Post: #1

-im not sure where to put this ie travel or lifestyle forum-

The Northern Iowa International Job Fair is approaching and I was wondering if there is any licensed educators on the forum that would be interested in this. Im contemplating doing this myself in the future and would like a first hand account of the fair.

http://www.uni.edu/placement/overseas/osfair.html

The fair will take place on Feb 3-5 and essentially you go and interview with International Schools from all over the globe. There was a guy on here last year that was gonna do it but something came up and he couldnt make it.

Post: #2

There are reviews posted of various fairs. I did not attend this one; however, I did attend another one. What is good about those fairs is that jobs are offered on the spot. However, if you do not have some teaching experience, then you probably will get no offers.

They will give you a list of the schools attending, so you can have an idea of which cities, and schools you would like to visit.

Post: #3

(12-14-2011 01:20 PM)tomtud Wrote:  There are reviews posted of various fairs. I did not attend this one; however, I did attend another one. What is good about those fairs is that jobs are offered on the spot. However, if you do not have some teaching experience, then you probably will get no offers.

They will give you a list of the schools attending, so you can have an idea of which cities, and schools you would like to visit.

The one I posted takes recent graduates with no experience. I know a girl in Cali, Colombia teaching right now that did the fair last year with no experience. Also emailed the lady that runs it and she told me that a lot of them just "prefer" you to have experience but that they will take you without it and esp in the less desirable locations / countries.

For a fresh graduate wouldnt worry about that. They will find something esp if you interview well.

Post: #4

Dash-
Good memory. I was shut out last year due the blizzard that swept across the midwest that wknd in Feb. and cancelled a ton of flights coming in and out of Chicago. Lots of people could not get there. Still uncertain who plans a conf in Northern Iowa first wknd in Feb???

Anyways, I plan on attending this year. Last I checked they were up to 125 schools from all over the world. Good representaton of schools from S. America especially Brazil and Colombia. Again I am focusing on Asia and S. America. Spent the summer in Thailand/Cambodia....made a few good contacts at some lower-mid tier international schools. However these recruiting fairs are the way to go if you want to get in with the first-tier international schools, and decent salary/benefits package. I will keep you posted.

And again if this is the route your going to take, you need to start chipping away at getting that schooling/certification under your belt, TEFL is a short-time backpackers gig that usually ends in burnout or a quick reload on the cash supply. Looks like you learned that first hand. Stay focused and get yourself that teaching cert so you can do things right!!! Best of luck!!!

Post: #5

TrullyMars,

Yea man, Ive been looking at accelerated licensing programs in the US. Texas has a good one where you can get licensed in 1 year for relatively cheap. Only downside is you have to teach in Texas for 1 year but id rather be teaching and making money than spending that extra year back in school.

Brazil and Colombia are well represented this year like always.

What is your age group / focus in?

Im thinking high school biology is the best bet as science and math teachers are in higher demand, and thats the easiest of that range of subjects imo.

Post: #6

Hey Dash,

Thanks for the info I'd like to attend this conference as I'd like to teach in a European school, but damn I have to buy a plane ticket to Iowa. Do they mainly cover ESL teachers? I can teach elementary school in multiple subjects in English.

Post: #7

Enfant,

This isnt for ESL teachers. You would be teaching a regular subject in English.

This is for Licensed teachers.

Are you licensed in Elementary Education?