Job Discussion Forums

[Tuttifruitti]

Hi everyone,

I was speaking to someone the other day who asked me why there's a recruitment crisis at the HCT. I know there are opinions on various topics on different threads, but I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts to share on the reasons why, especially those who have turned down jobs recently.

Is it the money, interview, admin, no choice of campus, 'bad press' from former employees? Just wondering!

Thanks

[veiledsentiments]

Jeeessss tutti...

Do we really need another thread on this? sigh...

Naturally it is all of the things you said. Least one would be bad press from ex-teachers. There has been very little of that in relative terms.

VS

[well-travelled]

But very little positive either!!

What does silence mean???

well-travelled

[veiledsentiments]

That is a mystery that has been pondered on this board for years. Other that a few messages and posts on the Job Information Journal about the problems at DWC some years back and a couple of posters who had a run-in with management at Sharjah this past year, there has been almost nothing.

I know current teachers and dozens of past teachers, and like with me it was or is just a job that pays well and has its pros and cons. Maybe something in the HCT recruitment procedures manages to exclude the type of people that post on discussion boards.

If I had to choose the number one reason for their current shortfall it would be the fall of the dollar, but it would be interesting to have a few people come on here and tell us exactly why they declined.

VS

[Tuttifruitti]

I suppose I was hoping to hear from those who have turned down offers really. The reason I think we don't hear too much from people in the HCT is that most people seem to be fairly satisfied.

The UAE has become more expensive over the past 5 years or so (all relative of course), but most people I've spoken to are not blaming the colleges for this, just progression!

[veiledsentiments]

Of course the reason that things have become so expensive is because so much cash is pouring in with the $50+ barrel of oil. One of those details from one's first semester Economics textbook.

They have so much money they don't know what to do with it - except that it should not be given to expat teachers whose government contracts do not really mean that they are working for the 'government.'

I have heard from a couple of people who did turn them down, but it was for the generic... 'I had another offer that appealed more' reason.

VS

[well-travelled]

So most people at HCT are satisfied.

So that's the reason you don't get so many negative or positive postings about HCT at Dave's.

I can't argue with that.

So most people at most of the HCT colleges are happy.

Great.

well-travelled

[Shakhbut]

hhhhhhhh

[turtlepi1]

[veiledsentiments]

No problem turtle

Did you notice someone bemoaning just this type of situation on the Saudi board?

VS

[well-travelled]

Shakhbut -

I can relate to your "dreaming of murder" - and I kid you not.

And there are greener pastures than HCT - although, admittedly, not back home!!

well-travelled

[Shakhbut]

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[well-travelled]

Shakhbut -

My reference to greener pastures not being back home was a nod in the direction of turtlepi's quote of VS's earlier comments - the implication being, I guess, that teaching ESL back in the States is financially tough and, in comparison, there aren't many financially greener pastures than the Middle East.

In general, that makes sense. Personally, that's why I think most people at the 2-3 bad HCT colleges in the UAE keep their mouths shut on this forum - they're afraid of losing their jobs.

However, there is life beyond HCT. I mean, there has to be - it's hardly an educational mecca, is it??

well-travelled

[veiledsentiments]

I think you hit the nail on the head well-travelled. HCT will very likely not be one's favorite ME experience, but it will also likely be far from the worst. (presuming that one spends many years and enjoys moving about) But, most people leave HCT with a nicely padded bank account, and I truly enjoyed danged near every moment in the classroom. My female students were lovely. I worked with and learned a lot from a number of highly professional and gifted teachers. The housing and lifestyle was better than average.

Every teacher in every job can come up with something to complain about... and I can write volumes on the things about HCT that irked me - management and the ponderous centralized system. Two contracts were sufficient for me. But, I'm sure glad that I had the experience.

Let's face it, most jobs are what 'we' make them. And if I am honest, I would have to say that it is my personal foibles and faults that made me leave when I did. A significant number of the teachers that I worked with are still in the system. Sometimes I have no patience with 'systems' and 'meetings.' I always looked for something new and different... not necessarily 'greener.'

Are most current teachers afraid to come on here and criticize? Probably. But, to be fair, what employer wouldn't be upset if you did a public criticism? That is a fact of life. You notice that most posters who come on here and blast an employer have usually left - voluntarily or otherwise. The detail that I find surprising is that we can't even get that many ex-HCT teachers to come on here and post. There has to be hundreds of them??

VS

[Tuttifruitti]

VS wrote: