Job Search. Being back at square one.

[no one 0]

I actually found my ESL teaching job (and two other part-time jobs) on the local non-profit listserv I mentioned that Rhode Islanders use as an alternative to Idealist. Oh, no...we do have classroom management issues! Sometimes it gets quite exciting! Especially with the population I work with...low-income, mostly single mothers who are receiving government benefits. As part of their welfare package, they have to be enrolled in some sort of educational program to continue receiving their benefits. The most difficult students I've had are young women in their early 20s who have three or more kids and have never worked in their lives, so they're not able or willing to take the classes seriously.

But mostly my students are joys to work with....try checking out adult ed nonprofits...they usually have the infrastructure to support you and mostly pay pretty well. Many places only offer ESL classes as part of what they do, so often the teacher receives no support, no materials etc.

LMAO! Yeah, I can see where there can be classroom management issues How do you deal with these not-quite-adults? I worked with high school kids and it was quite a challenge (but rewarding)!

Thanks again for your advice.

[no one 0]

Hi Em,

Good luck on your job search. Oh, and I did reply to your PM...see your VJ PM messages for the reply. Yes, I did volunteered in teaching adults and children ESL in Canada for a couple of years. In fact, I even wrote an article that was published in the school paper about that teaching experience. Remind me to PM the link of the article to you if you want to read about it sometime.

As for my experiences here in the USA, well, I am currently volunteering teaching children at a local church here. I taught in the summer at camp, and I am still teaching every week on a regular basis. As well, I am helping out with other church related activities. On the side, I am also writing and travelling around the area. Meanwhile, I'll just enjoy my married life here too, a day at a time. I think "volunteer teacher", "writer" and "homemaker" is sufficient for employment purposes (even though I don't get paid by money, I get paid by seeing how happy others are in being helped out).

That's good that you can work in small groups and one on one situations. A lot of people are happier in this type of more private and individualized situation. I'm glad that you are happy working this way too. As I said before, the happier you are working at something, the less it seems like stressful work. Thus, you get paid in more happiness instead of more money...

Ant

Got your PM.

I wish I didn't have to worry about money and work at only what makes me happy! Jas and I want to start a family a few years down the road and I'm trying hard to balance reality with what-I-want.

You know how many of our peers (esp our Asian friends) are all about climbing the ladder? I have to defend my choices on "happiness vs money/prestige" with them all the time. *sighs*

[antda 13]

Hi Em,

Thanks for your reply to the thread and looking forward to your reply via PM too. Yeah, I agree, the world would be better if we didn't have to worry about money and do what makes us happy. But refering to what you said, sad to say, we live in a materialistic society, where "money buys happiness" (which in reality it doesn't).

Sigh, I wish more people in this world can see beyond money and materialistic means, that's all. Yes, I know, people have told me to "get real", and try to see money as positive. In my opinion, I don't think so, as I really do think negatively that too much money is "the root of all evil". I figure that as long as one has enough to cover their basic needs (food, water, shelter, health, family), and cut down on non-essential needs, then that is all that matters regarding money. Anything else is just a waste and leads to more materialism.

Anyways, good luck in your future plans with Jas and the rest of your family.

As for Asian society, I never did understand about their society. And frankly, I do not associate with most of them nor do I identify with any of them, as to tell you the truth, all they think about is the "money/prestige" thing. For example, New Year's to them is "Be prosperous", instead of "spending time with family and friends". I'm guessing that you are on the "happiness" side of the fence with those people (I'm on this "happiness" side of the debate too), which is a good non-Asian attitude to take. Oh, I can go on and on about what I don't like about Asian people and Asian society too (believe me, there are more issues than the money thing too), but I think I'll better stop here, as I don't want any other VJers posting angry messages about this.

Ant

Got your PM.

I wish I didn't have to worry about money and work at only what makes me happy! Jas and I want to start a family a few years down the road and I'm trying hard to balance reality with what-I-want.

You know how many of our peers (esp our Asian friends) are all about climbing the ladder? I have to defend my choices on "happiness vs money/prestige" with them all the time. *sighs*

[no one 0]

As for Asian society, I never did understand about their society. And frankly, I do not associate with most of them nor do I identify with any of them, as to tell you the truth, all they think about is the "money/prestige" thing. For example, New Year's to them is "Be prosperous", instead of "spending time with family and friends". I'm guessing that you are on the "happiness" side of the fence with those people (I'm on this "happiness" side of the debate too), which is a good non-Asian attitude to take. Oh, I can go on and on about what I don't like about Asian people and Asian society too (believe me, there are more issues than the money thing too), but I think I'll better stop here, as I don't want any other VJers posting angry messages about this.

