Expats! What are your jobs?

mikeymyke wrote:

But as a foreigner who doesn't speak much Vietnamese, my job prospects seem limited to just teaching English

What do you do in Canada? Check out the job boards here, vietnamworks etc. They've been posted plenty of times before on here.

There are other jobs for expats here, but you need significant experience in your field and most are in management roles.

laidbackfreak wrote:

There are other jobs for expats here, but you need significant experience in your field and most are in management roles.

And remember this as well: An expat will never get a job in Vietnam that can be done by local Vietnamese. If you're competing for any given job with a local, forget about it.

mikeymyke wrote:

It seems a common theme for expats is you must have a source of steady reliable income, like a rental property or pension.  Even though the cost of living is low there, we have to spend a lot.

Then call me uncommon. I don't have rental property. I don't have a pension (yet). I'm far from retirement age. What I DO have, is 30 years experience in my profession. Most local Vietnamese in the job market aren't even 30 years old, so they will NEVER develop experience comparable to mine before I die (or hopefully just retire). My experience (and maturity) is the reason I was hired by my company to work and live in Vietnam. My boss counts on me to essentially be his replacement when he's not here, and he's not here very often. My job is my source of steady reliable income. Experience is the key. That's why there are so many native-speaking English teachers here. They've had experience speaking English all their lives, but I'm sure some of them are better teachers than others.

Edit: And what Don says above^.

mikeymyke wrote:

You guys are very successful at your careers, nice.

That is why we are able to live and work here, beyond teaching English. Don't get me wrong teaching is a good career, IF you want to be a teacher, but I prefer my current chosen profession.

Sploke77 wrote:

How many 'teachers ' in International  Schools stay beyond 2 years? I think with your fingers you can count them! They are all here while the going is good, live luxury for a bit and then vamoose, leaving the poor kids to continue to get used to one teacher after another. Exercise in relationship building..it's a farce, even Principals do not stay long..

mikeymyke wrote:

I was wondering for you expats living in Vietnam (saigon in particular), what are your jobs, and how do you support yourself?

Trying to outsmart THD with Google searches!

jakejas wrote:

Saigonmonkey, what do you do? Are you a programmer?

SM a programmer.....  I'm saying nowt.....

VungTauDon wrote:

CodeMonkey

Lol, I should have checked his profile. He works for a furniture manufacturing company.

laidbackfreak wrote:

jakejas wrote:

Saigonmonkey, what do you do? Are you a programmer?

SM a programmer.....  I'm saying nowt.....

OK 'freak... just because you're an IT guy, no need to poke fun at those less technical and more old school than you.

If I was a programmer, it would have been with punch cards. That's what we used when I was in college. Old school...

khanh44 wrote:

Just remember if you work in Vietnam you will have to declare your worldwide income along with your spouse (residential or not)unless you sever your residential ties with Canada. Which is one reason why I'm not too eager to be working in Vietnam. I'd rather grow my registered RSP and TFSA and if I ever need money I can rely on them without having to incur taxes.

But seeing as you want to sponsor your fiance I don't think you'd want to severe it.

I would never severe my ties from the U.S.A. I just plan on travelling around Vietnam for a few months each year.

hwanghuydo wrote:

I am also an expat. Born and live in vietnam,

Mayhaps you ought study more.
An expat(expatriate)is a person who lives outside their native country.OR a person who settles outside of their native country.

jimbream wrote:

hwanghuydo wrote:

I am also an expat. Born and live in vietnam,

Mayhaps you ought study more.
An expat(expatriate)is a person who lives outside their native country.OR a person who settles outside of their native country.

I am sorry. I mean " i also not an expat" as Khanh44 ^^.

ChrisFox wrote:

I write software for remote clients, and for the AppStore.

iOS, Mac, mostly.  Background is Windows but I don't like .NET.  Might learn Android soon.

ChrisFox wrote:

I write software at home.  Some for remote clients, some to sell online.  iPhone, iPad, Mac.  Coming out of a career mostly in Windows.

iPhone/iPad: Photo World, find geotagged photos
iPhone: NotifEye, alerts for Facebook
Mac: OmniPop Lite & Pro, add hotkeys to OmniFocus

Hope your coding is not as repetitive

a person who settles outside of their native country.

Actually, Jimbream, that would be an immigrant rather than an expatriate, since settling implies a permanent stay.

How can an expat who doesnt speak vietnamese at all, teach vietnamese people english? how the hell does the translation goes??? Sign language? or with your arm and legs?
lol

Correct me if I'm wrong, Hotpot, but using the host country's language in class, as opposed to the language of instruction (English or whatever) is considered wasting the student's time. Berlitz was definitely against it. Teachers aren't there to show the students how well (or badly) they speak Vietnamese, but to concentrate on teaching Vietnamese speakers English (and etc.)