Expert: Nancy Torres - 6/10/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hola Nancy. I have several questions for you.
Currently I am finishing my program with TEFL International, in Spain. I would really like to come work in Puerto Rico, as an English teacher for K-12years old. However, I´m open to other age groups as well as adults.

1. If I go there, are there hostiles I can stay in, while I´m looking for work? I would like to be around San Juan, Isla Verde, Carolina, Condado areas....I´m assuming those are the best for public transportation?

2. What is the best way to approach schools? (I´ve, already sent out my resume to a couple schools, but have not heard back. I was told by someone to keep on contacting them until I hear a NO answer.)

3. I would like to go back to school for a Masters in Child Education/Psychology. What are the best schools in Puerto Rico for that degree?

4. Also if you can give me any other advice that you think is beneficial I would really appreciate it.

thank you so much in advance! :)
Sincerely,
Lana

ANSWER: Hola, Lana.
I must say that I have a great respect for the persons that select education as their careers.  It is a very rewarding career, but I know it requires a lot of patient and dedication.
Regarding your questions:
1.  Check available affordable lodging in the following link:
http://www.puertoricosmallhotels.com/markets/Bed_Breakfast.htm

2.  For all schools in Puerto Rico, visit www.cge.gobierno.pr.  Once in the site, go to "Instituciones", and then select "Instituciones Privadas" (Private Schools) or "Instituciones Públicas" (Public Schools).  There is a list to select from.  If, for example, you select "instituciones Privadas Académicas con Licencias Bilingues" (Private Bilingual Schools), you will find complete information concerning addresses, telephone numbers, etc.  All the information is in Spanish, but I am sure it won't be a problem for you.

My suggestions is that you contact the schools you would be interested to work in and first check if they are needing an English Teacher, then offer your services.

3.  For the masters’ degree you are interested in, here is a list with links for the leading local universities in Puerto Rico:

Universidad de Puerto Rico, http://www.upr.edu/home1600.html

Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, http://www.inter.edu/

Catholic University, http://www.pucpr.edu/

4.  Lana, you are asking for my advice, so I m sharing the following with you:  
This is a very difficult time to seek for a new job in Puerto Rico.  The newly approved Law 7 will left many government employees (a good part of them are teachers working for the Department of Education) out of their jobs.  Some of those employees will turn to the private industry looking for new jobs, some others will possible decide to relocate out of the Island to be able to find better working opportunities.   We all know that the economical situation is really bad, affecting us all.  However, my point of view is that the person that is really looking for a job will find it.  It could be difficult, but for me, seeking for a job is a full time non-paid job.  But, as you are aware of the present economical crisis, be careful when you decide in relocating to a new country where you will have expenses and where the unemployment rate is at unprecedented levels.

I don't know if you have lived in Puerto Rico before.  If it fits your budget, perhaps you could considerate coming to the Island for a couple of months and do all errands concerning a future relocation:  checking the areas where you would like to work and live, visiting schools, check the private industry for someone with your qualifications, etc. I don't know if this is something you could considerate, but I can tell you that it is exactly what my daughter is doing at this very moment in Europe.

Here are some organizations you may want to contact in Puerto Rico for job hunting:
Puerto Rico Private School Association:
http://www.aeppr.org/portal/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3

For opportunities within the federal government (all fields):
http://federalgovernmentjobs.us/job-location/puerto-rico-pr.html?email=&P=10

For advertised job opportunities (all fields), check El Nuevo Día, one of our leading local newspapers:  http://www.elnuevodia.com/monster/.  

An additional suggestion:  you are now finishing studies in Spain - have you considered the working opportunities for you there?  Is that something you would consider?

A final comment:  although you are not inquiring about compensation, salaries in the Island for teachers are lower than in the US and that could be an important consideration for you.  

If you feel I can help you more, just write me again at AllExperts.com.

Saludos desde Puerto Rico,
Nancy


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: WOW! THANK you SO much for all that information!

I heard about the huge layoff in PR, but I feel like everyone around the world is getting hit with layoffs. My family lives in Chicago and a lot of companies got hit really hard there as well.

So I guess I thought if I´m going to try fighting for work, why do it in a place I love. :)

In regards to work in Spain, I am definitely applying here as well, but it´s a bit harder. I don´t have an EU work permit and I am not an EU national and they really don´t like giving those out as much....If I do get work here, I am putting myself really far away from my family and I would like easier access to them :D....

So my other thought with Puerto Rico was that if I get my Master´s Degree there, in the meantime I can create a network and wait while the economy does get better. So by the time I get out of school I have better odds.

Where in Spain is your daughter doing that? I would love to do that in Puerto Rico, go for a couple months and figure it out, but I would need a place to stay, which brings me to another question, is it possible to rent a room somewhere for a month or two, instead of the mini-hotels? They seem to be entirely above my budget to spend for rent on a monthly basis :/

Please, please, please, give me advice on anything you think I missed on asking! Thank you for that.....I do know that in regards to work the salaries are less than the states, but expenses of living are also less...no?

muchas gracias!
saludos de Barcelona,
Lana

P.S. can I adopt you as my Puerto Rican Mommy??? I think you are absolutely wonderful! :D

Answer
Hola, Lana.
I appreciate your kind words.  Adoption accepted.
One of my clients, recently in Puerto Rico and soon in her way to her new job in Amsterdam, also like to call me her mother in Puerto Rico.  I think that's not just for my services while she was in Puerto Rico, but perhaps because of my personal view of life, family and children.
My daughter is now in London, but she will be staying several months in Switzerland, then Italy, France, back to London.  From there, she is traveling to Bermuda for a couple of weeks.  She will get back to the US for 3 months, but she will then relocate to Australia for a year.  She won't be visiting Spain this year, although I know she would love to do that soon.
For lodging in Puerto Rico, check the following site:
http://www.clasificadosonline.com/
For the assistance of a realtor in Puerto Rico with rental options, go to:
http://www.myrealtorinpr.com/

Un abrazo,
Nancy