safe place to live? I can speak French, so perhaps that would be a good place for me. I've been thinking about New Orleans.

Thanks, hobo stew.

Hobo Stew · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 26 Location: USA

The French Quarter is where the famous Mardi Gras celebration is held. A lot of bars and restaurants as far as I know. Little, if any, French is spoken there, mostly English with Cajun and Creole mixed in.

http://www.neworleansonline.com/ This website will show you the party side of life, the last scene of the video is a good view of the French Qtr. New Orleans (commonly pronounced N'Orlens or New Orlens) is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The 9th Ward is the most dangerous area, but they have a (high?) school that was one of the first to open afterwards. Their story has made it into the national news several times and if you can handle the ward, I suggest you ask them about employment because the admin is doing really good things for the local kids (so the news has said). I have never been into New Orleans, but saw the damage in nearby Baton Rouge and Slidell (ground zero) 3 yrs after. Recovery has been very slow. I do not recommend living in the 9th Ward until you have checked it out in person and have talked to locals about the current situation. Also it is a flood plain for the hurricanes.

Google current news about the area. The 'heights' suffered less damage and if they have schools, they will be mostly for the upper class. Private and church run schools may be your best bet. Many refugees have not returned, so teachers may still be in desperate need for public schools. Pay may not be great though. Keep in mind, that priority will go to local teachers to help them get back on their feet and if you are given an interview, know the needs of the students, pre- and post hurricane, in order to show you care about the area. Community service is still a big need, so be ready to pitch in. Best Wishes.