Is your work experience and skills worth anything in China?

Well to put it simply, yes! I am constantly amazed at many of my gen-y (recent graduates) colleagues, talk of an employers lack of professionalism and inability to do things the western way.

News Flash!! Chinese businesses want to do things their way,not our way. If they listened to every bright spark with a good idea and no time or inclination to put it down on paper, they would more than likely go under. I have encountered many many grads with a brain the size of a small planet, but their business and teaching experience could be mapped out on a small post-it note. Now before I get stung for generalizations, there are of course exceptions.

I have over 20 years working in various businesses, I have held management positions, run my own business and succeeded, failed and had my fair share of run in's with employers. A redundancy 2 years ago cost me big-time and so my best option was to come to China and try to stop hemorrhaging money. It worked...not 10 months into the first year of my teaching contract, I was asked by my boss, "what do you really want to do for us"?

I was offered a great job, a lot more money, better hours, more holidays and also what all generation y's crave, the right to contribute to the decision making of our school. I succeeded because my work ethic and basic principles are solid. I am not blessed with the ability to re-format a drive, Skype whilst lesson planning, whilst simultaneously debating the merits of an American pedagogy.

I survived, succeeded and was offered a great job, because I show up early to work (always noticed), treat my colleagues with respect, dress well, smile, be positive, take on extra work and get involved. It is important for me to do a good job and I do not moan and complain about my employers lack of professionalism, lack of English, lack of western style management practices. I also do not stink of alcohol, have my underpants fully visible, or complain when I have an extra class because my colleagues were out until 3am the night before and inadvertently caught food poisoning.

If you have experience, come to China, you can use your skills and in less than a year your skills, work ethic and general attitude will be irresistible. I am proof.

The schools here will definitely try to keep the best people. Your compensation package in the first year might be low, but it gets better as you gain more experience and learn how to adapt to, rather than change, the education system here overnight. Like any business, the schools here will weed out those who cannot adapt, and/or work.

I have a question regarding life and/or medical insurance. Some schools offer these bebefits, others don't. Is there an administrative reason for this. Is a foreigner better off to obtain this insurance him/herself? I would be interseted to hear from those who are foreign teachers in mainland China.

Thanks
Don

Well said Stephen!! I like the bit about the visible underwear!

100% true too! Too many folks come to China expecting a handout or to be treated as nobility, yet walk around looking like bums and complaining about what they are "owed"!

I have been here almost a decade, speak Chinese and have done everything in my power to fit into this new culture. I am now on the cusp of starting a new and VERY lucrative career, buying a brand new car and an apartment, while supporting a family of three! None of these things I had even dreamed of back home, yet here, by earning the respect of the people and the country I have found my niche!

Glad to see its working for you too!!

Couldn't agree more with what everyone has said here. Stephen has given some of the best advice on this forum in regards to teaching in China (or anywhere else in the world). I work with people who are mellow, easy-going, and adapt very well to the environment here in Shenzhen. They rarely complain and when they do they usually just laugh it off. For example, hearing a jackhammer outside their apartment at 5 a.m. They come to work a little tired that day but they accept that this is part of life in China, especially a big city.

On the other hand, I work with people who complain and whine daily. They hate the people they work with, they don't like the students, they think Chinese culture is weird, they hate Chinese people, they hate China, they don't like the company they work for. My question to them : WHY ARE YOU HERE???

I work with Anthony here in Shenzhen and he has blended in well. I'm following his lead. Granted, we have our moments where everything isn't as we want it to be but you have those same moments back in your home country. Everyday I learn something new here and I really enjoy living in Shenzhen. My neighborhood is great and I am within walking distance of almost anything I need/want. Can't complain about the school I work for and my coworkers are good people for the most part. My students make my day. They love to tease me but at the same time they respect me. Just the other day, a group of students told me I'm like a big brother who looks out for them. They respect that I have high expectations but I also never yell or show disrespect to my students.

Smile, make your students laugh, and show them respect. You will get the same from them 10x over! Remember, it's not about you ... it's about the students.