Job Discussion Forums

Zeck · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 2

When I was 18 and fresh out of highschool I wanted nothing more than to travel. I wanted to visit China but did not want to go for a few weeks and return, so I decided to get a job teaching. My cousin, around 25, had been doing it for years so I figured what the heck and applied to some schools online. I had no idea what I was doing really, but I figured I could manage. A school in Pingnan hired me, and three weeks later I was on a plane. For 3 months I taught, appeared on the news for publicity, did several local TV commercials, and attended seminars as a guest speaker. It was hard, having no formal training of any kind, to teach these classes, but I managed.

Long story short, I returned home after 3 months. What happened? Well for starters, I was out of money. Naturally I know now that a school that would hire an untrained 18 year old would not be above the occasional money scam. While I didn't take it personally because I still had an amazing time, it definetally made it impossible to stay any longer. Also, I learned shortly after I got home that what I had done was entirely illegal. I had jumped in so quickly, not having any of the required information.

Fast forward to 6 months ago, I'm 21. I decided to go back. I was in a terrible rut here at home and wanted desperately to start teaching again. So I purchased a fake degree from an online mill and planned to go back overseas, this time to Japan. I had pursued many jobs, and received offers on most all of them. I was all but set to go.

Then the last few weeks before I was to go, I started to explore this site more. The forums, articles, etc. and came to a very startling realization. No matter how much I tried to justify it, what I was doing was both wrong and immoral. It took some time for me to fully understand what I was about to do. It didn't matter if I *thought* I could do it, if I had done it in the past, or if I could bluff my way through. That was all besides the point. The point was it was wrong, period. Wrong in that I wanted so desperately to consider myself a serious teacher, and no amount of purchased paper could accomplish that.

So, I've gone ahead and enrolled in college. It took alot of effort as far as student loans and grants, but I've managed to make my way. I will be starting soon, and I couldn't be more excited. It may take me a while, but in the end I'll be far better prepared.

Thanks people, your posts and comments have saved me from making a terrible decision, one that could have had terrible after effects. I owe you.

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

Best of luck to you, Zeck. Some of us will still be here when you graduate, so don't hesitate to look us up then.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Good for you, Zeck. Isn't it interesting how when we do the "right thing" we feel so darn good afterwards, even when we choose a more difficult path in life.
Japan will still be waiting for you in 4 years and hopefully others will learn from your posts. Not only would you be looking over your shoulder for immigration, but you would be wondering if colleagues had "found you out" and realized you never went to university.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

What I always tell people is whether they could in good conscience show the diploma to their 86 year old grandmother and be proud of their 'achievement'.

The only person you really kid is yourself, with fake online degrees bought off the Internet.

I sleep well at night knowing I worked hard and long for my piece of paper. So should you.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

Im just curious......would a fake degree work?

I can't see getting a visa from it.......certainly they ask the University if you graduated, and some of these fake degrees I hear are made up universities.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

P.S. Anyone wanna buy a medical degree? Going cheap. All yours for $200.

Zeck · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 2

I checked out that list and sure enough the one I purchased was on there. Thankfully I didn't spend nearly as much as they say they start at. I look at it as a learning experience. Sure, it cost me and was stupid, but I'm in such a better place now I can't really make myself get angry about it.

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

I hope this doesn't upset Zeck's original message...

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

Hey, you guys live in Japan - you and Paul tell me

Look at Gordon here - he got a teaching position in a university through knowing a friend of a friend - is that fair?

He didn't get his job based on merit - Not as a result of hard work.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

In the context of conversation school industry in Asia - none of it bothers me one bit.

It's not an honest business.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan