Job Discussion Forums

[cosmicoctave]

I wonder if someone might help me with a couple of questions. I'm a university teacher in the States, thinking about teaching in Mexico. I saw an online posting for a position at the University De Mar near Puerto Angel, Oaxaca. They state that there "average pay" is 10500 pesos per month, potentially more depending on qualifications. There is a health plan and five weeks paid vacation as well as an end of year bonus. The schedule is five days a week, 2-3 classes/day.The qualifications desired are either a Bachelors plus TESL certification, or a Masters "in a relevant field." I have an M.A. in English with a comp/rhetoric focus, as well as 9 graduate credit hours in teaching English for Specific Purposes. I've taught college level comp for the last five years, including a semester of college-level EFL, and two semesters of non-credit ESL college/TOEFL prep through my university. Oh, and my Spanish is very basic, although I am about to embark on a crash course of improvement.

So...I'm wondering 1) Could anyone venture an opinion as to what my "market value" might be? and 2) Does anyone know the current cost of living, especially rents, in that part of Mexico? From what info I've found on the web so far, it seems that the 10500 pesos average salary may not stretch very far. I don't have any illusions about socking away a bunch of money working in Mexico, but at this point in my life I would like to at least live comfortably (not meaning luxiously--)

Thank you!

[tjteachin]

I just got back a couple of weeks ago from teaching at one of those universities in Oaxaca, UNISTMO, part of the same Oaxaca SUNEO system of universities as the university in Puerto Angel (I suggest you do a google search for SUNEO, plus UNISTMO's website is www.unistmo.edu.mx). It's an excellent university system and pays well by Mexican standards. I was getting over $11,000 a month, much higher than I ever made here in Tijuana, where salaries and the cost of living are usually higher.

Maybe you deserve to make more with your qualifications, but this is probably as high as you can go in Mexico. Also, like you indicated, it's not about getting rich. But it's a livable wage, the benefits are generous, and it's a fascinating experience with varied and beautiful cultures and scenery.

One caveat: make sure you know in advance how long you could potentially stay there. The only negative I had in this otherwise wonderful experience was that I wasn't told that I was only covering for a teacher that went on sabbatical. Then I was told I could indeed stay. Finally, 5 days before my final contract expired, the vice-rector of the university contradicted the head of the English department and said my contract wouldn't be renewed. So, just make sure going in if you'll have the option of staying more than a few months or a year, if you choose to do so.

[cosmicoctave]

Thanks for the info, tjteachin. Can you give me some rough idea about rent costs? I know you were in a different part of the state, but anything would help. Did your SUNEO university help you with finding decent affordable accomadations? You said that the figure 0f 11000 mxn/mo was "livable", so I'm trying to get an idea of how that might break down in terms of the biggest monthly expense, rent. I'm wondering if at that salary you had any money left over at the end of the month?

Thanks again

[tjteachin]

Sure! Rents were typically around 1,200. Personally I rented furnished rooms (some with cable TV and A/C or at least fans). It leaves room to save at least some $$.

Typically the university will lend you a guest apartment in the teachers' dorms while helping you find a place.

[MotherF]

Rents will vary a lot in that area, depending on what you are looking for in a place. In Puerto Angel, you actually have the option of living in a couple of other communities--Zipolite, San Agustin, even Pochulta in land, as well as Puerto Angel of course. You should be able to find something for less than 2000 pesos per month, but of course if you want a flash place with ocean view you could also pay more.

The pay they quoted you is post taxes. With an MA you'd get about 2000 more than that.

Its a very good job for Mexico--but living on the coast can actually be a lot harder than most people think. It's hot all the time and REALLY hot some of the time. Very humid most of the time.

The main draw back with the SUNEO universities is the hours. 8 to 1 or 9 to 2 AND 4 to 7.
The benefits is you have opportunity to develop yourself professionally as much or as little as you want.

[cosmicoctave]

Thank you MotherF! (great handle by the way...)

That info about rents, pay, etc., is extremely helpful.

Sounds like you are familiar with the area--have you worked around there or just traveled through? I have a friend who spent several months there but that was ten years ago or more...from some things I've read online, it sounds like tourism has ramped up somewhat around there, though not in major way.

[MotherF]

I have spent the last 13 years working for a SUNEO university. When I started it was just this one and UMAR Puerto Angel. I've known many of the teachers in the system over that time, including a good friend who used to post here under the name delacosta he worked at UMAR Puerto Angel for six years.
I have also had the opportunity to visit the coast on many occasions.
There are a lot of old threads on the system if you use the search function.

[Writer]

I taught at UMAR Puerto Angel a few years ago. Gross pay for a Bachelor's was about $10K pesos; for a Masters they were paying about $13K pesos. I liked the job but the weather was too hot and humid for me. Thank God I was told to bring only light-weight cottons! Finding a decent place to rent is hard. If you live in Zipolite or one of the other beach communities, you'll have to pay collectivos to get back and forth to work, unless you want to walk (doable from Zipolite, but not during the summer afternoons). That's 4 trips per day, since it's a split schedule. Puerto Angel is small - you can get most of your groceries there, but you have to take a collectivo to Pochutla to buy most other stuff. And be aware that the collectivos don't run on a regular basis - I've waited over an hour on Sundays to get a collectivo.

There was a hotel near the Puerto Angel beach that rented a few rooms to teachers - they had to eat out for all their meals. The catch was that they had to vacate during vacation times since they were paying a reduced rate for long-term rentals. Sorry, I don't know the name of the hotel.

Getting an FM3 was fairly easy for me since I had all the required documents apostilled in the States before I came here.

[tjteachin]

I'm not sure, but before I left Tehuantepec last month, I applied at other SUNEO systems and UMAR may have been one of them. My problem with them was that it was only for 6 months, covering for a teacher going away for a while. Since I just got off another temporary position from UNISTMO, I didn't want to jump over into the same situation. Furthermore, some of the English chairs at other universities indicated that, for whatever strange reason, they need special permission to hire a prof. from another SUNEO university.

What others said in their posts is completely accurate. The isthmus was quite hot for several months, even for me from Sunny California. Transportation could sometimes be a pain. Also, working 9-2 and then 4-7 made for long, often boring, days (you can't leave campus). On the other hand, working near Huatulco and near the beaches would've been quite nice for me.

My other colleagues usually didn't have trouble getting their FM3's. They'd have to wait around 2-3 weeks after they arrived before they could start work. I'm fortunate to have dual nationality. I started work three days after arrival. I only needed to rush to get my degree apostilled the same day of my flight there.

[ls650]

I worked at UMar Huatulco from 2004 until 2007.

Pros:
- young adult students, generally very nice to work with
- lots of freedom to do what you want in the classroom
- reliable paycheque every two weeks, decent pay by local standards
- plenty of beaches, and relaxed laid-back atmosphere

Cons:
- hot and very humid, some people can't take it
- not a lot of teaching resources and materials
- split-shift (8 AM-1 PM, followed by 4 PM-7 PM)
- outside of beach fun, not a lot of culture, art, history
- administration can be rather pedantic and bureaucratic

I think I was well-treated and liked living there, and would be willing to return. Most teachers are young, looking for excitement, get bored of the beach after a year, and move on.

YMMV...