Job Discussion Forums

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

The recent posts that speculate on the future of the EFL industry are interesting. Opinions vary, but these posts show the 'fallibility' of this industry, just like any other. Things will probably be good for a long time to come, but the posts have helped me be a little less complacement.

When the job market's good, and in EFL overseas it's damn good, it's easy to be complacent. But this can't always be the case. So, on that note, what career changes could you make in the future? People change careers at least 4-5 times in their life, it's not such a bad idea.

I've thought of several. One is to get a MEd and teach a subject in the Canadian school sysem when the door of opportunity opens further. Right now it's still quite competitive as the baby boomers haven't fully retired yet. Another is to go into the tourism industry and work with trip planning. Another possibility is transportation and GIS. Another would be newspaper editing. Yet another would be teaching another language, once my Chinese improves.

How about others?

Steve

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I'm kinda locked into this field for a while. Entirely by choice, of course. The biggest career change that I see myself making is going back to the States and switching to ESL. I may end up getting a K-12 credential, even though I much prefer teaching adults. I've thought about moving into designing materials after a while, but to me that's still part of the same field.

If the whole industry, EFL and ESL, suddenly goes down the toilet, then I start training for my dream job: sky-diving instructor.

d

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I'm kinda stuck in this field aswell. It's all I've really done and I can't imagine doing anything else. If this whole thing were to finish then it would be something to do with tourism, but I don't know what.

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

I taught at a language school, now am at an english kindergarten. In the summer I'll be looking for a job in a language school.
I think the nice thing about TEFL is that you can change countries and teach different ages and levels.
I'd like to get a PGCE and then maybe teach in a Christian school or international school. I realy enjoy living overseas.

Guest · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:26 pm Post subject: CAREER CHANGES?

Before coming to China seven months ago I was in the same JOB for the same BOSS for 25 years! I think he is still looking under desks to see if I am hiding there! He cannot believe that I left him and came here.

When I go back to Australia for a few weeks at the end of June, I told him I expect to work about 3 days a week for him for around 6 weeks to earn some money for the Orphans. He was too stunned to reply but I know he cannot refuse me.

So, I think my career change was a pretty big one, considering I not only changed career but country at the same time.

Leaving a job and the people after 25 years, is a bit like getting a divorce - you have withdrawal symptoms. However, I am lucky as I had no problems because I stepped into a great School and into the hearts of some great Orphans.

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

I did a bit of a 360 with my career as well but in my case, it was due to circumstances:

I worked for 4 years as a computer consultant in the US (atlanta) and then the stock market crashed... I tried a couple of different jobs here and there but it was not going anywhere.. then, 9/11 hit and homeland security came into effect...thye gave my wife hell as far as dealing with her immigration paperwork so we packed and moved... did 5 months in Morocco and now we're in China... lovin' it

mehrlin26 · Joined: 20 Feb 2004 Posts: 52 Location: South Korea

This topic WHAT TO DO NEXT occupies a lot of my free time. It�s not that my job is bad but there are other things I want to do with my day to day life.

I�ve heard the civil service mentioned as an option. Unfortunately, I�m not sure that would be the right choice. So I keep stumbling along as usual. Confused

Lanza-Armonia · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 10:34 am Post subject:

In my personal opinion, I don't know why anyone under a certain age would wanna give this up. I mean, we get paid for doing bugger all, seeing corners of the world other only dream to see and we get paid
doing it. Yeah, one time or another TEFL is gunna settle down, but peeps with experience are gunna get jobs in remote countries others can only dream of. Enjoy life, and stop FUCKING COMPLAINING!

LA <licking arses>

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

If I wasn't teaching, maybe something in writing or curriculum development. I've written a couple of courses and it was fun, but i think you need to teach simultaneously to test your course and see how it is.

This is already my second career. My first was in fitness when I was a personal trainer.
I don't plan on leaving this field anytime soon.

Capergirl · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 1:35 pm Post subject:

If I weren't teaching ESL, I'd be teaching English in some other capacity, whether in public school or university (depending on how far I get with my credentials later in life). I am hoping to stay with ESL for a long time, however. Eventually, I'd like to branch off into other related things, like writing or curriculum development (as Gordon said) and possibly even opening my own school.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

LA--

Speak for yourself!! I most certainly am not doing "bugger all."

d

khmerhit · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject:

Regards,
khmerhit