Job Discussion Forums

[Bakainfidel]

Hello I am thinking of trying to find a job in KSA for a year or two to save up cash, as i'm incredibly broke at the moment and I was hoping someone could give me some advice on jobs and salaries I could expect with the qualifications I have.

I have an MA in International Relations from a U.S University
BA in English from an international university in Thailand (Wondering if this will be a problem although i have the equivalency papers from an agency stating its the equivalent to a U.S degree)
CELTA
100 hour TEFL ( not even sure its worth mentioning this one)
8 years teaching experience spread out between Thailand, Japan and South Korea.Most of it is pre MA and most of it just young learners/highschool ESL with some business English as well.

Any thing you can tell me on expected salary and benefits I should be able to get, as well as what universities or schools I should apply to would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[sicklyman]

a low level contractor like EdEx would snap you up with qualifications like that and place you in some disfunctional establishment where you will probably spend a year wondering what the hell you have done with your life as they professionally abuse you week by week.

Alternatively, look around for Aramco contracted positions. They may take you although they seem to be winding down their recent hiring spree. If you get that, you will have done well. But I think you might find the Thai degree and non-relevant MA/experience a difficulty.

I also think the same issues might apply for direct hire to any uni positions but I could be wrong.

[nomad soul]

I agree with Sicklyman, especially given your Thai BA and varied experience. You'd very likely receive a mediocre salary---frankly, one that rivals what you could make in Korea. But the best answer to your question is that you should apply to find out what you could get.

By the way, there's no need to mention your 100-hour TEFL cert since you also have a CELTA.

[plumpy nut]

You won't be able to get an employment visa leading to an Iqama. The problem is I don't think you can get your degree attested by the Saudi Cultural Mission (SACM) if its from a Thai university. You would have to come in on a business "work" visa. This is not a very good idea because after November 3 they are threatening to crack down on illegal expats with checks at their place of employment. Before you do anything try to contact the SACM, tell them what you have and see if there is a chance could use it for an employment visa.

[scot47]

SACM do not provide counselling and advice services.

[plumpy nut]

In that case OP I would forget about the KSA.

[nomad soul]

[Bakainfidel]

Thanks a lot for the advice. looks like KSM might not be for me then if they are going to hassle me about my BA, or outright deny my visa. Also no point of living in Saudi unless i'm going to get paid a lot, and by that I think 4-5kUSD a month would be the minimum it would take for me to consider it worthwhile, which doesn't look like will happen.

Thanks again for your help.

[nomad soul]

[D. Merit]

Possibly unrealistic for KSA unis (I wouldn't really know), but certainly not unrealistic for someone with a TEFL related MA in the gulf as a whole.

That's 18,000 dh uae I think - not an unusual amount of money to be pocketing in the UAE.

Have a look at the ads on this site. There's a recent one mentioning a salary of circa 22,000.

[nomad soul]