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Post by yongfook on Aug 19, 2007 19:30:21 GMT -5
Now you're making me want to move to Singapore.
Sounds like you're all set though. I think the first barrier is just deciding 100% in your head that this is what you want to do with your life - after that, a lot of stuff just falls into place because you have the right mindset and level of commitment. I think you can click with a country in the same way you click with a person - when you know, you know. I love Singapore too - I definitely see it in my future.
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Post by miaim on Aug 21, 2007 6:54:19 GMT -5
The whole 'pay rise is quick' thing sounds attractive, I guess I'll just have to hang in there for a good few years. I think rob is right about loving living in Asia. Work is work but I'd much rather come into the office surrounded by miserable, sucidial workers in say, Singapore and pop down to my local Kopitiam during break and be able to jet off to Thailand, Malaysia, Burma on the weekend than come into the office surrounded by miserable, sucidal workers in the UK and pop down to the pub during break to talk about how the sun was last seen 2 months ago and the rising price of stamps. i know how you feel - that's why i moved back to france from the UK....and career-wise, it was not a good choice....asia is better.... good luck! peace
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Post by rumputrampai98 on Aug 23, 2007 20:19:59 GMT -5
If it was me, I'd rather work in Australia or New Zealand or Singapore cos the salary is so much higher there if compared to my country...... So what if I end up speaking Singlish..? At least I'm better paid ...
I'm an architect, studied abroad.. bla bla. bla.. and end up getting paid with peanuts over here if compared to those guys who work in the country I've mentioned... what lah like this...
Well, just my 0.00000000000001 cents worth lah..... ;D
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Post by jewbird on Dec 29, 2007 18:14:21 GMT -5
Asia is not fungible. There are modern, advanced societies like Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan and backwards democratic banana republics.
Only in cultures that are known for more value-added activities does one have career prospects.
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Post by buff on Dec 29, 2007 19:34:59 GMT -5
I guess that it is time for me to start on a new career path. It has been nearly 2 years since I resigned from my job, ending my 10-year career as lead architect and project lead/manager for a software development group in the U.S (as well as my b-school and law school aspirations). I have given up on that particular industry and plan to find an entry-level job in the Philippines (I'm a Filipino citizen) in a different area while working on family projects over there. I expect that my income will be much lower (going from an annual salary of ~100K USD + bonuses + stock options... to only a few thousand bucks), but I don't care. My biggest challenge right now is finding a relatively safe place to live that's within my budget, as I'll present a fairly obvious target over there. Earlier this year, I lived for a while in an extremely dangerous part of Metro Manila -- now that was an experience! Anyway, time to go... Good timing for you since the Philippine economy has been doing well for four straight years now has been ignoring the political turmoil. The stock market grew by approximately 300% from 1200 pts. in 2003 to 3600 pts. year ending 2007. The economy grew steadily from 4% (2005), 6% (2006) to 7% in 2007. The inflation has been at its lowest in 25 years and the peso gained 15% against the US dollar in 2007. The income rate also increased by 63% in the past two years. A robust Infrastructure development in the power-energy sector, transportation, real estate are in the pipeline. The economy has been experiencing a bull run for the past four years now. So if you have properties there, now is the time to develop them.
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Post by cheeseprata on Jan 4, 2008 20:19:46 GMT -5
"For those who are or have worked in Asia but originally grew up elsewhere, how on Earth did you get to where you are or were? What degree did you take and were they specific to your country of residence? E.g. Engineering with Chinese Did you go to Asia with the intention of finding work there or were you re-located there for work purposes? And what caused you to go?"
For me I needed to move in order to find work. I come from a small place and the job market became saturated very quickly. As I had to move I asked my friends in Singapore if there was any work there, and as it happend, I picked up a job.
I was a little worried about the language differences at first but everything was in English because of the scientific nature of my work.
My first 2 years were a bit difficult socially and coming to terms with the society. After that time I really met a bunch of buddies I could relate to and it took off.
NOW:
Now, I'm on the hunt again. I miss my life in Asia (I've been back in Oz for 5 years) and also the work there looks exciting. I've just been spending part of my holiday (just did Thailand, now in saigon) knocking on doors and seeing if anything turns up.
I think the biggest fear they have is that I will come in and demand outrageous wages, or even an expat package. The one advantage I have is that I know what fears they may have and I assure them, I'm in it more for the eperience and that I've been through this before having lived in Singapore for four and a half years. That's not to say I want a salary that doesn't allow me toi do anything, but it's a fine negotiation process.
