Working as an editor?

[Ink15]

Hi

 

My goal is to learn Mandarin in China, starting September 2014. I've applied to a few scholarships, fingers crossed I will get one of them. I'm also looking into working in China, however I do not particularly want to be an English teacher.

 

I am just about to finish a PhD in engineering, eventually I will return to Europe and get back onto the career ladder. I don't think teaching English is a good idea because it might kill my career. But if I could work as an editor in some capacity related to science or engineering, that would be great. I would even consider teaching English to scientists/engineers.

 

 

I don't know where to start looking for jobs like these. Can anyone help me?

 

Thanks

 

Ink

[stoney]

With your PhD you could probably get a job teaching math/science in China. Check out a company called Dipont for starters.

Actually, how do you plan on studying Chinese on a scholarship, while working at the same time?

If your goal is to learn Chinese, I would recommend you do that full time if possible.

[Ink15]

Yes, studying and working at the same time.

 

I know it's not ideal. I'm really hoping I can get one of the scholarships.

 

Thanks for your suggestion and the web link, it's something that I will give some thought to.

 

Working at a university really appears to me - I might be able to move around once I get inside.

[skylee]

Don't teach English in China.

[OneEye]

Is it legal to work while on the scholarships you're hoping for? If not, that would restrict you to illegal, under the table work only. No judgement here, because that's me too, but you should look into that before you make too many plans.

[Ink15]

If I get the scholarship I won't need to work.  I would have sufficient money.

 

Thanks

 

@ skylee: Why?

 

Thanks

[roddy]

If you're going to be working alongside a course of study, I wouldn't be worried about what you do for money from the CV point of view - if you end up teaching kindergarten, just don't mention it to future employers. You were in full time education, that's all they need to know.

If you want something that might be good for your career, bear in mind that editing is a pretty location-independent job. Maybe a company like this.

[Ink15]

@ Roddy, thanks for the reassurance.

 

Just browsing through these forums I can see that you have a lot of experience in China. So  I would really value your opinion: how do you think I could best use the background I have in China to make enough money to study Chinese?

 

Thanks

 

Ink

[roddy]

Variously: editing academic papers for people in your field; English training for professionals or academics; training in academic / professional writing for students. There's probably a ton of ways, it's thinking them up and finding the opportunities. You might need to network with companies, publishing houses, journals, academics.

[Ink15]

@ Roddy, editing academic papers in my field is exactly what I would like to do.  The problem is finding that kind of opportunity in China. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks

 

Ink

[roddy]

Don't try and find it in China. This can be done online. You can be doing it for Russian and Brazilian academics just as easy as Chinese ones. I have no idea how many jobs there are, or what they pay, but Google 'academic editing jobs' and start from there.

[kdavid]

The issue with teaching English in China is that the profession is largely deprofessionalized. By that, I mean that you're being used for one of two things: profit or prestige.

 

Private schools will work you silly and only have profit in mind. You'll be little more than a dancing monkey.

 

Universities and public schools will want you only for prestige. Having "foreign" teachers on their payroll increases their profile.

 

In public schools, you'll be a babysitter between the students' real classes (i.e. your oral English classes don't help them at all with their tests, and their tests are the only thing that matter--and the students know this!). The same is largely true at universities. The main difference is that you're likely to find individuals genuinely interested in learning the language.

 

The time you'll spend working at a private school will derail your studies unless your incredibly disciplined. You'll have more free time at a university; though the pay is also much lower.

 

If your goal is to get into engineering, make sure you speak with people who are already in the position you want to be in in the future. Ask them about their career path and how they got where they are. Share with them your interests and plans and see if they believe it fits with what you want to do.

 

A lot of people plan on spending "a little time" in China and then get sucked in for much longer. (Case in point, I've been here eight years!)

 

In summary, you need clear goals and a clear exit strategy. Make sure whatever you're going to do here will help you get to the next level. (My exit strategy has taken three years to execute!)

 

PS: I get asked by professors at the engineering university to edit their papers all the time. You won't be able to edit them effectively until you have a working knowledge of Chinese as the English level for many is atrocious and you'd be better of translating directly from the source. Additionally, many mainland "academics" practice gratuitous plagiarism. You might want to think twice about putting your name on such a paper (even unknowingly), especially if you'll be going into academia yourself.

[Ink15]

Thanks Kdavid for contributing.

 

It's important to me to have clear goals, one of which is reaching level 6 in the HSK. 

 

RE exit strategy. I'm not sure exactly what you mean. My intentions are to return to europe to work in a specialist job that requires some Mandarin ability and an engineering background.

