Shanghai versus Beijing for non-teaching jobs

[Huang Guang Chen]

Maybe I should look for a job in Guangdong. Then I can learn Cantonese.

That's certainly not a bad plan. Guangzhou is dirty and interesting. it's also cheaper, and I'd say there's many opportunities to gain experience and in something that could eventually pay off. I wouldn't bet the ranch against it, but it's a plan. Mind you Dongguan is a shithole full of the worst Taiwanese on the planet. As is Zhuhai. Guangdong is largely poor, dumb, brutal and horrid.

You should also perhaps talk with Baas in Xiamen. Fujian is interesting, especially coming out of Taiwan.

As for dialects. I'm reluctantly coming back to the idea Chinese speakers should have a proper grounding in "Beijing hua" before moving on. I spent twenty years saying it doesn't matter. but now I think it does, and can see why my early language teachers were incredulous I didn't at east spend some time studying Chinese in Beijing.

HG

[steelersman]

I have already studied Mandarin in Taiwan for three years.

[Gao Bohan]

So now your plan of escape from Taiwan is to...Mainland China? So that way, you'll have all of the same cultural features that have caused you numerous frustrations in Taiwan, plus more pollution and burdensome government? And all because you want to study another Chinese dialect, even though you could easily study Southern Min or Hakka in Taiwan?

[steelersman]

So now your plan of escape from Taiwan is to...Mainland China? So that way, you'll have all of the same cultural features that have caused you numerous frustrations in Taiwan, plus more pollution and burdensome government? And all because you want to study another Chinese dialect, even though you could easily study Southern Min or Hakka in Taiwan?

I don't think that any of my post said anything about cultural features that frustrate me in Taiwan. Simply I don't want to teach English and I hope to try something else.

Maybe I did not make it clear but I would not go to the Mainland just to study another dialect. I am considering going there to see if I can get a job and experience outside of teaching.

Learning another dialect is just a hobby I might pursue on the weekend. If I don't leave Taiwan I might start learning Southern Min.

[headhonchoII]

Here's one..'Western Appearance' noted as first requirement, of course not being blonde, female and blue eyed you could be facing heavy competition

http://www.thebeijinger.com/classifieds ... ambassador

From looking at jobs listed on there, it's easy to get a job in China, but it may be hard to get a well paid job.

[finley]

Steelersman, have a look at this:

viewtopic.php?f=117&t=98865

I thought at first it was a degree mill, but it does check out - it's a genuine accredited university.

I realise it's not specifically what you were looking for ... but it sounds like you're looking for a career change, so possibly worth considering getting another degree. And you can always work (officially or unofficially) during vacations.

[steelersman]

Thank you for the information.

[Baas Babelaas]

Guangzhou is dirty and interesting. it's also cheaper, and I'd say there's many opportunities to gain experience and in something that could eventually pay off. I wouldn't bet the ranch against it, but it's a plan. Mind you Dongguan is a shithole full of the worst Taiwanese on the planet. As is Zhuhai. Guangdong is largely poor, dumb, brutal and horrid.

You should also perhaps talk with Baas in Xiamen. Fujian is interesting, especially coming out of Taiwan.

You couldn't pay me in luxury cars, gold bars and tankers of oil to live in the big cities of Mainland China. Taipei, Taiwan yes, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen etc - NO!

And I've heard Dongguan is hell on earth. But I though Zhuhai was a'ight, no? Maybe I'll pop in there when I go down to Honkers next..

Xiamen is okay, becoming over-touristed and traffic is getting very bad. But on the upside the people are fairly (pinch of salt) polite, semi-civil and I have a good gig - uni + IELTS examining.

I'm meant to be moving back to the Wan end-summer, but not if it means teaching kids. I'd rather push out another 6-12 months in Xiamen and wait for the right work to come up in Taiwan.

[steelersman]

There is a Temple University program in Beijing. Maybe I can get a Master's while living in Beijing through some American university.

[beducation19]

I can't really tell which of the two cities has most of the non teaching jobs. Having gotten this free job App for mobile, I have seen lots of non teaching jobs in Shanghai. I will recommend this App which is easy to find jobs with. www.chinajobsapp.com or you can visit their web version www.web.chinajobsapp.com. You can as well have your judgement from there.
Good Luck!