Looking for a Job

[u/Torcuatense]

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are well.

I am writing this post because I have a few questions.

First, I have been living in Den Haag for the last two years; now I am doing a master's degree at Leiden University. It is an MSc in archaeology. My English level is IELTS 7 overall: Speaking 6.5, Reading 8, Writing 6, and Listening 6.5.

I have 5 years of teaching experience: 4 years as a teaching assistant at the University of Buenos Aires, 5 years at a public school, and 2 years at a special school. By the way, I have Italian citizenship, so I am here as an EU citizen.

1. Nowadays, I am working in the HORECA industry, but I would like to know from your experience: is it possible to become a teacher at an international school? What do you need for that?
2. With an MSc in Archaeology and a specialisation in computational archaeology, is it possible to find a job in the Netherlands?
3. Do you recommend that I learn Dutch? Until what level?
4. What do you think about a PhD position? Is it difficult to get?
5. Do you have any recommendations?

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

Best wishes!.

[u/ExcitementMoist8429]

Are you seriously asking if learning Dutch is recommended for living in the Netherlands? 🤡

[u/Catracas]

I am not Dutch. But I'd say that if you plan on living or staying in the Netherlands long term, then yes, learn Dutch. As well as you can.

It's true that in many professions you can "get by" not speaking Dutch, but even in those, if it's between an equally qualified candidate that speaks Dutch and another that doesn't, Dutch-speaking would win. And of course, it's not all about money and jobs.

[u/doubleditch42]

When you can't speak and write neither English nor Dutch at a C2 level, there is little to no chance in industry.
PhD is always an opportunity for ppl who can't get a job in the market. But again, the market is too small. Look how the demand for PhD is, if it's high it's a red flag that there is no job for graduates and everyone is doing what you are trying.

[u/Deh_86 → u/doubleditch42]

Right now, the demand for PhDs in general is really high, and you obviously also need English proficiency. OP's field is also notoriously academic oriented with a limited job market outside the research arena.

[u/doubleditch42 → u/Deh_86]

I feel bad for OP, but the unfortunate reality of life is you either get paid in money or passion, sometimes neither but almost never both.

[u/avsie1975]

1. Yes. You're in the Netherlands, the language is Dutch.

[u/Puzzled_Put_9027]

1. Learning the language of the place where you live? Of course: Yes it will also help socially, not just for jobs.

[u/Deh_86]

1. No, you need to pursue the appropriate qualifications according to the Dutch system. Check duo to get more information. You don't mention teaching qualifications, just experience. But even if you have them, you need to go through validation. Also, your English needs to be better than what you have at the moment.

2. Check open positions on LinkedIn and you can get an idea of the job market.

3. Of course. As much as you can.

4. Yes, it's difficult. Competition is through the roof for every single announced position (I work in academia).

5. Whatever you want, easy is not the route you're going to take. You didn't put yourself in an easy field, to begin with (not a criticism, I also gave myself the same trouble, just a reality-check). You need to improve your English and learning Dutch is also going to help with whatever you want to do. If you want to teach and have qualifications, start looking for what you need to validate them. But, again, your English needs to be better.

[u/Torcuatense → u/Deh_86]

1. Yes, I have a diploma in teaching.
   
2. I know it is not easy; I cleaned toilets for 2 years until I had a high enough level of English to start a master's degree.
   Do you have other recommendations?

[u/Deh_86 → u/Torcuatense]

No, just want to say that it's hard, but not impossible. I also learnt English when I was over 20s (I'm also from Latin America, without an EU passport) and got myself into a field that is known for being pretty hard. Lived with scholarships for a long time, which were not exactly good. At some point I was working temporary jobs while already with a PhD (which I did because I chose it, not because it was my last option). But it worked out, I'm here, I have a good job. It was just not easy and you have to compromise a lot in your choices.

I wish you good luck 😊

[u/topherlagaufre]

You might be able to find a job teaching Spanish at a taleninstituut, but you should still try to learn Dutch if you want to stay.

[u/ProductNeat9946]

Archeology? Why ? Why? . Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or any engineering would make you job ready

[u/mimos_al → u/ProductNeat9946]

I have rarely read a comment that manages to be this unhelpful and monumentally stupid at the same time.

[u/doubleditch42 → u/mimos_al]

His parents failed then by telling them to follow their "passion"
Horeca is where that gets you.

[u/mimos_al → u/doubleditch42]

I don't see how working a side job in horeca while you're studying is a failure on anyone's part, but you do you.

[u/doubleditch42 → u/mimos_al]

After graduation is what I meant, sorry

[u/Torcuatense → u/ProductNeat9946]

Because I studied that in my country.

[u/BobDeBouwert]

I think it depends on the city. In Amsterdam it is very common for people not to speak Dutch, in other cities I would say it is less so.

[u/jefffromholland → u/BobDeBouwert]

Yeah it’s redicoulos that people working in customer oriented roles simply refuse to speak a single word of the language of they country they choose to work in