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Posts: 136

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Q: At which point in your career would you leave China?

Do you think there is ever a point in your career during which you should go work at home, if you ever intend to?

 

I don't know if that makes sense, but basically if you work in China for 10+ years and then want to go back to work at home, will there be a problem? Or 20+ years? Or 30+ years? 

 

I just get a lot of criticism from relatives at home that I shouldn't stay out here for too long, and that I should come home to build my career. Now I know that of course this depends on the career track you want and the job you have, but if you are working in your chosen field, surely there is no problem working in China for a while? I'm going on three years now, and the relatives keep getting pushier...

9 years 23 weeks ago in  Business & Jobs - China

 
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I can relate.  Have been here 3+ years.  And have been quite fortunate with good jobs and connections.  Life is pretty easy.  However, I believe at this point it would be wise to return home soon.  Don't want to get too used to this easy lifestyle. Feeling ambition being drained away.

ironman510:

Where are you from? Could you easily get a job in your home country without arrogantly saying: No problem of course I can? I'm an IT but been a teacher for 13 years in Asia. If I returned to the U.S there would be lines of people going for the same job that I would  apply for, I know I tried last year for fun, just to test the market back home. Too many job seekers and not enough jobs in the U.S. I'll be staying & saving here, (wisely.)

9 years 23 weeks ago
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tbh66:

Sorry for you, 13 years!  IT has changed so much.  In this amount of time I am Lao ban!

9 years 23 weeks ago
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tbh66:

More like tinman

9 years 23 weeks ago
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9 years 23 weeks ago
 
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Posts: 164

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I can relate.  Have been here 3+ years.  And have been quite fortunate with good jobs and connections.  Life is pretty easy.  However, I believe at this point it would be wise to return home soon.  Don't want to get too used to this easy lifestyle. Feeling ambition being drained away.

ironman510:

Where are you from? Could you easily get a job in your home country without arrogantly saying: No problem of course I can? I'm an IT but been a teacher for 13 years in Asia. If I returned to the U.S there would be lines of people going for the same job that I would  apply for, I know I tried last year for fun, just to test the market back home. Too many job seekers and not enough jobs in the U.S. I'll be staying & saving here, (wisely.)

9 years 23 weeks ago
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tbh66:

Sorry for you, 13 years!  IT has changed so much.  In this amount of time I am Lao ban!

9 years 23 weeks ago
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tbh66:

More like tinman

9 years 23 weeks ago
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9 years 23 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2878

Shifu

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Just depends what you are doing. I think a good rule of thumb is to honestly ask yourself if your job only exists because you live in China, or whether you can get ahead doing the same thing back home. 

 

if you're motivated you can make OK money in education here, but if you're not a qualified teacher in the west it doesn't matter if you're making 60-70K a year doing it here, you move back home and you're working at starbucks.

 

The reason a smart, ambitious person is in a developing country is because they had an opportunity to break into a field they want to be in...either for more money or to get themselves on the ladder.

dongbeiren:

Expat, I think you make a lot of good points all around. As for the education industry from my observations and limited experience it is POSSIBLE although an uphill climb to turn that into something solid (though not necessarily transferrable to back home and still not a "career" in the traditional sense). While the ceiling in the education industry is not that high (your figures sound about right) a person could save quite a bit of money in China earning that much. If that money is invested prudently, a person could set up a solid future. Now, most people in the education field here earn significantly less than that and even those at the top often lack real pensions and health benefits. The older people I've seen who can make a go of it 1) have tremendous financial discipline by saving a large percent of  income and therefore foregoing a lot of luxuries 2)  plan to retire in a developing country or live very simply back home and 3) don't get seriously sick. Now even with all of the above a person faces the risk of burning out and wanting a normal life after teaching for 10 years and as you say, their options will be severely restricted. To be honest, I think a lot of people who end up teaching in China really don't think of it as a  career but more of a lifestyle and a way to escape from regular life back home. I've noticed a lot of short sighted or live for the moment attitudes and a general antipathy towards the 9-5 lifestyle either because people couldn't hack it back home or really don't dig that lifestyle. 

9 years 23 weeks ago
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pbrown22:

Very good analysis there.  If you want to work in education here you should strongly consider to get certified back in your home country to teach a subject.  That way you can earn more money here and it may be more likely to get a job back home if you need to return. 

 

Just teaching English here is not transferrable to much of anything back home.  Don't need to feel bad though as if you can save well over a number of years and invest it its still possible to do better financially than most folks back home  With that maybe you can find some business opportunity. 

9 years 23 weeks ago
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9 years 23 weeks ago
 
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I suspect where most of the problem comes from is that most of our friends and relatives only view this as some sort of an adventure, and a 'career' is something you have back home. A career is something stable, where you build your home, have your family and care, etc..

 

So, anything you do here isn't really a 'career'.

 

What you decide your career is, and where you should be building it, is up to you!

9 years 23 weeks ago
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9 years 23 weeks ago
 
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Now. 

 

 

ilcornalito:

I'm trying really hard to get out of here, been looking for a job outside for about 1 year now and it's not an easy matter mostly because of my predominant experience in the Chinese market. I'm afraid staying here longer will make things even more difficult for me, personally I don't want to be stuck in China forever. 

