Job Discussion Forums

[thebigeasy]

Thanks to all who replied to my original post/question. I am grateful for your kindness.

So, here I am...three days left to make the final decision...do I go to work at CERT or no?

As you mentioned VS, the absence of complainers here is a good sign. That said though, I see from HCT's website that they list only 2 HCT people currently working at CERT. So, perhaps they don't look at/use this forum.

I have been 'assured' by HCT that the hours of work are from 8am-5pm so, the mention of late night classes is a surprise to me. If anyone has any more info about these late classes, I'd be grateful to read it.

The 20 week long terms also seem a little steep to me. Sure, they may go by quickly enough once everyone gets busy but, it still seems a lot of time to do what we all know can be a tough job at times and not have a break.

May I also just throw one last thing into the pot here...housing. I have had all the bumpf from HCT about what to expect, housing allowance etc and I know there are a wide range of different types of accommodation offered. But, just what can I realistically expect to be the 'norm' in housing at CERT for a single status guy? And where is it located with regard to the CERT campus?

Thanks to all, and best wishes,

TBE

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Edit only because I can't delete!

[adorabilly]

TBE.

Sorry, but people at HCT (and CERT) most definatley know of Daves. From what I understand it is often the topic of conversation at various colleges (along the line of "did you read that thread on daves?").

There are plenty of folks there who come to daves regularly, but who do not post. It is well known that various supervisors and administrators regularly check daves to see who is posting about the different campuses (campi?

AS for the late courses, at many of the branches the mens colleges often run classes into the evenings as many of the male students have jobs during the day. I'm not sure how CERT works though.

As for 20 week terms... There have been 20 week semesters (depending on ramadan, eids, national day holidays etc) and often you will have your first semester broken up with lots of holidays, and then the second semesetr will be 16 straight weeks...

As for housing... HCT has a group of housing. There is very little "choice" that you have concerning the housing you are assigned.

[thebigeasy]

Thanks very much for your comment adorabilly; as I said, 'perhaps' the existing CERT people do not read use/look at this site. Then again, perhaps they do. However, without those people making it clear that they work there (and, of course, you are right about people/supervisors talking about davesesl and the need, at times, to be discreet), I have no more idea than the next person just who they are.

NCTBA I am sorry but I do not understand what you wrote.

[veiledsentiments]

[ckhl]

I'm an HCT veteran. The 20-week semesters, of which you'll probably be teaching for at least 16 of them, were interminable. Subsequent jobs that have run more according to the semester system in the USA have come as a relief, a real treat. Total teaching weeks have amounted to about thirteen, all things considered. Overall, housing at HCT is pretty good. The commute may be the only drag you'll face depending on where you're posted. What I found most sickening, however, was the posturing on the part of some colleagues.

[scrog_420]

My advice to you about working hours is shut up about it. I never worked anywhere in KSA or the UAE where I was not home by 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon, yet I'm sure that in every one of those places there was some official policy of working until 4:00 or 5:00. The fact is that your supervisors want to go home early too, so there's a tacit agreement that we'll all go home early in the afternoon as long as we come in plenty early in the morning. The more you bug them about official work hours, the more likely it is that you'll give someone the idea of actually enforcing the official policy.

[Afra]

I regularly teach until 7.30 pm, sometimes later, although content teachers have more late hours then ESL teachers. If you teach after 5pm, you should not have an 8am start the following day and you adjust your office hours accordingly. It's not a problem and you won't work more hours.

[With Malice Toward None]

[thebigeasy]

Once again, thank you for your informative replies. I am much obliged to you for your time and trouble.

Best wishes to all and take care.

TBE

[Armbar]

Side-question:

My online status for CERT has been stuck passed pre screen for ages. Means what? Anyway to contact them? Cert hires when?