Job Discussion Forums

Enrico Palazo · Joined: 29 Aug 2011 Posts: 13

What's the best way to look for a university job? Are there job fairs for that? What if I don't have any experience teaching kids older than 14? I do have a master's degree in English, but I'm not sure how far that would take me.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

No, no job fairs. There are not that many openings, and most of them go to highly-qualified local or British teachers with connections in the area.
You might find an occasional job posting in English-language online newspapers for the region, but do keep in mind that legalities often require that a job be posted, even though there is a candidate already chosen and waiting for the job.

If you have only a non-EU passport, your MA in English won't get you anywhere in Western Europe, sadly.

Enrico Palazo · Joined: 29 Aug 2011 Posts: 13

Well thanks for the cold hard truth. I appreciate it since now I can spend my time looking elsewhere. Oh, to have an EU passport!

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Earning a western salary in "cheap" China would save you the most, hands down. There are many on this forum making 4,000 RMB a month and claim to spend only half that a month. If this is true, then making 21,000 RMB a month will in theory let you save almost three thousand bucks a month-- half your debt in a year.

In theory.

I strongly suggest looking at the higher-paid jobs in China (they absolutely exist!) and shoot for them. Google is your friend. The money is doable, but you WILL be working normal western working hours (30 or 40 hrs. a week).

The Middle East is also a plum for money, however watch out for dangers.

Failing that, South Korea, but you will have to watch your money wisely.

Enrico Palazo · Joined: 29 Aug 2011 Posts: 13

I guess I need to make a choice. Go to South America and live very frugally, or go for the big money in Asia. I think I'd rather live frugally in a place where I can more easily learn to speak the language. Someone also told me that having a TEFL certificate makes life easier too. Maybe that'll help.

globalcitizen1968 · Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Posts: 34

globalcitizen1968 · Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Posts: 34

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Old Surrender · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 6:22 pm Post subject:

You could do it in China, but you would lead a Spartan life and possibly go insane. Here's two ways. I call one "The Grind" and the other "The Hustler." (Cheesy names, I know....)

Here's "The Grind"

-- Get one of those 8,000-10,000 yuan language mill gigs where the schedule changes weekly, you don't really teach at all, and you'll have to cave in to parental demands constantly. You'll be "asked" to do a lot sitting around do nothing (this is called "office hours") and recruitment lessons to gain new pupils. Essentially, even though you're doing 25 hours of classes, you're there for 15 doing essentially nothing or BS "oh by the way, could you do this since you're not doing anything..." work, which includes standing in front of your school handing out fliers. Also, your days off are usually Tuesday and Thursday.

Here's "The Hustler."

-- Find a uni gig that pays at least 5,000 yuan a month for 12-16 hours a week and gives you housing in a first-tier city (BJ, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu) or a second-tier city (Dalian, Xian, Qingdao, Chongqing) where there will be part-time gigs available. This will be your 9-5. Also, you get paid vacation. "The Grind" option does not come with much paid vacation.

-- Find evening and weekend work. Your Saturday and Sundays will 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. of non-stop classes with a two-lunch break if you're lucky. You can probably find two or three hours of work in the evenings. Demand 100 yuan an hour.

In total, this is at least a 40-45-hour workweek, which by my calculations is 7,400-7,900 yuan. (Check my math, I could be screwing this up).

7,400 yuan = 1,162 USD as of right now. Also, the yuan is gradually getting stronger.

Which one is better? Depends on who you are. "The Grind" provides stability (sort of, language mill bosses are an unpredictable lot), but "The Hustler" allows you to network, make more friends, and see more of the city. However, that's tiring and you spend a lot of time in cabs and buses. A university comes with a lot less BS, plus when your part-time gigs start throwing BS your way, you can just walk away and try to find a new one. Be sure you do that after you get paid. "The Hustler" leaves you with no days off if you just want to make money, money, money. Also, it'll take you a few months to find the work and get over the "OH. MY. GOD." factor that is China at first. (I grew to love some of the insanity.)

Now, let's talk expenses.

-- Food: Today I had heaping bowl of noodles and a hunk of tofu for 5.5 yuan (86 cents) off the street. If you can do this for every meal for every day, you'll have no problem saving money. However, the siren call of McDonald's/Pizza Hut/Subway/trendy expat food place will lure you to blow a chunk of change once in while. If you can limit the call to do this to once in a while, you'll be fine.

-- Booze: A can/bottle of tsingstao is 4 yuan. A cheap expat bar, beer will be at least 15 yuan. A club will be 50 yuan per local beer. Want American/European? Your wallet will take a beating. Don't drink? Good. Save some money right there.

-- House: A uni will pay utilities and Internet. A language mill won't. When I did the latter, I paid about 300 yuan a month.

-- Phone: A cheap phone (no camera, no games, just call and text) will cost you 200 yuan for a REAL brand. See what you can get for about $30 USD online for an unlocked cell before you come, you'll probably find a better phone. For service, I spend, at the most, 100 yuan (no Internet), but usually 50 yuan a month. This really depends on how social you are.

-- Entertainment: The Internet is your best friend. Torrent movies and watch them on your laptop. Gyms are cheaper than they are at the states (I pay about 50 yuan a month for my uni gym. Expect more for private.) Find out where the free landmarks are. I like to walk around and people watch, so I spend afternoons just wandering around town. Also, English bookstores are rare (unless you like the classics or overpriced paperbacks of bestsellers from three years ago) so stock up or buy a Kindle before you come here. Arcades are fun if you like video games.

That's my China primer based on almost three years of being here. Others may disagree or have different opinions. Come on over to the China forums if you want to know more.

Good luck on wherever you go.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 12:50 am Post subject:

Old Surrender · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:17 am Post subject:

[quote="Prof.Gringo"]

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 1:52 pm Post subject:

[quote="Old Surrender"]

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

If I were you, I'd get my CV into Bonne International. They frequently advertise for Governesses for Russian kids who are part of wealthy families. Typical salaries are $5-6K a month net with free housing and 2 days off a week. If I were a woman, I'd go for it. You have to travel with the families. The teaching load is low, pastoral care and activities mostly....what a doddle! Do a google search for governess companies as there are loads, but start with Bonne. You'll also have a blast in Russia.

justcolleen · Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 654 Location: Egypt, baby!