Job Discussion Forums

[Nyrphame]

fin,

You might try the VTC NET program - I think that they have finished recruiting for this year, but they may still be short of their desired numbers - the salary you quote is equivalent to the Teaching Associate pay rate and for the net program your accommodation would be free (albeit shared - which is a problem). If you have a first degree, your second language teaching credentials, and some experience that is a good beginning. Your drama experience won't get you in the door but it will be seen as added-value if everything else checks out. Also, you don't say what your job has been, but the VTC looks favourably on experience in the vocational fields it teaches (the main ones are Business Admin, Design Studies, Applied Sciences, as well as IT related courses), as the language centres act as support for those disciplines, so that might be helpful also. As well, if you are highly specialized/qualified/experienced in one of the above fields, the VTC does hire "foreign" vocational teachers in other disciplines (not something that is generally known I think).

There is a specific focus on Design Studies at the moment, and with the new HDKI scheduled to be opening next year there is at least a feeling that the teaching faculty should be somewhat international in flavour.

That said, you should do a thorough read of these forums for what it is like working at the VTC. It ain't easy. It really, really, really, really isn't easy. On the other hand, with your qualifications, I don't think you are going to get 22K elsewhere in HK(others may disagree, so IMHO only.)

Here is the link to the VTC site, with the NET application form:

http://www.vtc.edu.hk/vtc/web/template/file.jsp?fldr_id=1481

Hope that helps

[fin]

Nyrphame, I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to help me out with that detailed reply.

I've never heard of the VTC option at all, I always thought that the NET scheme was for public schools etc and last time I checked, I didn't fulfil the criteria. Before I explore this further, can you tell me why you emphasise how difficult it is working for the VTC?

Finally, my work experience is nine years sports editorial/media - new media journalism (internet/portable devices), print (newspaper but mostly as editor of a magazine) and most recently, three years as as TV producer. I don't see any media studies jobs though! (But just said I'd throw it out there anyway).

Thanks again.

[Nyrphame]

Well, I guess if you have checked the forums you will know that in general teaching in HK is tough. It isn't a gig for the faint of heart - but if you come in with your eyes wide open, or you have a lighthearted take on life in general, you will have a much better chance of success.

It is just very hard for us of the western world to understand how or why things work the way they work here in HK. The VTC is part of the educational milieu here and so a lot of the things that NETs in general complain of witll be true of the VTC as well. Longer hours than you expect, extra duties that having nothing to do with being a native speaker and more to do with parceling out tedious admin duties "fairly", meetings that aren't meetings, decisions that fly in the face of reason, and etc. I don't need to really go on too much about that, because stuff like that is all over these boards.

With the VTC all of that may get to you more because you don't have freedom of housing. You will have to share an apartment ( a lovely, huge apartment, btw which is unusual for HK), and you may get housed with someone you end up having a lifelong affection for - but chances are you will have some issues. And issues when you get home after dealing with issues all day long at work can make for a really bad time. To make it a bit more difficult to cope with, the buidling is not just for NETs but it is where all the Senior VTC staff from across HK is housed as well. Here fishy, fishy, fishy.

As well, this means that if you are posted way the hey out in the New Territories, you have an hour and a half commute both ways every day, but your roomie might be just walking across the street. That can cause a bit of tension and etc. and can get really exhausting over time.

Some have big issues with the students, too, but I loved my students so that wasn't an issue for me.

All of that said, some have hung in there and love it - hate to say it but men seem to do better on the whole than women and the stats bear that out. On the plus side, the salary and benefits are good, you can come in as a TA and move ahead in the organziation once you have more experience, you can pick up a lot of part time evening work and extra course teaching if you want it (and have the energy for it) AND you will be privy to the internal postings in Film and Television or Print and Publishing or Digital Media or any of the other courses that will be taught through the HKDI for which your quals/experience might qualify you - even though there are no openings now they do come up...

Whewf! Hope that helps.

nyrphame

[fin]

You've outdone yourself again with that post, thank you very much.

I think, on balance, I will look into Taiwan instead and possibly Korea as a last resort. I really don't see the point in chasing down a job in Hong Kong when they're so scarce, the competition is fierce and all things told, the money just isn't really enough to have a decent time on.

So now it's time to start looking for info over in the Taiwan forum!

[Nyrphame]

Good luck in your search, fin!