Job Discussion Forums

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

I just had a job offer from a place called MECIT. 700 ORs? Plus a monthly charge for transportation and other things? A 48 week work year?

It's a joke, right?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Ohman,

Now I've heard everything -- CHARGING for transportation??? When everyone else gives a transportation allowance?? If you look way down the messages here, there was a discussion of Majan and MECIT and not much was known about either. But nothing good, it seems.

I can't imagine any native speaker westerner taking a job with these people. I expect that they will end up hiring only sub-continentals who too often allow themselves to be abused by places like these.

VS

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

Believe it or not:

"We are in a position to consider your candidature for an immediate opening as lecturer. The present scale entitles you to RO.700 as Basic Pay. . .The college has a College Bus picking up staff to and from place of work for which a monthly levy of RO 35 is charged to the employee."

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Amazing... I suppose you immediately faxed off an acceptance. Laughing

Be sure to write to them and tell them that you are well aware that every other employer of professional educators in the Middle East either provides the transport free or gives you an allowance - and that you consider their offer insulting.

Bet the housing is grand too!! Shocked

I have visions of those hovels that they house construction workers twenty to a room---

Can you tell us anything about this place? Does your application information tell you anything about who they are and where they are located---

VS

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

VS,

It gets better:

"Air ticket for your joining Duty will reimbursed to you."

http://www.mecit.edu.om/highlights.html

I haven't read "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" by Alan Sillitoe since my freshman year at Louisiana State. Don't know what has me thinking about it today.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Thanks for giving the web address. I found it quite enlightening. Had you ever heard of that most famous institution in Asia that they are affiliated with? Afraid that I never had. Most likely from the sub-continent, but hey, they are providing some of the best computer people in the world.

I was further amazed to learn that for that amount of money and limited benefits, they expect you to provide an MA in TEFL or linguistics (plus CELTA too is preferred) and two years of experience. Oh, I forgot - they also require native speakers.

All for the princely sum of $1800.

Located in Rusayl - that is out near the university - far from any of the limited diversions of Muscat. I have heard that they have opened a great new super market out in that area. Does that help you decide? Smile

VS

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

VS,

Princely sum of $1,800 minus $90 for the bus ride.

I've narrowed my choices down to either this job at MECIT or teaching 5 year olds at a Hagwan in Korea called Super Best Top Gun City Language Academy or a job mopping up stalls at the local adult video store.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

There is always the management training program with McDonald's. You still get the screaming 5 year olds and the occasional stall mopping when the cleaning crew calls in sick. And it has that added benefit that you get to spend the rest of the your life smelling like a french fry. But that is a french fry with benefits!!

VS

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

Actually the gig mopping up stalls in an adult video parlor wouldn't be so intolerable. I have a teenaged son in the house. I'm kind of used to the odor.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Presumably could even have benefits never considered in the EFL business---

VS

kaw · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2003 2:22 pm Post subject: don't do it

I'm writing in agreement with VS here (hiya) - DO NOT ACCEPT THE MECIT 'offer' (if that's what you can call it Shocked

). Am sure that both Sohar and (dare I say it) Sur University College (love the place really) are paying more. Plus you'll also get your flight paid for BEFORE you go, 30 (ish) days holiday, housing or an allowance and a FREE minibus or transport allowance. S.U.C. have been knocked in the past (ok I'll admit it - by me) but well........message me for more (the walls have ears - and eyes)
700 is a joke for Oman. Not having a Masters, they offered me even less I replied to them saying that on the money they were paying they were unlikely to get quality native English teachers.

Happy hunting

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

I have a job actually, in the Kingdom. I'm currently experiencing the prolonged now-we're-in-Ramadan Visa wait.

Been there done that anyone?
Six weeks ago I quit my job, moved out of my place, sold the car, packed my bags. I'm running out of couch space and spare bedroom privileges. The Oman thing was just a looksee for emergency back-up job.

Things were so much simpler before I got hooked on the lands of sand.

Ah for simpler times: back in the days of Kimchee and Soju, neon and smog, fishee, strangers on a bus wanting freebie lessons, mid-morning lessons with the house wipes, vegetable hawkers blaring through distorted megaphones. Those arse-biting Siberian winds chiseling at your bones at a bus stop an hour before dawn. Split shifts and shifty directors. Long legged secretaries and nervous students spinning pens in their hands, drawing air through their teeth.
Back then from application through interview and airline ticket it took six weeks tops.