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[DC@54055]

So I figured I'd ask.

What job did you do back in your home country prior to coming to teach ESL? and if applicable, what job did you get after working for X years in ESL?

For me: I worked in sales prior to coming to China.

What about you?

[Escaped Lunatic]

I thought employment before working was called slacking on the job.

Before:  Teacher, corporate trainer, assorted computer tech support, and some time working in labs.

After 8 months in ESL, I accidentally got a job running a website where I'm also a financial advice writer.  Since it really doesn't matter where I telecommute from, I can live anywhere with an internet connection.  After careful consideration, I moved back to China permanently.

[ericthered]

I was a translator for the Turkish Embassy. I had to flee after they made me have dinner with the Minister of Taxation and I failed to drown him in the soup, a mistake my father has yet to forgive me for....

[Fozzwaldus]

very interesting thread!!!

I'm ashamed to say (well, not really actually!) that the only job I've had, other than student jobs in shops etc, is being an ESL teacher. I started in 2001 when I graduated and never looked back. 

I'm sure most of you are FAR more interesting.

[El Macho]

Like Fozz, ESL has been my career so far, though I did part-time interpreting work throughout university.

[Stil]

Out of university I raised and bred snakes and sold them on the exotic pet market. I sold that business then started managing a small appliances store then became an area manager for the same chain. After helping one of my old professor by teaching his newly arrived family English (no credentials so informally but paid) I decided to take a year in China for the experience in 2003.

There was also some bar tending, waitering and other sales jobs mixed in there as second jobs at times.

[kitano]

I used to be a clockmaker but I hated the hours

[MK]

Phew, thanks Fozz and EL Macho, I thought I was gonna be the only career EFL-er. 

Was unemployed or underemployed for a year or two after uni (graduated '99) - factory work, shelf-stacking, retail and office-temping - but I have basically been an EFL/ESL teacher since 2001.

I raised and bred snakes and sold them on the exotic pet market

Amateur herpetologist here, that is awesome.

[Stil]

Amateur? I may not have went to school for it but I did that for over 10 years bought a house for my parents and one for me with that money.   

I still keep a snake in China.


The South China Smooth Green Snake.

[dragonsaver]

Professional Engineer for over 20 years.  Worked in aerospace (military aircraft repair, and then aircraft manufacturing) and transportation (trains and buses).  Wrote technical documents, specifications and process procedures.  Worked with and trained shop floor employees to work with and follow the shop floor procedures.

Retired and came to China.  Worked at universities teaching writing, listening/speaking and reading.  Loved it. 

[The Local Dialect]

That snake is awesome. That's the profession my father and brother should have gone into -- they LOVE reptiles and snakes and whenever my bro visits China we always visit the pet market and gawk at all the exotic animals.

I am another career teacher. Back in the States while in college I worked for a credit card company in a glorified sales position and came very close to making a career out of it as I was making excellent money. The company I was working for promoted from within and really wanted to groom me for a higher position -- I was very very good at sales. I decided it was too soul sucking and quit so I could focus on academics, which was what I really wanted to do. I majored in Asian Studies and first came to China as a student doing ethnology in Yunnan, and then when I graduated was on the first plane back to Kunming before the school had even printed my diploma. That was in 2003. I was preparing to go back to the States to do a PhD in history when I met and married my husband in 2006 and well, you guys know the rest!

[china-matt]

I was an editor before moving to China. Now I'm an ESL instructor in the US.

[DC@54055]

Thanks for reviving my faith in the quality / well roundedness of people in ESL here in China. Most of the guys I work with are in their 20's and act that age. (sometimes younger  ) So, I lose sight of that sometimes.

Some really interesting prior jobs out there.

@Kitano: That clockmakers joke was hilarious.
@Dragonsaver: Your post didn't make it clear (or maybe I'm dense) but do you still teach ESL?

I'm liking where this post/topic is headed and I'd like it if everyone could keep this on topic. I know that its hard sometimes.  

[scotto858]

Military (army)
Laborers Union
Pizza delivery driver (favorite)
private construction (as opposed to Union)
painting, roofing, landscaping, etc. (residential)
wood chopper
UPS (current)


I am hoping to get into China by the winter and fire up all those nerves, synapses, and brain juices that have been gathering dust in storage.

[MK]

@Stil, I meant, as an amateur herper myself  I think that's awesome!
@LD, I also love the pet markets here, you never know what you are going to find...

/OK back on topic