Is life/work experience regarded as highly as paper qualifications?

Question

Hi

I am currently studying a TESOL to certificate level here in Australia.I am dismayed that many of the positions world wide for TESOL state a degree in ANY discipline. Having completed a number of years of an engineering degree I know that the years I did were far more taxing than some of the light weight quals available these days.

Are the heads of schools only interested in paper quals or there some more enlightened ones who value life and industrial/business experience.

Regards

Answer 1

I understand your pain for learning how to be an Engineer and the taxing studies you had to go through, but the fact is, teaching isn't Engineering.  If you want a high paying job as an Engineer, you did the right thing.  If you find yourself wanting to now teach, but have to compete with people who took an easier route to get their degree, well, consider the earning power of their degree compared to the one you are no longer using.  You are choosing to go this route, therefore, in my opinion, should not look down on the English majors, Arts majors, basket weaving majors, etc.  It is a fact of life.  I deal with it all the time.  I accept it.  Stay in Engineering if you want to earn better.  Best wishes.

Answer 2

It sounds like the qualifications in Australia for teaching are similar to those here.  Yes, industrial/business experience is valued, but only beyond the minimum paper qualifications.  As a dean who hires faculty, I would rather hire someone with that experience than without, but the experience doesn't replace the necessary degree.  Someone with experience can teach what is being done in the present and do it well.  The problem is that we are educating our students for the future, not just the present.  We need someone who understands and can teach not just the practice, but the theory which can be translated into the practices of the future.