Job Discussion Forums

run_evan · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

Hi All,

I'm about to graduate (in 10 days) with a Bachelors in English from a state university. I plan on heading to China (I've previously lived in Chengdu for a year studying abroad, so it wont be my first time), to teach English for the upcoming semester in China which I believe starts around the end of Feb or first week of March.

My problem is that I've spoken with my University and they said that we will be sent our diplomas THREE MONTHS after graduation. Seeing as how schools and the visa process require the diploma, this seems to present a huge problem.

I let my University know that I need my diploma for visa purposes and they indicated that they would *try* to get it to me early (which I would be a fool to count on), or in the worst case scenario they would issue me a "certificate of graduation"...i've never actually seen one of those so I don't know what it looks like.

Have any of you ever encountered this? Is it possible for a school in China or the visa office to accept a sealed transcript or one of these "certificates of graduation" so that I can get employment?

I'm dreading applying for a job only to have to tell my potential employer, "Yes, I've completed my degree, but they just haven't sent it to me in the mail yet."

I really hope that this is a problem that others have seen and that there is a known resolution to.

Any information is appreciated!

thx,
-Evan

Ms Bean · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 110 Location: Wilmington

Talk to the dean of your college or the chancellor of your university. This CAN speed things along. Ask your prospective Chinese employer if it will accept a letter from your college in lieu of your degree.

This is probably the best route. I can't imagine any dean or chancellor refusing to help you. That's what they're there for.

Good luck.

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

Go to your university's registrar office and ask for your diploma to be expedited. My university would do this for a fee.

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

Also, ask your prospective Chinese employer if a transcript of your final grades is acceptable.

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

In my case, I was a recent TESOL M.Ed graduate and made the same error back in 2003. I came to China without my Master's degree and only had a letter of completion from my university and a "Meets all requirements for a Master's degree." stamped on my original transcripts.

I was told that this was accepted but I would be starting under a lower salary level. The salary was supposed to increase when the actual physical diploma could be shown.

In a few months my university sent my diploma, along with a new transcript with an official graduation date. However, I was told I signed the contract and this bound me to the lower salary levels.

I ended up with higher hours with no pay increases because I was the only M.Ed teacher at that institution. I also had 2-years of home-country teaching experience. I was told in the next contract I would receive compensation and better teaching hours.

SO BEWARE my lesson learned: Do not let them talk you into a contract that will punish you because you just graduated.

You must insure they do not try to lump you into the non-degree group which often gets "used and abused."

If the school will not accept, transcripts, a letter of completion from your university and reference contact numbers that show you have completed your degree, pick another school.

You might get short-changed on your contract.

El Macho · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 200

I'm having a similar problem with my diploma. I'll graduate in March, but it can take 10 weeks for diplomas to arrive. I went to my school's "Degree Checkout" office (I imagine y'all have something similar) and asked them if anything could be done to speed up the process. They told me that diplomas usually arrive quickly for people who don't graduate in June because there are less diplomas to print, and that my transcripts would indicate that I'd earned the degree starting the day after grades are submitted. So if nothing else you should immediately have official transcripts that show you're a degree holder.

Also, consider ordering a second copy of your diploma that you can take with you abroad. I paid for one since it was only $12 more. Figured it was better to have an extra on hand than be stuck in a situation where I need it and have to wait 10 weeks.

Good luck!

killian · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:28 am Post subject:

yep. been there. felt it.

had a great job all lined up in china. they needed my "real" diploma to get the paperwork rolling. as a december grad, my diploma would be ready in the early summer. what to do? they couldn't hire me w/o the diploma. my uni. threw together a piece of paper saying that i was indeed a grad. not surprisingly, that didn't fly withthe chinese bureaucrats.

i went to taiwan and taught on the wrong visa for six months, earned more money than the great job in china and thus began my many years in taiwan.

Ms Bean · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 110 Location: Wilmington

Ms Bean · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 110 Location: Wilmington

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

run_evan · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

Thank you to everyone for these great responses. I'm going to follow up with my school and see what else can be done to get the diploma issued somewhat faster.

If that doesn't work, I'll try to get something like a certificate that a school in China may accept. It's worth a try.

And if that all fails, maybe I'll go somewhere other than China for my first semester teaching.

Again, thanks to all. Whatever happens, I'll update this thread to let you all know.

all the best,
-Evan

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

Just a note,
The government offices (READ: LABOR and VISA OFFICES) here are rather stringent on what document they will accept. IF YOU PLAN TO USE ANYTHING BUT YOUR DIPLOMA FOR WORK PERMIT APPLICATIONS YOU MAY LIKELY BE TURNED DOWN. If your school/employer assures you otherwise, they are likely being less than honest as:
a) They have never dealt with your case before
b) What documents the government office accepts may depend on who happens to be at the window that day.

If your employer has sent you a Z-VISA application form they may have forged a university degree 'on your behalf' without telling you. In a rapidly changing country like China, the government could one day suddenly decide to crack down on illegal foreigners, getting caught with a fake degree (LYING TO GOVERNMENT) could land you in trouble.

Any sort of extra salary benefits you would receive for a specific type of degree or higher-studies diploma is most likely between you and the school. The school does not "need" your degree to write a higher salary into the contract.