runi
7/7/2014 20:18 EST
Hello everyone!
I have lurked in this community for a little while and am glad that there is a community of Ex-pats online that I can reach out to. I also signed up for the internations.org website, so I will likely crosspost there.
I am a recent university graduate and I am looking to find work in El Salvador, hopefully sometime next year. I am trying to start my footwork early and also get some idea of the chances that I have and am looking for any suggestions and information. I have visited the country once before for five weeks when I volunteered teaching English to 1st-5th graders. I have a bachelors degree and working experience in Graphic Designer. I also have a minor in Education. I'm interested in teaching in either of these areas.
My boyfriend lives in El Salvador and we hope to start a life together. I won't go too far into this sob story though.
I have contacted some schools already, even if I have a low chance of being employed by them. For example, I contacted Escuela Americana, but I don't hold teaching certification...
I am a native English speaker and I speak conversational Spanish.
Any thoughts, ideas , suggestions, opportunities, etc? I know about call centers, but I am an American citizen and a gringa, so I don't know how well that would work out.
Thank you very much!
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runi
7/7/2014 20:47 EST
I also forgot to mention that I am interested in the areas of San Salvador, Santa Tecla or Antiguo Cuscatlán.
This site needs an edit button! I'm sure there are many other things I left out, but I'll bring it up as I go along.
Thanks
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opulentinspirations
7/7/2014 21:05 EST
Hello Runi:
I'm a Canadian with a University degree as well. As for the Private schools - I looked into that as well. My experience was that you needed to have the proper teaching qualifications - so that was a no go. I was offered a position at a Call Centre and another one also said they would hire me. The pay was to be around $500.00 per month - $1000.00 if a supervisor. They are always looking for NATIVE english speakers was my impression. Other than that, with Graphic design you might be best to market yourself that way and work from home. I did not get the impression that there is a plethora of jobs in El Salvador when we were there (that's going back 3 years) - the majority of people struggle there. I think you have to be inventive to make your money there. Thats just my two cents. Good luck! Best Regards, Jane
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runi
7/7/2014 21:35 EST
Hello Jane!
Thank you very much for your reply. Would a call center help obtain visas and the like? From what I understand, they don't hire people that are not residents of the country. And to be a resident of the country, I need a job first. So it seems a bit like running in circles there. If it's alright, can I PM you?
Thank you!
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opulentinspirations
7/8/2014 00:06 EST
I don't know too much about the obtaining of the work visa. I have heard it is quite the run around to get. I believe the company helps out but again not 100% sure of this. You can PM me sure - but like I said I don't know too much about actually obtaining the visa - anything to do with the govt there is like all other bloody govt offices - everything seems to take forever!
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lazelaya
7/20/2014 17:23 EST
Salvadorian here, have lived in Maryland for the last 8 years.
I'll give you an idea of what jobs and wages in El Salvador are, so you can figure the rest out.
A medical doctor working for the government makes $1,200 a month before deductions.
The minimum wage is around $150 a month I think.
Call centers as I understand pay a little more than the minimum wage.
Teachers are one of the lowest underpaid professionals in ES.
Life in general is a lot less expensive, but that goes along with a very low quality of life. Crime rate is awful. Public schools are a disgrace, public health is a "blessings" (it's free, but always crowded and there is a ton of items lacking) but you being a "gringa" should get prompt attention... that's how things are.
It's hard to tell you everything in a single shot but I might answer pretty much all your questions about El Salvador.
Just like anywhere else in the world: there are places inside ES you want to stay away from. Knowledge is your best weapon to survive down there.
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busman7
7/21/2014 11:10 EST
My question is, why would you want to come to El Salvador and take a subsistence level job away from a Salvadoraño?
Either get proper teaching qualification to teach in an international school or use your degree to get a job with a company in your home country that has positions available in El Salvador.
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opulentinspirations
7/21/2014 13:48 EST
busman7 - WHY do you have to always be so rude on this forum? Quite frankly, it is none of your business why this person is coming to work in El Salvador. You do not know them or their circumstances. People have many different reasons why they may be coming to El Salvador and some of them may not be by choice, but by circumstance. I suggest you start acting appropriately on this forum as many people have complained about you and if I was an admin on here I would ban you from it. You actually represent your country horribly and make one think "my god, are all Salvadorians like that busman7" ?- maybe you dont see how you come across to others but you come across as very unwelcoming. I would think by now that you would have a clue that so many people have told you off on here. You appear to be a bit thick in that department.
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opulentinspirations
7/21/2014 13:48 EST
busman7 - WHY do you have to always be so rude on this forum? Quite frankly, it is none of your business why this person is coming to work in El Salvador. You do not know them or their circumstances. People have many different reasons why they may be coming to El Salvador and some of them may not be by choice, but by circumstance. I suggest you start acting appropriately on this forum as many people have complained about you and if I was an admin on here I would ban you from it. You actually represent your country horribly and make one think "my god, are all Salvadorians like that busman7" ?- maybe you dont see how you come across to others but you come across as very unwelcoming. I would think by now that you would have a clue that so many people have told you off on here. You appear to be a bit thick in that department.
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busman7
7/21/2014 20:51 EST
Glad you get the point that Canucks, Y'alls and others with minimal marketable skills taking jobs from locals are NOT welcome.
If you can add something to the society here, fine you're welcome, if not come as tourists, spend money and move on!
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aaronbennis
8/11/2014 05:50 EST
For heavens sake GROW_UP! This is an adult "real world" forum. If your sensibilities are too "delicate" to deal with reality, then perhaps you should find a "dainty lady's" forum, instead. Personally, I agree w/ busman7. He's not being rude: just factual. Expats, with no professional qualifications, or self-supporting means of income, should go home, get their acts together @ home FIRST. Then return. They should not be allowed to compete against locals for local menial jobs. That young lady with her "college degree" , apparently didn't learn a (well-known) phenomenon called "topic research", prior to trekking-off to a foreign country. My best advise to her, get a TEFL (online) cert. (minimum), if she's "serious" about teaching in either Central or South America. Just the facts.:-) And, BTWhere's a "poor-baby" hug to you (plaintiff) . Cheers & Caio,
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aaronbennis
8/11/2014 05:58 EST
Good for you. You never need to apologize for presenting the facts, and telling the truth.
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