Just received my EAD today. Now, on to integrating myself fully into this new life...!

What are some job search sites/databases that you have found useful? (I've only looked on Craigslist and JobStar so far). Any stories you'd like to share about your job search successes and/or failures?

Some background info about me:

I'm a fairly new university grad, so do not have years and years of work experience under my belt. I have done loads of student teaching, and I've taught one year of high school English and sciences back in Canada. Unfortunately, my teaching cert is useless here in California.

I'm not sure if I want to commit myself to more study to get re-certified just yet. So, I'm hoping to look around for education-related or people-helping types of jobs in the San Francisco Bay Area (north bay). Some possibilities include tutoring, special education centres, piano teaching (but I'll have to buy a piano first, to re-learn everything after years of non-practice *sighs*), ... anything else?

There are two (?) temp agencies in this town, but they're mostly geared towards clerical or technical/business jobs which I have lttle interest in, though I could do those (if they'd take me) if I'm desperate.

It's so scary starting back at square one, not knowing exactly what to do!

Any advice you'd like to share?

My humble advice is to be open to anything and everything. I haven't been able to use my skills in heritage preservation/museums at all since I have been here. My first job was in credit card collections, my current job is in medical records.

I did a lot of internet searching for possible websites:
--temp agencies
--official town/city websites
--craigslist
--local library, hospitals, museums, schools, universities, etc etc

and a lot of scanning the employment section of the paper (Sundays are the best in my city) -- led me to a lot of websites to keep my eyes on

and word of mouth is invaluable -- it's how I got my current job.

I'd also look into the possibility of working as a teacher's aide. My friend is a elementary school music teacher and suggested that to me, the school system she works for is always looking for qualified people. Maybe your teaching cert and job experience would lend itself to the opportunity?

How about substitute teaching?

You could look into "emergency certification" or "alternative licensing" to become a teacher (it's called different things in different states.) Many states have procedures for getting licensed if you have appropriate qualifications but didn't go through the system to become a teacher.

Teacher's aides usually make next-to-nothing.... Subbing can be really hard, but you might get a long-term sub position.

Good luck!!!

True. I was able to get a teaching position at a charter school here in Massachusetts without any certification even though it's technically required. Of course, it was for high school math, where I think they tend to make exceptions if they find someone who actually knows the math.

Definitely worth looking into. You could also sub while you take the necessary certification tests.

Had a friend in the employment industry back in canada (they worked with EI , etc, and tried finding people jobs, overal lgoal was to get them off Gov't assistance) I belive she stated that majority of jobs are not even posted, so one has to get out there and hit the street and put in resumes. Volunteering is good, and sport activities, as the more people u meet, the better chance of obtaining a job through connections!! Best of luck

What about teaching ESL to adults? I'm an ESL teacher and I get paid quite well per hour, although I don't work many hours a week.

Also, try www.idealist.org for social service, non-profit, and "helping people" jobs. Here in Rhode Island, this site isn't utilized much since we have a local non-profit jobs listserve, but I remember seeing tons of jobs in California.

Hi Em,

Congrats on getting your EAD! Hopefully it will be the same good news for your Green Card too.

Oh, in answer to your post, my thoughts for you would be:
-Regardless of any job and/or career that you find, the most important thing is that YOU ENJOY AND ARE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING. For if one likes something that they are doing, then one is happier in life, as what they are doing doesn't seem like a job at all.
-If one looks for something in life, then they never find it. It is only when they don't find it, then is found (kind of like finding a penny on the sidewalk or behind the couch, or winning the lottery when they least expect it).

Lol...hope this helps (or at least makes your day a brighter ). Good luck in your job search!

Ant

Hi Em,

I forgot to add to my post:

My teaching experiences believe it or not, have been all volunteer related activities. For example, teaching ESL to adults in Canada, and teaching summer camp children at a church here in the USA. And yes, I enjoy teaching, especially in getting paid by seeing others being happier that I helped them out...

Hope this helps too.

Ant

I put my resume on Yahoo! HotJobs and got a few e-mails back with job interview offers. I also applied for some job openings online. If I were you I'd give it a try.

In the end I got a job in a furniture/housewares store, which I start today, and I'm very excited about it!

Thanks for the tips! I'm open to leaving the education field, though that's where I'd like to be, if possible. How did the word of mouth happen for you? My in-laws have a very tiny circle of friends and acquaintances, and that's making me feel kind of alone out here. I'm hoping that once my application for volunteer work at the local hospital goes through, I'll be able to meet more people!

I've just applied for work as a teaching assistant in a nearby city... but will keep looking around for more opportunities. I know I'm looking at a big paycut from last year's earnings, but one's gotta start somewhere, right?

Thanks, both I'm not sure how to get these emergency certifications, but will look into it.

Yeah... I've just applied for a teaching assistant job and the pay ranges from $9-$13/hr... $17 MAX (w/o benefits)! Subbing *is* hard, but I think as long as I have a bag of tricks and resources up my sleeves, I can wing it (I've known teachers who don't -- or who are unable to -- leave lesson plans behind for their subs. That must really suck)



Ooh, how did you find your current job? I think I'd enjoy teaching adult ESL classes a lot. No classroom management issues, right? Will check out idealist.org now!

What are you doing now, in terms of employment? (Still awaiting your long email, btw!! ) I didn't know you'd taught adult ESL in Canada.

Yeah... after one year of teaching regular high school classes, I've come to the realization that I work better with small groups and one-on-one. This will probably mean a paycut for me since I'm no longer in a traditional setting (with unions and benefits and what have you), but I'd enjoy it more.




I'd tried Yahoo! HotJobs 3-4 years ago when I was still living in Canada, with no results. Maybe it'll be different now that I'm in the U.S. since most of the postings are for U.S. jobs! Thanks

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.

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

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.

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*

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

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.

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....)

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!