Ant

Balance's the key Sometimes I am ashamed of my Asian roots (because of the poor representatives out there), but there are loads of good in the Chinese culture too. You know, values like strong family ties, respect for your elders, crazy work ethics, etc.

Oh, and you know that strict parenting Chinese parents do (e.g. beat their kids, negative reinforcement)? In some ways, I think that works better than the N. American tradition of lax parenting... BUT at the same time, I envy the open communication Jason has with *his* family, because my parents and I just don't talk about personal things... you know, things like relationships, sex, or even how I'm doing at work (uhhh, trying to stay on the topic of employment here! ) So, yeah, a happy medium needs to be found.

[antda 13]

Hi Em,

Like you, I am ashamed of Asian society. Regardless of the poor examples out there, I think that Asian soceity as a whole needs to make some major changes. But then again, one can't change a society/culture, in a day. Nevertheless, changes should still be made towards a more postive outlook for this society/culture...

I agree too, balance is the key to everything in life. If that is the case, then I say this of Asian culture, based on your comments:

1) While strong family ties are good, there is a thing as too strong of a family tie, meaning that one is too dependent on family and not being allowed to grow independently earlier than expected (For example, many Asians stay with their parents until age 30 (or any other higher age), even though they are working and can afford to be on their own. Does that teach them responsibility and give them the tools to survive on their own in the world without their parents' help? No.)

2) Respect is both ways. So regardless of one's age, or anything else in life, one should be respected no matter what. While one should respect their elders, the elders should respect the young people too (Now tell me, how many Asian elders respect the young, other than in taking advantage of them for their own selfish intentions?).

3) It is good to work, yes. But when one works too hard, they become a "workholic". This results in neglecting family, friends, and other more important life obligations. Then there is this thing about being too competitive in the workplace (In Asian society, that would be "keeping up with the Lees, Wongs, Chans, Hos, and any other Asian surnames"). The competition in the workplace is unhealthy and makes for problems in other life areas that are more important, such as spending time with family and having time to relax for oneself.

4) Although some discipline is good, too much discipline and strict parenting is downright abusive. The abused kids end up with more problems down the road, becoming withdrawn, scared, having low self esteem, being physically harmed, and abusing other kids. (Sorry, this "Asian abuse" to children doesn't make sense). I agree, with the open communication and postive reinforcement that North American society has more to offer in terms of parenting. After all, parenting is important, and children should be treated equally, with respect, and feel good about themselves in the family and in soceity.

Ant (Balanced...In a postive North American way....)

Balance's the key Sometimes I am ashamed of my Asian roots (because of the poor representatives out there), but there are loads of good in the Chinese culture too. You know, values like strong family ties, respect for your elders, crazy work ethics, etc.

Oh, and you know that strict parenting Chinese parents do (e.g. beat their kids, negative reinforcement)? In some ways, I think that works better than the N. American tradition of lax parenting... BUT at the same time, I envy the open communication Jason has with *his* family, because my parents and I just don't talk about personal things... you know, things like relationships, sex, or even how I'm doing at work (uhhh, trying to stay on the topic of employment here! ) So, yeah, a happy medium needs to be found.

Edited February 14, 2007 by antocru

[Anna C. 4]

Sometimes you have to consider moving. We tried everything here in NC but there are simply no jobs in my area of expertise, whereas there are tons of those in the tristate and bay areas. So we will move to San Francisco! People in Charlotte work as sales associate with college degree because there are only jobs for people with degrees who have at least 8 years of experience.... No entry level jobs. cry!

Well, now we move, yuppi

Good luck and really consider moving if nothing moves even after months of job search!

[no one 0]

Sometimes you have to consider moving. We tried everything here in NC but there are simply no jobs in my area of expertise, whereas there are tons of those in the tristate and bay areas. So we will move to San Francisco! People in Charlotte work as sales associate with college degree because there are only jobs for people with degrees who have at least 8 years of experience.... No entry level jobs. cry!

Well, now we move, yuppi

Good luck and really consider moving if nothing moves even after months of job search!

Will you be moving to SF itself, or a nearby town? It'd be nice to get to know more people on VJ

Thanks for the "good luck" -- I'll need it. There just isn't a lot of jobs here in this small town for an uncertified teacher like me. There are only TWO high schools here! In the city, there are jobs a-plenty, but it's an hour's drive from here... longer during rush hour. So I'm going to rough it out and if I'm really desperate, I'll work at jobs outside my field until other opportunities come up.

Moving is not really an option for us. One of the major reasons I'd moved to the U.S. is because of my husband's job here, otherwise I'd be happily making good money back in Canada, even as a new teacher!