Job Discussion Forums

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Howdy y'all.
I don't know if anyone remembers me or what I said I'd do, but here I am, making good.
I'm back in the U.S. now. My wife has a job lined up, her Green Card is on its way, AND I managed to find an ESL job in San Francisco.
The pay isn't great, and I have a really harsh probationary period (note to the anti-probation crew - it's standard operating procedure in every single country on the planet now, so get used to it). The probationary period is 12 weeks, 28 classroom hours a week, BUT there is tons of overtime available - extra classes, administrative stuff, showing the tourist/students around the city, that sort of thing. This is all paid at an hourly rate.
After I pass probation (and I will), I will be offered a salary with full benefits, AND I'll be trained to deliver CELTA courses, which is the next step I wanted to take in my career in the first place.

San Francisco is an expensive city to live in. The pay is not huge at this job. BUT it's perfectly livable. And it's a nice career move - teacher training! Very cool.
And all this with NO DEGREE.
The school I'll be working for, if I work out well, will be willing to help subsidize a baccalaureate degree if I want to pursue one, but their concern is my diploma, which I earned over a year ago. As far as these people are concerned, I am fully qualified for this job.

I just wanted to let everyone know, this can be done. But if you teach for a year or so and then expect to find something at home, you're going to be disappointed. Sure, you can do this, but I was abroad for a number of years (since 1997), and I DID earn the diploma. I also got a few years' experience as a DoS. If this is what you really want to do, you CAN do it back home...but you need to be competitive.

I've been back for ALMOST two weeks and I start work before I get to three weeks.
I just wanted to let everyone know that it can be done, and you are not necessarily wasting your time, if you just do something that you want to do. You can worry about your future if you want, and there are plenty of people right here who will do everything in their power to scare you off of teaching ESL abroad. But if you just take care of your own happiness, I think you'll find that the future will take care of itself. That's certainly been my experience, anyway.

OK. I'm done. Just wanted to let you know that it seems to be working out so far. But I'll keep you posted. If it all goes to Hell in a handbasket, I'll admit it. But so far, so good.

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

I remember you Laughing

Cdaniels · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:09 pm Post subject: Gregor Samsa: Kafka

If I wanted to teach ESL in the US, and I had experience, I think I would freelance. I don't need sponsorship for a work visa here, and starting a business is relatively easy in the US. Did you consider starting your own business? Why not if not? Is it something you would consider for the future? Are you fluent in any languages besides English?
Very Happy

I didn't want to make returning here too easy for you.
Did you read how Lozwich has left the board? Coincidence? Shocked

Welcome back! Cool

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Geez!
Y'all talk like I've been away for YEARS. Man. But yeah, I've thought about the freelance. I will likely do something like that. But this job comes with benefits - insurance, vacations - and I don't want to be without those things. You may not need sponsorship for a work visa, but living in the U.S. is ROUGH. How long have you been away? If you get sick or need some sort of medical care here, you are screwed if you don't have insurance. BIG trouble.
Anyway, I'm more or less sorted, but I WILL keep y'all posted.
And by the way, I don't remember Lozwich.

Cdaniels · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:14 am Post subject: We're just very clingy!