 

RE the Chinese plagiarism situation, I'm fully aware of it. You wouldn't believe the amount of crap I've read in Chinese science/engineering journals.  In fact, I would go so far as to say that I rarely take anything I read in them at face value.

[simpleasy]

I don't really have anything to contribute, but I am very interested in what you eventually decide to do, and which opportunities you find along the way.
My situation is similar to yours, after I get my masters degree in construction engineering here I want to study or work in china for a year or so. However I won't graduate for another two years, so I'm not actively looking for information yet. 

Anyway, what I want to say is: let us know what you eventually end up doing in China.
(Also, what type of engineering have you studied?)

[kdavid]

Just to clarify, I'm not against teaching English in China. I've been doing it the whole time I've been here. I even owned and operated a TESOL certification institute for six years.

 

However, it is important that you approach is with the correct expectations. For example, don't expect it to count for much in the eyes of employers back home. Also, don't expect that being a "foreign teacher" in China will earn the the admiration and respect of locals. In many cases, "foreign teachers" are at the bottom rung of employment opportunities for expats in China--and the locals know this.

 

With that said, ESL can be a good crutch to get involved in other things, such as freelance writing, translating, learning Mandarin, studying for an advanced degree, volunteer work, etc. However, these types of opportunities must be actively sought. Good opportunities don't often just fall in one's lap.

 

RE: Exit Strategy

 

You need to have an A B C plan and you need to know exactly how your time here in China will be spent and how it will benefit your future. I arrived in 2006 just wanting to "learn Mandarin," but had no idea why or how it would benefit my future. I didn't have that figured out until 2011 when I began my MA. I'll graduate in June and begin a PhD in the States this fall.

 

I highly recommend you find a mentor (or three of four) in your home country and speak with them personally. Emulate their paths to success so as to best use your time here. Know why you're coming, what you'll do here, and how to use it to move to the next level.

[gato]

It's important to me to have clear goals, one of which is reaching level 6 in the HSK.

RE exit strategy. I'm not sure exactly what you mean. My intentions are to return to europe to work in a specialist job that requires some Mandarin ability and an engineering background.

Is there a specific job that requires Mandarin that you are thinking about? As a PhD degree holder, is the Mandarin that important for getting the job, or is it more a personal interest?

Have you thought about getting a part time technical job in your field in China while learning Chinese? With your PhD, it might be possible. For example, you might be able to convince a Multinational from your country to give you an internship. You'll have be pro-active in contacting them, though.

Another option is to study full time and to teach oral English one-on-one on the side (unofficially and not really legal) by posting ads. Such lessons usually charge RMB 100-200 per hour. Then you can control how many hours your want to spend teaching.

[ChTTay]

"Private schools will work you silly and only have profit in mind. You'll be little more than a dancing monkey."

I just wanted to say, if you do find you want or need some extra money or even just want to try something new. Teaching English on the side might not be as above quote.

In my first school, we were somewhat monkey like... But all of us only worked 2 and a half days a week.

In my second school, we aren't worked particularly hard and I don't think anyone feels particularly monkey like.

Before I started teaching out here, children were a foreign, alien entity to me. I was the youngest in my family so never had any interaction with small children at home or family gatherings. Now I feel a lot more comfortable looking after and being around children. I am sure this is a skill that will be valuable in later life.

When I mention I am an English teacher to most Chinese, I find I get the same level of respect as they would a "normal" teacher. I guess it depends where you are and who youre speaking to. Either that or I'm a terrible judge. When I mentioned what I do to foreigners, many become quite smug that they aren't a teacher here. Even if they are here for 6 months drinking 5kuai beers in Wudaokou.

As per gato, 1on1 might be a good idea too. There are agencies you can go through if you struggle to find students yourself but they do take a cut of your pay. You might also go to any Universities around you area and put up adverts / flyers there. Maybe in Chinese and English.

[Ink15]

@ Gado, mandarin ability is critical for the job I'm after, which also requires a PhD degree and a technical background. 

 

@ ChTTy thanks for your input.

 

@ kdavid, my ABC plan is in place. The only part that's missing is how best to effectively support myself and learn Mandarin to HSK level 6 within the next 2 years.

[ChTTay]

Good luck, make you write back in 6 months / two years!

I don't even have an A plan.

[gato]

If Mandarin is critical for the job you are after, then I would try to concentrate on learning the language as effectively as you can in the next 6 or 12 months and forget about doing editing or other activities in English that would detract from your Chinese learning. Try to go to cheap smaller city like Harbin or Qinhuangdao in the north to maximize your exposure to Mandarin on the street and minimize your cost of living, as well as the distraction of other expats.

Read Tamu's post on independent study for tips on efficient learning of Chinese. He spent a month in Taipei and probably spent 80 hours per week on learning the language.