Hi everyone,
I've actually been following the posts on this forum for a couple of years now, but I've only just registered because I really need some advice from anyone that might be able to help! I moved to Wroclaw with my partner in May, she's polish and she had the opportunity to get some good work here so we decided we'd go for it. I spent 4 months here about 2 years ago and I loved it, but this time I think it's probably going to be a fairly permanent relocation, especially as if I'm honest it seems like the U.K isn't going to be the best place to be for the foreseeable future.
The last time I was here I was able to find English teaching work fairly easily, to be honest I think even now if you're a native speaker with a good accent you'll find work even without previous experience. However, the last time I did it I found it soul destroying! The money was good and the work in itself not bad, but I didn't feel like I was accomplishing anything or stretching my abilities. I think the nail was hammered in the coffin when I was told I should print some business cards, and when I said I wouldn't have a clue what to write on them I was told to write 'native speaker'! Not exactly going to do me many favours on my C.V back in Britain if you know what I mean.
Anyway, here I am in Wroclaw and what am I going to do for work? I need to find something that I can look at as something permanent, not just some money to tide me over while I'm here. My last position in England was as a manager of a care home for adults with learning difficulties, challenging behaviour, people on the autistic spectrum etc. My Polish isn't the worst but I fully appreciate that I couldn't work with this type of client group without it being 50 times better. This leaves me with the conundrum of what to do. Likewise, I've got a plethora of industry specific qualifications and have completed courses at honours level through universities, but if I'm asked if I actually have a degree, the answer is no. I'm aware that having a degree here is really quite important for even entry level jobs, and this could prove a real barrier to me obtaining employment with one of the big internationals like Google or H.P.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd like to think I've got something to offer professionally speaking, my analytical and problem solving skills are sharp and I'm sure that it'd be fairly easy for me to diversify, but where to start? Does anyone know of any firms that would consider an application based on work experience without a formal degree? Perhaps someone on here could point me in the right direction?
Sorry about the long ramble, hope to hear from someone soon.
Charlie
P.S On a lighter note I'd love to meet anyone in the Wroclaw area if you're having a get together, I'm aware there's a fair expat group here. Apart from speaking with my partner I'm finding a bit tiring having to mind my grammar constantly, so the opportunity to meet a few people for a relaxed chat would be great!
My recommendation is very simple - teach, teach and teach for a year to build up a good network of contacts. Build good personal relations with every single student - and someone will know the right person to help you find what you want.
Teaching is very, very underrated as a way to move into other areas in Poland - though it has to be said - most expats I know are either teaching or they're self employed.
