JOB HUNT ADVICE G
raduation is an exciting time but it can also be disorienting when you’re standing at a crossroads of decision making. Many
graduates feel they aren’t ready to fully subscribe to a nine-to-five corporate lifestyle. Indeed, the thought of entering a career for the next 40 years can be overwhelming and leave many hesitant. Thoughts of travel, adventure and personal development are high on the agenda for most 20-somethings. For those of you seeking wider horizons, working overseas is a viable and easy opportunity.
Not only is working abroad an exhilarating prospect, it also accelerates individual growth. It will demonstrate to future employers your adaptability and stature. Familiarising yourself with other cultures and languages is extremely beneficial to one’s worldview. Stepping out of your comfort zone and accepting new challenges will equip you with an array of transferable skills that will never leave you. Employers find applicants with genuine and solid life experiences very desirable. There are a number of channels graduates can pursue to aid their adventures abroad. Internships, volunteering and academic sponsorship are legitimate ways to transition overseas. Volunteering for non-governmental or charitable organisations can be rewarding but, financially, it won’t necessarily help you with your student loan repayments. Internships and academic posts are also limited in their renumeration. For many graduates a direct and fully paid working position is the most attractive option. One reason for this is the UK has recently been hit by economic uncertainty post-EU referendum. The return on earning overseas is higher than ever. Certain countries enjoy much lower costs of living than UK standards but earn comparable salaries. This – combined with the fact that many overseas
positions are tax-free (or low tax) and involve free accommodation, free health insurance, subsided food and utilities – means postgraduates can enjoy a higher standard of living working abroad than what they would back home. More importantly, it’s easier to save and pay off that pesky student loan. Popular occupations for both short-term and long-term opportunities internationally include tourism, nursing and engineering. However, the easiest route into a well-paid position abroad is teaching. Traditionally, this industry is referred to as ESL (or English as a second language) teaching. The industry is open to any graduate and doesn’t require specialist degree training. Any degree, any discipline, from any British university can secure you a full working visa to teach English. Further to your degree, a prospective teacher will need to undertake a short, one-month TEFL [teaching English as a foreign language] course. Most hiring companies will pay for this course for you or, at the very least, reimburse you. Every year, hundreds of graduates choose to follow this path into countries like Spain, Argentina and Thailand, but more notably Korea, Japan and China. It’s with these three far-eastern countries that you’ll find the highest salaries, the best positions and the wildest adventures!
The ESL market is expanding exponentially. English has cemented itself as the global language of business and digital content. Indeed, 75 per cent of all conversations in English involve speakers utilising it as a second language. It’s more and more important for foreign governments, transnational companies and schools to adopt English programmes for their employees and students alike. Therefore, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in demand for English teachers in mainland China during the past three years and this shows no sign of declining. As the demand increases, so do salaries, and this, in turn, develops into many genuine
long-term career opportunities. Money is a concern for any graduate
but it’s not always about the money! Yes, the financial reward is now greater for teaching in China, especially if you enter into a second- or third-year contract. However, there are other life-affirming qualities awarded to you that money simply can’t buy. Exposure to new cultures and development of language abilities is complemented by extensive travel experiences. Hundreds of ESL teachers now use the industry as a platform to travel around the world. It really is possible to earn an ESL teacher’s salary and catapult yourself into unforgettable adventures. Whether you’re cruising around Halong Bay in Vietnam or scuba diving in the Philippines, this is the lifestyle an ESL teacher can fund through their earnings.
On average a graduate can expect to
earn £14,000 after tax for a 10-month teaching contract when they first venture abroad (specifically China, Japan or Korea). These are low-working-hour weeks with, on average, only 15 hours of teaching. This leaves considerable scope to supplement income with private lessons, around another £200 per week. When you factor in free accommodation, meals, flights and utility bills, first-time ESL teachers are left with a handsome pay packet and minimal outgoings. Alongside regular travel adventures and establishing global friendships, a life as an ESL teacher warrants serious consideration. n
Jonathan Hoey Head teacher and
recruitment manager Echo Education, Hangzhou, China
Autumn 2017 |
GradJobs.co.uk | 9
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