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boomerexpat
Joined: 15 Apr 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Mexico
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 Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:08 am Post subject: Age and teaching in Mexico City |
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Me: 58, MBA, newly awarded TEFL, long-time exec in Silicon Valley with 16 years of exp coaching execs and training teams on sales, communication, marketing, research, etc. Been at big companies like Apple but for last 12 years a serial entrepreneur and management consultant.
I'm over in Thailand now and while Asians revere age they want it to know its place - playing with the grand kids not mucking about in the business world.
I can get teaching jobs here in Asia but so far it seems as though they are the less desirable ones due to city, neighborhood, or school. In Asia, when they have a choice (e.g., hot locations like Bangkok or Shanghai) they want young. Even the top unis will often list 40 as the upper age for a PhD hire.
I'm giving it another month but then will consider moving to grayer (accepting) pastures. Which brings me to Mexico City.
Many have suggested that there is less age discrimination in Mexico.
1. Is that really true is it more of a case where they should want you but they don't want you and will only take you if there are no other options?
2. I've read in another thread that 59 seems to be the cutoff for gov colleges. Is this widespread?
3. How about private colleges?
4. Do biz people prefer younger people teaching them and their employees? That is the case apparently in Thailand.
5. Any thoughts on how to use age as an advantage in DF?
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Tretyakovskii
Joined: 14 Aug 2009
Posts: 462
Location: Cancun, Mexico
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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| I've read in another thread that 59 seems to be the cutoff for gov colleges. |
See the thread, "Truth", second to last post, at this moment. I work for a government university.
I think everyone recognizes that, at a certain age, which may differ from one person to another, we will become less employable. I think it's important not to focus on that, but on the positives we can bring to the workplace, regardless of age.
| Quote: |
| Me: 58, MBA, newly awarded TEFL, long-time exec in Silicon Valley with 16 years of exp coaching execs and training teams on sales, communication, marketing, research, etc. Been at big companies like Apple but for last 12 years a serial entrepreneur and management consultant. |
See what I mean? Your training experience, and other of your life experiences could make you an ideal candidate, in many people's minds.
It will be up to you to cultivate your opportunities, and let good fortune fill in the rest. |
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mejms
Joined: 04 Jan 2010
Posts: 390
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Me: 58, MBA, newly awarded TEFL, long-time exec in Silicon Valley with 16 years of exp coaching execs and training teams on sales, communication, marketing, research, etc. Been at big companies like Apple but for last 12 years a serial entrepreneur and management consultant. |
If you have had that type of serious business and entrepreneurial success, I imagine that you're coming to Mexico to teach English for the experience itself and you just want to be able to make ends meet in a job while you're here.
Truth be told, your work experience will not be valued here nearly as much as in the US, even with job opportunities scarce there. Mexico is a sort of no-man's land, where people without much to offer are able to move in and make a name for their business. This is especially true in private education across the board, which has skyrocketed here in the last decade.
I think your best shot will be finding work at a university, private or public if possible. While Business English classes might be a good alternative, it won't always be steady work and a steady salary. On top of that, in many cases you won't get paid vacation (but you probably will be able to take off a week or two when you'd like without pay). International House in Mexico City might be a good fit for you as well. I've heard positive things for the most part about them in comparison to most, but be prepared for lots of subway and bus rides.
As I said, though, you're entering not only into a different country but a different world when it comes to teaching English. Don't be surprised that with all your experience in Silicon Valley, you'll be teaching Business English in companies side by side with backpacking kids.[/quote] |
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EFLeducator
Joined: 16 Dec 2011
Posts: 595
Location: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: Age and teaching in Mexico City |
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| boomerexpat wrote: |
| Me: 58, MBA, newly awarded TEFL, long-time exec in Silicon Valley with 16 years of exp coaching execs and training teams on sales, communication, marketing, research, etc. Been at big companies like Apple but for last 12 years a serial entrepreneur and management consultant. |
So, WHY do you want to get into TEFLing?????
| boomerexpat wrote: |
| Many have suggested that there is less age discrimination in Mexico. |
While there MAY be some exceptions too the rule, age discrimination is alive and well in Mexico City. PM me if you'd like details. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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| If you have had that type of serious business and entrepreneurial success, I imagine that you're coming to Mexico to teach English for the experience itself and you just want to be able to make ends meet in a job while you're here. |
Makes me think the OP would have a lot more success working on his own in running sales/marketing courses rather than straight EFL. Or a combination of both. I've seen it done well by a couple of people but it takes a lot of networking time to pay out. I'm assuming there's a desire here for a good income and not just something to do to pass the time.
| Quote: |
| While there MAY be some exceptions too (?) the rule, age discrimination is alive and well in Mexico City. |
It lurks around every corner, ready to POUNCE! Be careful, or you'll be NEXT... |
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mejms
Joined: 04 Jan 2010
Posts: 390
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Makes me think the OP would have a lot more success working on his own in running sales/marketing courses rather than straight EFL. Or a combination of both. I've seen it done well by a couple of people but it takes a lot of networking time to pay out. I'm assuming there's a desire here for a good income and not just something to do to pass the time. |
Easier said than done. Arriving to a foreign country, not being able to speak the language (I think), not having any contacts, and trying to open a sort of consulting business all on your own...
It's like saying that my well-educated, intelligent, thoughtful, decisive, ethical neighbor would make a great president! |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Very true...the only times I've seen it done were with people well established in Mexico City. A longer-term project to be sure. |
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boomerexpat
Joined: 15 Apr 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Mexico
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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[/quote]
Easier said than done. Arriving to a foreign country, not being able to speak the language (I think), not having any contacts, and trying to open a sort of consulting business all on your own...[/quote]
Agree. It is hard enough to do that type of networking where you speak the language and have roots.
It seems like I might be getting into a catch 22 in DF.
Either - Better fit for biz English or teaching marketing but don't have the connections or lang skills to do that for quite a while at any sales vol.
Or, better fit for uni but too old and don't have teaching exp.
I want to be able to generate rev enough to live off of modestly (at least 10K month) within 4 months of arriving.
Humm....maybe I'll just try out for the NBA. |
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