Job Discussion Forums

[wigan4]

I'll be retiring from the USAF in about a year. I have a BA in business/accounting, MBA, CPA (3 years experience) and professional certifications in Program Management (in private industry you'd call in 'Project Management') and Acquisition Logistics. 24 years in the USAF--half flying and half in 'acquisition,'--defense contracting, managed about $30M/ year with companies like Boeing, Grumman, etc.

In other words, lots of relatively solid business credentials, but no teaching experience. For the sake of argument assume I will add a CELTA or TESOL or some such 'legitimate' ESL certification.

Am I competitive for a university-type position? Believe it or not I'd prefer an English-teaching position, at least at first, while I get my feet on the ground and decide if I really want to teach business or not.

Not as concerned about salary as living conditions and work environment--children are grown and gone but would be bringing my wife, so I'm not looking for bachelor/dorm type living.

So what do you think? Any chance for me? As I say, salary not the most important thing, would certainly consider assistant or intern-type situations as long as reasonable accomodation was part of the deal and at least subsistence salary, airfare, etc.

[veiledsentiments]

Now that is a difficult question... There are no such thing as 'intern' jobs. I'd say first step would be to get the CELTA and some teaching experience would be good too.

BUT, if you had that CELTA and some experience teaching 'anything'... I think that some of the smaller private colleges might look at you with the idea of your teaching both English and business courses. Even though they prefer PhDs in the business area, they would consider you for business courses with the MBA and CPA. For instance, my MA was in TEFL, but I had business experience and was able to teach things like Intro to Biz and first year accounting.

The reason that I recommend the CELTA is that it gives you some solid classroom training that will be helpful whatever you teach. Another option to get some classroom teaching in the next year would be with local colleges and adult ed... teaching something like first semester accounting. Does Park University teach classes on your base? It can be an enlightening experience figuring out how to teach the beginners the difference between a debit and a credit. And great fun too.

VS