I think I would like to work in either Bangkok or Saigon. Most of it is really up to the opportunities that arise, but I think I'll be happy in either place. I'm aiming for Bangkok first, then Saigon. I got family support in both so hopefully this should make things a little easier.
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cm
Junior Member
Posts: 68
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Post by cm on Jan 7, 2008 4:06:53 GMT -5
Can I get a job with my biology degree over there?
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Post by helles on Jan 7, 2008 5:08:38 GMT -5
Do u speak another language (particulary asian) or have a valid visa for somewhere in Asia (eg, eligibility from your parent).. if not, i'd suggest getting a couple years experience in US before trying out here (you wont get far with just a degree). Otherwise you might get sucked into teaching english to make ends meet and not getting anywhere careerwise.
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cm
Junior Member
Posts: 68
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Post by cm on Jan 7, 2008 22:28:55 GMT -5
teaching English is the last thing I'd ever want to do
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tbw
Full Member
Posts: 332
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Post by tbw on Jan 8, 2008 4:41:10 GMT -5
Would teaching english be alright just to get by for 6months (not looking for a career there) in say japan/china? I've been looking at taking career break & long service leave to do that
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Post by helles on Jan 8, 2008 4:53:43 GMT -5
6 months is a bit.. random for teaching.. its neither a term or a full school year. so schools may not take you on. unless you lie and say you will be there the year but quit mid way!
if 6 months is all you can do, maybe try language centres, but they have random hours and you tend to have to work weekends (i.e. when the kids are not in school, but parents want them to have extra tuition). i think the pay is better for that tho - in hk at least.
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Post by yongfook on Jan 8, 2008 5:31:22 GMT -5
Can I get a job with my biology degree over there? FWIW, Singapore is currently investing heavily in biotech and will be hungry for good candidates. However, just having a biology degree does not make you a good candidate. Like Helen says, you need a bit more than that. Get some (decent) experience at home, then ride the gravy train into Asia station. If you try and come into Asia with a degree and no experience you need to be prepared to be a bottom-feeder for a while. Also your language skills need to be up to scratch. Basically think about the kind of candidate you are right now. There's probably, oh I don't know, a *thousand* other people with your exact skill set, in whatever region of whatever country you would like to work in, in Asia. You need to figure out how to set yourself apart from that group, and one good way is to get some foreign experience first. The other way is to come to Asia, start at the bottom and work your little tits off to climb up the ladder.
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Post by yongfook on Jan 8, 2008 5:38:17 GMT -5
If it was me, I'd rather work in Australia or New Zealand or Singapore cos the salary is so much higher there if compared to my country...... So what if I end up speaking Singlish..? At least I'm better paid ... I'm an architect, studied abroad.. bla bla. bla.. and end up getting paid with peanuts over here if compared to those guys who work in the country I've mentioned... what lah like this... Well, just my 0.00000000000001 cents worth lah..... ;D If you a qualified architect, studied abroad and are complaining about the pay in your home country, it sounds like you need to start your own architecture firm. That's the only way you will ever make more money than your employers deem you deserving of. Small design-based businesses like architecture are really set up to make the founders rich and the employees just survive. You'll never get decent pay in that setup, and the founders take credit for all your work. For anyone with an ounce of ambition, it's a ridiculous situation to be in, and should be nothing but a stop-gap on your road to self-employment or having your own company. Think of it as a chance to get professional experience, make contacts and get paid (a little) for it - then when the time is right, get out and rise up. ETA: this all depends on whether you are actually any good or not, of course. If you don't feel you are talented, then you'll be an underpaid employee forever. Kthx.
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Post by cheeseprata on Jan 15, 2008 2:58:15 GMT -5
Can I get a job with my biology degree over there? Was that for me? I reckon it depends on what area you want to gain employment in. I'd say for Biomed Asia has being catching up although there may exist opportunities in the research game. For Biology I wouldn't really know, but it's worth getting on expat forums and researching as much as you can. I reckon if you're involved in research there may be more of a chance, although I left the game a while ago. I do know if you have like a Masters though, teachers are usually paid well, so that may be a path you might like to consider. I think if anything good doesn't come my way by May (my contract finishes) I'll be just moving to Bangkok regardless. I need a bit of an adventure.
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Post by EA Observer on Jan 18, 2008 17:29:10 GMT -5
Anyone who recently worked or is now working in South Korea, I'd like to hear of their experiences - especially as "foreigners", as all non-ethnic Koreans are commonly referred to there - you know, mainly stuffs like the pays, hours, and working conditions.
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