Job Discussion Forums

tudodude · Joined: 08 Mar 2007 Posts: 82

As the years blaze by and my lack of degree stops me getting the required paper work for visas in various country, jobs are mine but I can't get the visas........ Time to ask, in tefl................ Does no degree mean no future??

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject:

Everybody has a future.

Did you mean a good future?
Wink

Seriously-

Not having a degree in this field is a BIG handicap. No way around it.

I've known successful teachers without degrees- but few. And most of them, if they're economically successful, have either gotten lucky or started a business. (Or both.)

What quals do you have? Maybe it's time to add a degree? Or a diploma? Or look into non-degree quals that will help you? Very occasionally, some Masters programs will accept you if you demonstrate equivalent knowledge to a degree...

THere's always a way. But more qualifications, if you get good ones, does frequently mean more opportunities.

Best,
Justin

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

Contribution removed by author.

Chancellor · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:43 pm Post subject: Re: NO DEGREE = NO FUTURE

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

No degree usually means no work visa, leading to no job. There are workarounds, but as others have mentioned, a stable long-term profitable future is not usually in the cards, perhaps now more than ever.

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

Chancellor · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: NO DEGREE = NO FUTURE

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

To the OP, if you're older, some countries might look past your lack of degree if you have life experience. I know that for a fact, Indonesia and China do.

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:53 pm Post subject:

Several postings have been deleted for being off topic, insulting, flaming and otherwise inappropriate for this board. Those responsible have been sanctioned.

Please stay on topic, enjoy yourself and avoid a sanction all at the same time. Smile

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 259

My degree is superfluous in reality but still opens doors for me. If you do get an MA + CElTA/tefl etc why not lie about a batchelors. Say you mislaid it. They will assume you have one if you have a masters. After all nobody checks i have O'level English when i already have A'level English.

On the other hand i would take a bachelors in something related or even interesting like modern languages. You can defer student loans forever. The University of Sunderland does a BA in TESOL now so other colleges must do the same. With one of those you will be on higher wages. I would do a language degree in whichever country you want to live and work in.

Sorry if your not from the UK as other countries like the USA have different problems such as no student loans so taking a degree might be more difficult.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

You'll find people do check for the Bachelors before the Masters in the Gulf (which is fun for those with degrees from the older Scottish Universities).

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

wfh · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 30

Junka · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 14

Personally, apart from very specific degrees like law or medicine I wouldn't waste the 3/4 years on a non-specific degree.

It's fine if your still college age but honestly there are a world of trade qualifications which will allow you to work legally in far away locations (and at home! ) that will bring you far more money than any ESL job ever will.

Anything from being a coded welder, through saturation diving and flying airplanes.