Job Discussion Forums

Mrs. Fortigurn · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 7

I know this has probably been asked before but does anyone have any experience working in non-teaching jobs? Are such jobs rare?

Mrs. Fortigurn

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

As a matter of fact they are common. They just don't pay very well.

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

wood · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

Mrs. Fortigurn · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 7

No, I would not like to work in a factory Laughing

. I should have been more clear but I just wanted to get a general response to a general question before I got specific.

I currently live in NYC where I work as a: Secretary/Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary/Executive Assistant, etc. etc. Something in that capacity.

Are they jobs possible? If so, what is the pay?

I could try the English Teaching route but I don't have a degree although I'm more than capable.

Thanks guys,

wood · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

Are they jobs possible? If so, what is the pay?

Possible, not likely. Certainly not legal.

Care to contradict me, Aristotle?

Polina · Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 71

A lot of people come here because they have been sent over by their home country's company.

If you want to get a job here, you can sometimes work as a barperson or waiter (maybe illegally), a paralegal, an exporting assistant, a technical writer, or an editor, sometimes with other related duties such as writing or organising events. These jobs are legal and advertised on websites and in newspapers in Taiwan. You have to keep an eye out because they are not plentiful.

MTurton · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 107

There are all kinds of non-teaching jobs. Editing jobs, translation work, acting and modeling, writing work, technical writing...anything, really. One important key to those is good Chinese, though.

Michael

Mrs. Fortigurn · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 7

Teaching jobs that don't require college 'degrees'?

delian · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 40 Location: Hong Kong

Actually, when I lived in Taiwan I knew a few people who didn't go the teaching route. One guy had his MBA, wasn't even interested in teaching, and ended up (quite quickly) working as an English mouth-piece/assistant to this rich businessman. I think the money was pretty good and he got to travel overseas quite a bit. My ex was an editor for a few journals - this is also outside of teaching. Pretty easy money if you're a writer. There's also the silly modelling to be done. I did it. You might end up on some motor-scooter calendar in Germany or something, though. It's ok money if you are comfortable with it.
It's always been my impression that if you are motivated enough to move somewhere outside your 'home country', you have a good chance of finding some interesting opportunities. Just be open to them, but not gullible.
Good luck.