Job Discussion Forums

[yli]

After a couple of beers and some crabs with a scholar from China visiting the US, I get a job offer.

Somewhere in Shandong, Jinan if I remember correctly. University position.

Only 5000 RMB per month though. No more, no less.

I don't need the money, I have enough of it, but teaching China may (or may not) boost my resume for grad school somewhat.

Still, my contacts in Beijing and Shanghai say that I can get 10k in those far more cosmopolitan and interesting places.

But an offer's an offer. Do I take it?

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Sorry yli, not everyone here will refuse to answer your question, give you a rude answer, or accuse you of being unable to conceptualize things.

Shanghai and Beijing are NOT 3-8 times more expensive than Jinan. Jinan is getting quite expensive these days. It's the capital city of Shandong Province, and the price of vegetables, drinks, meat, etc. are roughly the same.

The only major differences in prices is housing.

That's it.

In fact, transportation is even cheaper in Beijing than Jinan due to the subway system.

I'd look at Shanghai and/or Beijing as options. There are jobs for 15,000-20,000 out there. Working for 5,000 RMB a month is really waaay to low.

[johntpartee]

Do they provide housing with everything included (utilities, computer, internet connection, etc.)? Roundtrip airfare? All visa and residency fees? The reason I ask is that you said you don't need the money. At least you can avoid going into the hole.

[LanGuTou]

If you don't need the money, then you need to focus on what you do need. The better option would be to decide what you are coming to China for and then look at the options.

To say that teaching in China will improve your resume is probably not a good reason to come here. Teaching in China is very simple to get into but can be hell to get out of. If you are considering it as a career stepping stone, you could be making a very big mistake.

As far as Jinan is concerned, it is located roughly equidistant from Beijing and Qingdao. Each can be reached in about three hours by railway. Its location isn't bad but the summers tend be be rather hot and stuffy. To be honest, it doesn't have too many distinguishing features.

Unless the working conditions at the school are good, you may be better off looking elsewhere. 5000 rmb and accommodation for a provincial university position is around a par figure.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[yli]

[scot47]

Grad School ? Well it might help in some disciplines. Chinese ?

[bulgogiboy]

[Miles Smiles]

If one has ever actually applied to a graduate school, he will know that grad schools ask for a CV. This helps graduate faculty committees to decide whether to admit a student and to determine how to award grants and scholarships (whether the applicants ask for one or not). If one has teaching experience and applies for a teaching assistantship, one's chances of being awarded an assistantship is enhanced by ANY previous teaching experience.

Grad school committees that decide the admission of students to graduate school look for those who show promise of becoming teachers or are at least interested in and capable of contributing to academic discourse.

I would venture to say that yes, prior teaching experience ANYWHERE will greatly enhance one's chance of admission to a graduate school. I can't understand why anyone would say with conviction that it wouldn't.

[johntpartee]

[LanGuTou]

[yli]

[mat chen]

yli go to the school that has the highest reputation. Good schools bring in the best teachers whether they are black white or yellow. It will also look better on your resume. The only positive thing to be said about working in lower accredited school is that your Chinese will improve. Probablly your Chinese is at a high level though.

[johntpartee]

[drjtrekker]

Just stay home!