Job Discussion Forums

NorbertRadd

Now, I have a uni. job in Nowhere, PRC, 12 hour train rides from everywhere.
Accomodations OK, but freezing in winter because I can only keep one room warm--16 C--with the heaters. Water smells. There's nothing in town though I have made friends and especially with one bar owner who's always happy to see me.
Work's OK. I read the Chinese scare stories. It could be better but it's been worst. This is my first job in the PRC. I've been looking at jobs in Guangdong which is where I want to go. I'd like to bring my son here but that's not a priority at present. The weather would be better for him down south because kids catch cold. My wife's new career is improving by the day.
My Chinese needs improvement but I have 4 more months to practice on this contract.
Brief auto-bio: 10 years of ESL, author,
1 book pending publication, also have an unpublished novel and unpublished ESL business dialog book
BA, unfinished MBA
2nd career: engineer
1st career: electrician, factory hand

Norman Bethune · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 731

You didn't say how old you were in your post.

If you are under 40, I'd say with your qualifications, leave China for greener ($) pastures.

If you are over 40, stay.

Just make friends with more people, other than just bar owners.

Seek out new opportunities here. It can be worth it if money is not your main motivation.

NorbertRadd · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:35 am Post subject: clarification

I'm 43. I was born in '61.

Norman Bethune · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 731

lumberjackej · Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:12 pm Post subject:

Stay.......in China or at your Uni?

Forgive me if you mentioned this somewhere and I'm dumb.

Spiderman Too · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 1:29 am Post subject:

Every China 'first-timer' is vulnerable to landing a crappy first job; me, Philolinguist, Talkdoc, kev7161 to name but 4 (actually, I think Roger is in this category as well). No blame, no shame.

However, if you choose to remain at the job, or land a crappy alternative job then perhaps you are either lazy, slow to learn or particularly gullible.

For my second job (excluding part-time and 'summer' positions) I firstly decided that I would work at universities only. I then choose the city in which I wanted to reside. Next, I made a short-list of 3 schools from my successful employment applications. I visited, and thoroughly toured, each of the schools. I spoke with F.A.O.s and other administration staff. I asked many questions. I looked at the teachers' accommodation, the classrooms, the transportation links, the nearby shops & services. At one of the schools I was able to speak with a serving F.T., which turned out to be quite revealing.

So, I chose a school and I'm as happy as a pig in mud (winter here is a little cold but I have basically acclimatized). When I read the many horror stories on this forum I don't figure that I 'lucked out'; I pat myself on the back for putting the time and effort into finding a decent job.

Based on the information you have provided, that you need to ask others "Should I stay or should I go [find new work]?" may indicate that 'you are either lazy, slow to learn or particularly gullible'.

NorbertRadd · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:40 am Post subject: stay at this uni or try another

I'll go to Shenzhen and Zhuhai and Guangzhou this week and try to find a new uni. job for the fall. There would be some benefits to staying here, viz., a known "bad" vis-a-vis an unknown worse but my old hand coworker tells me I can find better universities to teach at