Right Now- My only real live job option- I need some input from anyone that wants to offer it

Hey landplanner, I only have a small amount of experience with people working in SE Asia, and it has all been bad.  I’m sure that there are many others that have great stories about taking these opportunities, but the one’s I know of were just exploited for being from America.  They made the move and tried to settle in.  Obviously the work environment is very different, along with dealing with social differences and nuances.  But ultimately, they realized that the only reason they were brought there was to bring a ‘western validity’ to their respective companies.  Their input was rarely acknowledged, if at all.  Both ultimately left after a relatively short amount of time (within a year), and drew little if anything positive from the move.  Like I said, small base of information to make any decision on, but I would definitely do quite a bit of investigation on the perspective company before making the move.  Personally, I would like to know if others from the states have joined the company, and would like to speak to them about their experiences thus far.  I think that would be the best way to see how your transition would onfold….

Is there any other reason that you would want to be in Shanghai than your job?

Everyone is different, but I would prefer to be stocking shelves in a grocery store than to be a landscape architect or anything else in China. My job is not the beginning and end of me and I would rather shape my life by considering more than just my job because of that.

For an American, I would think China would be a better fit than other SE Asian countries culturally speaking. Shanghai! That would be so cool! Personally, I would consider the risks vs the benefits, which I’m sure you have, but as I see it some are:

1. The LA job market isn’t going to come roaring back in the next 6 months while you’re gone. I don’t think you’ll be missing much.

2.  There is almost nothing more that you could add to your resume – you’ve got all of the experience and certifications that anyone could ever want and still no job. Experience in Asia is just about the only thing you DON’T have except teaching and maybe you already have that too. It could be the iceing on the cake for some firm when you come back stateside.

3. Sorry – T=this is a pretty ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’ answer….Have you ever just followed green traffic lights to whever they led as an experiment? Maybe this is your green light. If you have nothing to lose here, why not go check it out? Yes, you could be miserable, but only for 4 months. What is the alternative? Sitting around with your regrets and what if’s, which, depending on how neurotic you are (I’m not saying you are, but you might be), can last a lifetime.

I don’t know if this is frank, candid or particularly helpful, but if its fairly low risk to you (like you won’t lose your house or your spouse or children) then it seems like something better to do with 6 months than send out more resumes.

Best of luck in your decision-making. I promise you aren’t the penguin we’re pushing off the edge of the ice to see if there are any orcas below!

I would look at it as an adventure…unless you are leaving a family behind…which doesn’t sound like it? What is making you hesitant? Are you spending a lot of money to get there? Are you trying to sell your house? I would not do it if it is going to cost you more financially then it would to stay here…if that makes sense.

No advice on the offer itself, but you are at a perfect time in life to do this.  It will never be as easy as it is for you right now to pick up and live in another place. 

I lived and worked in another country for a year (Europe, not Asia) in my early 20’s.  It not only gave me an insight into another culture, it let me step out of my own.  Both were invaluable personal experiences.

much like this…?