9 years 23 weeks ago
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expatlife26:

What line of work are you in?

 

As long as you're doing something that is done by respectable people in the west you should be OK, and it's just a matter of gaining enough experience to be competitive for a mid-level position based on your exp here.

 

If you're stuck in something dead end you should definitely be making an exit plan because you're right. Somebody that comes fresh from college at 22, does nothing but teach ESL for 8 years is now 30 with no real experience.

9 years 23 weeks ago
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ilcornalito:

Oh, it's not a dead end for my career here, in fact I can develop it further than anywhere else. My choice is not about my career but my life, in my time in China I still have no real friends as back home and I haven't had any girlfriend. I find the cultural differences are too huge to make a long term life here and even though I'm 34 years old with an executive position in an American company I don't see anything else except work, beers and prostitutes happening for me here. Which is ok for a while but after sometime I wish I could get more out of life than that. Maybe I just miss my parents, brother and friends at home. 

 

 

9 years 23 weeks ago
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9 years 23 weeks ago
 
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I would leave if my career was hinting or shifting towards becoming and unwilling a P.O.W.

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9 years 23 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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For me, it was when I decided to move on with my life. China was fine, but I was in a holding pattern. I wanted a place that I could not only lay down roots and start a family but also where I could become part of a community and allow my career to grow. I have that now, and I didn't have to give up teaching ESL. I'm glad I spent the time that I did in China, but I knew when it was time to move on and I'm glad I did.

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9 years 23 weeks ago
 
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For me, I will just test the waters and see if there is something worthwhile to go back to.  If not, I will keep improving myself through education, work experience and added skills until there is.  I don't want to go back and use up my savings sitting at home waiting for that career back home to come to me.  I also don't want to take a low skill minimum wage type job to just prevent that from happening.  Remember, your last job is usually your greatest leverage when looking for a new one.

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9 years 23 weeks ago
 
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I am going to start an accounting and management degree online. I studied English literature, history and philosophy. It isn't much use for working although I had plenty of work experience in machinery and construction.

 

I have a nice Chinese girlfriend, but her life is programmed by her relatives who have no idea about money, except that you need to worship it and kiss the arses of those who have it. If I could take her out, I'd do it in a nano-second.

 

I wouldn't necessarily go home, I'd just go somewhere else. Maybe Singapore or Hong Kong.

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9 years 23 weeks ago
 
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At the point that I can transfer my job to back home (or any place that my wife and I wish to settle down to), with an income allowing us to live decently. There's no point leaving China if it's to impose hardship to my wife Smile I'm about to relocate, last details to be fixed soon. If I could not transfer my job, then I would look for one in my destination of choice. That can work only if the years spent in China are recognized experience. Teaching in universities, working in companies, etc.

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9 years 23 weeks ago
 
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once your curiosity is satisfied OR you don't leave at all - set up a business, have a passive income, have great savings, have a great life - staying, going, never going to China at all - no matter what - save half your earnings, so when it comes to the winter of your life you can enjoy it with ease

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8 years 8 weeks ago
 
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once your curiosity is satisfied OR you don't leave at all - set up a business, have a passive income, have great savings, have a great life - staying, going, never going to China at all - no matter what - save half your earnings, so when it comes to the winter of your life you can enjoy it with ease

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8 years 8 weeks ago
 
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A: In my personal experience, teaching certificates have varied in releva
A:In my personal experience, teaching certificates have varied in relevance depending on the context and location. Here's a breakdown of each aspect:a) Getting the teaching job: Teaching certificates can certainly enhance your chances of securing a teaching position, especially in formal educational settings such as schools and language institutions. Many employers prefer candidates who have undergone specific training in pedagogy and instructional techniques, which these certificates often provide. However, other factors such as experience, references, and the demand for teachers in a particular area also play significant roles in the hiring process.b) Getting a higher salary than your uncertified competitors: In some cases, holding a teaching certificate can indeed lead to a higher salary compared to uncertified competitors. Many educational institutions have structured salary scales that take into account factors such as level of education, years of experience, and additional certifications. Holding a teaching certificate may place you in a higher salary bracket or make you eligible for certain salary incentives or bonuses. However, this can vary widely depending on the specific policies of the institution or organization.c) Getting promotions: Teaching certificates can be beneficial for career advancement and securing promotions within the field of education. They demonstrate a commitment to professional development and mastery of teaching skills, which are qualities that many employers value when considering candidates for leadership positions or administrative roles. Additionally, some promotions may require specific certifications or qualifications, making holding a teaching certificate essential for advancement in certain cases.Regarding which certificate yields better results, it largely depends on the specific requirements of the job market and the educational context in which you intend to work. For example:A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is often highly regarded in formal school settings and can be advantageous for those seeking positions in primary or secondary education.Montessori certification is valuable for individuals interested in working in Montessori schools or implementing Montessori principles in their teaching approach.A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate is particularly relevant for those seeking to teach English to non-native speakers in international contexts or language schools.Ultimately, the best certificate for you will depend on your career goals, the specific requirements of the positions you're interested in, and the preferences of potential employers in your target job market. It's essential to research the requirements and preferences of employers in your desired field and tailor your qualifications accordingly. -- ruqaiya761