Post: #1

I'm wondering what type of career I could move into in Asia-- specifically China-- after I save up a decent bit of cash from ESL/English teaching, or if I might have fucked myself and my career already. I'm in my late 20s, and do not have a degree or any relevant work experience.

I just read a ReturnofKings article where the author stated he was working in gas and oil in Indonesia, and his buddies were working in marketing and other industries. None of them have degrees. Some other bloggers I follow in China started their own successful businesses after hammering away at their grueling ESL jobs for a few years and getting back up on their feet.

I'm hoping I can break into something like this in China, as China seems to be more of a who-you-know networking place, building connections with Chinese that will give you the hook up, "guanxi", etc. On the other hand, I'm also contemplating going back to the US and finishing a degree. But honestly I'm having too much fun in China to do that at the moment, and couldn't really be bothered. I make decent money and save enough from my job. However, I still fucking loathe English teaching.

At this point, what could I do to ensure I'm on the right track so I can at least have a decent career in my 30s, assuming it's not too late?

Post: #2

(04-05-2015 08:42 PM)Holy(Muff)Diver Wrote:  I'm wondering what type of career I could move into in Asia-- specifically China-- after I save up a decent bit of cash from ESL/English teaching, or if I might have fucked myself and my career already. I'm in my late 20s, and do not have a degree or any relevant work experience.

I just read a ReturnofKings article where the author stated he was working in gas and oil in Indonesia, and his buddies were working in marketing and other industries. None of them have degrees. Some other bloggers I follow in China started their own successful businesses after hammering away at their grueling ESL jobs for a few years and getting back up on their feet.

I'm hoping I can break into something like this in China, as China seems to be more of a who-you-know networking place, building connections with Chinese that will give you the hook up, "guanxi", etc. On the other hand, I'm also contemplating going back to the US and finishing a degree. But honestly I'm having too much fun in China to do that at the moment, and couldn't really be bothered. I make decent money and save enough from my job. However, I still fucking loathe English teaching.

At this point, what could I do to ensure I'm on the right track so I can at least have a decent career in my 30s, assuming it's not too late?

Can you really teach ESL without a degree though? I know certain countries are very particular

Post: #3

Pretty much EVERYBODY and his grandma who teaches English in Asia AND wants to continue living there fucking loathes teaching English.

How old are you?
What skills/qualifications do you have?
What do you want to do?

Post: #4

From my own experience, basically
- Engineering (civil...) - usually experienced
- Banking (front ex. sales and middle office essentially) - from fresh to experienced
- Marketing (wines and spirits, visual ads, business development...) - from fresh to experienced
- Native language teaching - not experienced/graduated to mid-experienced

I'm sorry but it's not possible to move to eng. without any degree. Even in South East Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia) they're only looking for foreigners with a 5/8Y+ oil specialised profile that can add knowledge. They already have good people that studied in local uni. (like Petronas' one) or abroad.

As GyopoPlayboy said, give us some details...

Post: #5

It comes down to this: What skill do you have to offer that a local can't?

Post: #6

Oil and Gas expat jobs are pretty much only for specialists with years of experience, AFAIK. Engineers, managers, scientists, etc.

You might be able to talk your way into a marketing job or something like copyediting marketing materials for Chinese companies (English language brochures/ads by Chinese companies aimed at foreigners, etc).

What about business opportunities? A degree in the US going to cost you several tens of thousands of dollars, no? Unless there's a career path you're super keen on that you MUST HAVE 4 years of specialist training for... then must be something better you could use that cash for.

How about finding smallish foreign companies in China and seeing what you can do for them. Like wine importers or restaurants or something. Your China experience must be somehow useful. I would ask expats with businesses what their problems are then see how you could either learn a skill quickly to work for them or start some kind of business that helps them.

Presumably foreign companies that sell IN China need all sorts of help with operations, marketing and selling. Do you speak Chinese? If you do and you're smart and can learn business stuff quickly then Im sure you can add value somehow and get paid for it.

Or you could try working in hospitality, or restaurant management. Or if all else fails you could get a "face job" and pretend to be a wise western consultant and get paid to give speeches at Chinese companies congratulating them and making them look good in front of their clients

Post: #7

Stop the limiting beliefs. Too late to start a new career in your late 20s? Are you smoking crack? People are changing careers at much older age these days and it's becoming more and more common.

Most people work until their 60s. So even if it takes you five years to break into a new industry, you will be 35 which means you have another 30 YEARS ahead of you.

Stop the loser mentality, pick a field and get to work.

Post: #8

This doesn't merit its own thread when we basically have an identical one already.

Post: #9

A hint: this information isn't available on the internet, you have to start talking to random dudes. Most don't post their life stories on the internet - the information has to be teased out of their heads by talking to them.

But yeah there is already at least one thread on this very topic.

Post: #10

(04-06-2015 12:51 AM)clever alias Wrote:  This doesn't merit its own thread when we basically have an identical one already.

The basic answers to your questions are covered here. Once you've read through all the data that we've dropped on that thread, if you still have more questions, feel free to post a follow up on the existing thread or PM me.

Post: #11

(04-06-2015 12:35 AM)HenryHill Wrote:  Stop the limiting beliefs. Too late to start a new career in your late 20s? Are you smoking crack? People are changing careers at much older age these days and it's becoming more and more common.

Most people work until their 60s. So even if it takes you five years to break into a new industry, you will be 35 which means you have another 30 YEARS ahead of you.

Stop the loser mentality, pick a field and get to work.

Seconded. I'm in the middle of doing the same thing coming out of the military, and going into finance.

If you're in more of a "business" speciality (finance, marketing, etc) start looking into MBA programs. You need to get into a good one to make it worthwhile in most cases but if you know where you want to live a regional school is a good way to make the transition.


Something that will work in your favor is that it's generally easier to get into a European or Asian B-school than it is a similar tier American one. The MBA educational model depends on having students with a wide variety of perspectives to contribute to class discussions.....and one way of doing that is to make sure that you've got inter-continental students in the class.


Personally I'd recommend you take a look at consulting. I've got a family member who wants to live in Asia and he's told me that one of the few viable ways to do that while having a good career is to get into a good management consulting firm. The downside is that most Asians are incredibly prestige obsessed, and most consulting firms recruit their new employees directly out of MBA programs. As a result getting a job in consulting, in Asia pretty much requires you to attend a top tier university's business school.....think Ivy leagues or any similarly prestigious European schools.

Not as bad as it sounds though. Most business schools are far more red pill than the schools as a whole.