Job Discussion Forums

[Westword]

I'm curious what people think are good jobs. I'm fairly new here (not an invitation to get snarky) and I'd like to know what seasoned Saudi English teachers believe to be the 'good jobs'?

I'm probably in one of that 'bad jobs' (though it's not horrible). The next job I go for I want to be pretty confident I'm putting my energies in the right direction. I'd be happy getting anything 15,000 and up....I also like the idea of teaching at a university but it doesn't have to be. I don't have an MA but I'm probably qualified for a lot of the jobs here. Ideas

[nomad soul]

[Westword]

It seems to me that getting a job around 15,000+ without an MA isn't a "dream job" in the way you mean. It's obtainable, I've seen plenty of them out there. Check out the job market I think it's changing a little.

[nomad soul]

[Westword]

I'd rather steer away from talking about my specific qualifications and only talk about good jobs. I'm kinda hoping somebody will fill in the list below. All qualifications aside, which companies, academies, universities or institutions are considered good jobs here?

1.Aramco
2.
3.
4.
5.

[veiledsentiments]

The problem with that is that you may end up with a list of places that wouldn't hire someone with your credentials.

For instance... number one is probably ARAMCO, but direct hire, not recruiter hire. But only a small/tiny (miniscule?) percentage of ARAMCO hires are direct and these positions require the top credentials and experience. (no BA+CELTA+2 year experience need apply)

VS

[nomad soul]

[sicklyman]

[dragonpiwo]

Give the guy a break...it's like the Crucible on this forum. Listen mate...I have plenty of friends who earn C$8,000/month and none of them has the MA. There are some good Aramco recruiters and companies like TQ have the odd good job....check out Petrofac too. I've got a well-paid, direct hire rotation elsewhere....it's possible but you need to build contacts.

Positive mental attitude....and don't quit. You'll get there.

[johnslat]

Dear dragonpiwo,

And these plenty of friends teach EFL, right?

It would be great if you could do a public service and post the names of those places where they make $96,000 a year - without even having an MA.

Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

[dragonpiwo]

There's a well-known drilling company Jon and then there's Aramco. Just outside Saudi you have Dyncorp and another large oil company based in Basra....who pay more actually...I know as they offered me a job 2 months a go. Alas, the contract was too short and I already have a cushy rotation. BAe are currently paying up near that with free housing and you can get in without an MA. So Jon there you go. Rattled off a few names right there.

This board seems to be hogged by a few self-proclaimed gurus, who seem to have nothing constructive to say and lack wit....as the attempts at humour clearly show. Some haven't even been to the KSA in decades.

If you want to work in a uni, you'll probably need an MA...but I know people who have such jobs and don't...KFUPM Jon.

It's pot luck.....I certainly don't wanna waste any money on an MA and am happy in my job for life...on rotation...living on the beach mostly....on a dollop of loot. Screw development..after 18 years I know enough to teach Arabs better than most....and keep myself updated using the net....like modern people do.

[Westword]

dragonpiwo,

Thanks for the good ideas and positive outlook.

[JustinC]

DYNCORP offered me a job two months ago, it seemed too good to be true (9000 Euros a month) so I checked out their details. The address they gave in London has history as being used for Nigerian scams. So I replied, asking what the job specs were. I received another offer about a week later which was worded differently but didn't address my question. I replied to that, asking about the details of the role and received another email which was similar to the first two. Any other emails they send go immediately to my junk folder.

They actually gave the address as their lawyers' office, who needed my passport sending to them to clear with some authority; British Intelligence or some such. The email and contract were fairly well-worded but there were discrepancies towards the end of both. There's no way I will send my passport unless the address has been confirmed by the country's embassy first.

Westword it's difficult to get reliable recommendations online, who's to say the poster recommending a job isn't involved with recruitment? You would be better off fishing for offers and then checking out their validity, after the offer but before you get on a plane. Even then there are no guarantees. Caveat emptor.

[dragonpiwo]

There was a Dyncorp scam you are right but the oil company which offered me $15,000 a month or a 28/28 rotation certainly wasn't as I has 2 interviews and rang the guy out there.

Back to the OP...there are good jobs but they are rare and you certainly don't need to get an MA to get 'em. I specialised in the oil field work...started in 2001 and that's where the best dosh is....and if you get a rotation, the best holidays. I refuse to do an Ma as it's simply a waste of memory in my nut chip.

We look at the experience people have when we get the CVs at recruitment time. We'd rather have John with 5 years experience teaching in the oil field with his CELTA than James who's got his Ma and 10 years in Mexico and Korea. We also look at non-academic stuff as we need someone who looks like a good fit profile-wise. The last thing we need in a 'hard' place is some know-it-all prima donna who feels entitled cos he can rattle off Skiiner...Harmer...Chomsky...Prahbu or whoever. Anyone who likes PFC for example, is in straight away .

Why oh why does anyone need a Masters to teach this lot?