How my non-native speaking mother can find work

[pablo2752 106]

Let me preface that my mother is a green card holder who already has a managerial job in a large mall over 2 years, and as a sales associate 3 years before that. 

Recently there was a huge wave of layoff in her company(25% of total workforce) and fortunately she wasn't one of them - strange how life works, right? She however thinks that this company isnt going to have a bright future anytime soon, and there might be another layoff in some distant future. Her English isn't completely broken and functional enough to prove her competence, but it is not good enough to go higher up. 

 

I was wondering, what kind of jobs would be good for her if she loses her current job? She does have a college degree in physics(albeit she never pursued any career in physics which she regrets sorely) and used to teach in middle school loooong time ago. She is a Korean, by the way, but my area doesn't have many Koreans to begin with ,so I thought her Korean will be useful. She doesn't want to work in Asian markets or any jobs within Asian-immigrant community due to its gossipy nature.

 

I sound like rambling, sorry, but I just want to see what she can do in the future. She is 57, btw.  

[Georgia16 2,858]

Grocery store maybe?

 

Would suggest you look into English classes for her while she waits for new job to help her improve and that would probably help her job opportunities (and life here) in the future as well.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

7 minutes ago, pablo2752 said:

Let me preface that my mother is a green card holder who already has a managerial job in a large mall over 2 years, and as a sales associate 3 years before that. 

Recently there was a huge wave of layoff in her company(25% of total workforce) and fortunately she wasn't one of them - strange how life works, right? She however thinks that this company isnt going to have a bright future anytime soon, and there might be another layoff in some distant future. Her English isn't completely broken and functional enough to prove her competence, but it is not good enough to go higher up. 

 

I was wondering, what kind of jobs would be good for her if she loses her current job? She does have a college degree in physics(albeit she never pursued any career in physics which she regrets sorely) and used to teach in middle school loooong time ago. She is a Korean, by the way, but my area doesn't have many Koreans to begin with ,so I thought her Korean will be useful. She doesn't want to work in Asian markets or any jobs within Asian-immigrant community due to its gossipy nature.

 

I sound like rambling, sorry, but I just want to see what she can do in the future. She is 57, btw.  

What about a lateral transfer to another managerial job in a mall or sales associate? Is she good with technology; would she be able to teach Korean via the internet (search indeed to see if people are looking for Korean tutors) ? Her college degree, albeit she hasn't pursued a career, most likely would not transfer to a US Bachelors/Masters level/whatever the equivalent she received in Korea unfortunately; so that may be a dead end. Non Asian grocery store, housekeeping, Amazon, assembler position, a store associate, etc are also options. Husband worked as an assembler at a medical device company and he said it was like the United Nations- people from all over with all levels of English and all ages- however she may not enjoy the repetitive work.

I suggest having her practice her English language with free apps such as Duolingo and you communicating to her only in English; this will improve her career aspects and quality of life in the US. She can also take English courses at a community college or start a certificate program if she wants to do something like home health aid or CNA for example. 

[databit 328]

Only speak to her in English from now on. Only respond to her if she speaks English to you. You will be surprised what a push this will be for her.

[pablo2752 106]

59 minutes ago, databit said:

Only speak to her in English from now on. Only respond to her if she speaks English to you. You will be surprised what a push this will be for her.

This has been tried and ended with explosive arguments. You have no idea how stubborn Asians moms can be. 

[databit 328]

But you as her son must be at least half as stubborn! Haha

[millefleur 5,046]

On 7/27/2020 at 4:01 PM, pablo2752 said:

This has been tried and ended with explosive arguments. You have no idea how stubborn Asians moms can be. 

I'm sorry to hear that, has she considered an ESL tutor? She might have to make a choice between that and working with the Korean speaking community if she feels the language barrier is holding her back.

[remotercharm 31]

maybe the post office.

[SalishSea 17,819]

How about teaching?  In many school districts, a person can become a substitute teacher with just a degree vs a teaching credential.