Hi, I am starting my PGCE with QTS this September in the UK and expect to graduate by June 2026. My subject is Secondary Maths. I will likely gain some A Level experience in school placements.
I want to start job hunting while still studying, but obviously given that the PGCE/QTS is conditional, I want to be more strategic with my search to maximise interview potential. (and not waste time with schools with 0 chance.)
Background:
-2 years teaching IBDP and IGCSE Maths in Asia as an unqualified teacher.
-CELTA certificate
-Canadian citizen
-degrees (MA and BA) not in maths, only a minor in maths
-some French and German knowledge (French close to B1, German A2)
-no dependents
-Ethnically East Asian
I'm ruling out China for personal reasons, and generally don't favour East Asia for I had first-hand experience of being expected to do more/variations of sexism and racism just because I'm ethnically East Asian (woman).
I'm most interested in France/Germany/Austria/Belgium/Luxembourg but I know these are just too competitive and my language is not good enough right now.
So I'm thinking: what's the best place to apply to as my first post-PGCE school? I'm not looking for immediate benefits like saving potential or lifestyle, but for better chances of going to one of the French/German speaking countries I listed... eventually.
Currently I'm thinking: UAE or Eastern Europe or the Baltics (or the nordics but I'm not sure about their language requirements). Or, I can also do my ECT two years in the UK first. I'm also open to Latin America, just need a bit more info on living there. Generally prefer colder climate but not a deal breaker.
Where would I have a better chance when I apply in December-February, given that I won't graduate until June? Or should I only start applying after June for a better school? What difference does it make re: applying while still studying vs. after getting the degree? What would be the best timing and areas to target?
Any advice appreciated, thanks!
Application strategy while still doing PGCE/QTS
Response
Short Answer: You should apply for all vacancies anywhere you would be comfortable traveling to.
Long Answer:
You are making choices before you have options. You need options first, thus you should apply for all vacancies anywhere you would be comfortable traveling to. If you wouldnt be comfortable living in China than maybe dont apply there (though you could use the opportunity to hone your interviewing skills ). The cost of application, even to ISs with very low probability of success, is almost if not zero. It takes less than a a minute to apply so your not saving much by not applying to vacancies you think are out of reach.
Youre not going to get much if any A levels experience and any experience you do get isnt going to generally be countable. Experience counts generally when the IT is the TOR for the course. Field Work experience generally isnt. You may have a class or lesson youre in charge of but you wont be issuing final marks/grades for the course, nor responsible for anything else outside of those lessons.
For on-circuit ISs your language ability is irrelevant as these ISs use English as their language of instruction. You have a better chance at lower tier off-circuit ISs, but youre host language ability probably needs to be better since their language of instruction is going to be in the host language.
Youre in a better position than most but just marginally. Youre IB and IGCSE experience is valuable and should be countable (though some ISs wont count experience prior to credentialing). Your minority status is going to work against you. Its not a wash though, the experience is a stronger advantage than your ethnicity is a weakness.
You have two options:
1) Off-Circuit - Youre going to be in the EUR during the year anyway start applying with the understanding your going to need to travel to interview in person.
2) On-Circuit - Apply for all vacancies anywhere you would be comfortable traveling to. Registering with SA through the UK office is free, as is TES, TIE will cost you about USD$50. The goal will be getting the highest tier IS you can.
Ideally if you can youre going to want to go to the BKK fair if you can get an invite and have the coin for the travel, otherwise the UK job fair is a good second and more convenient.
As to when. Youre not competitive for early recruiting yet but there are ISs that will want to lock in a maths IT vacancy as soon as they can. Most often the ISs that will respond to you are the ones hoping they can secure you before you have a later opportunity to see what youre really worth. You also dont want to apply so early that your application is forgotten as the pile of applicants grows larger and yours is closer to the bottom than the top. I wouldnt wait until December if your open to a lessor IS or think your lucky enough to be successful with early recruiting. If youre more comfortable forgoing early recruiting and want to focus on the main recruiting cycle than late November/Early December is a better target date.
As yo your resume or application. Put "Current", "Studying", "In progress", or some other indicator in the title with the future date you anticipate it being conferred. Avoid using the term "Conditional" in can imply you have a restricted or limited credential as opposed to studying for one. Include a brief statement of such at the beginning of your cover letter.
Long Answer:
You are making choices before you have options. You need options first, thus you should apply for all vacancies anywhere you would be comfortable traveling to. If you wouldnt be comfortable living in China than maybe dont apply there (though you could use the opportunity to hone your interviewing skills ). The cost of application, even to ISs with very low probability of success, is almost if not zero. It takes less than a a minute to apply so your not saving much by not applying to vacancies you think are out of reach.
Youre not going to get much if any A levels experience and any experience you do get isnt going to generally be countable. Experience counts generally when the IT is the TOR for the course. Field Work experience generally isnt. You may have a class or lesson youre in charge of but you wont be issuing final marks/grades for the course, nor responsible for anything else outside of those lessons.
For on-circuit ISs your language ability is irrelevant as these ISs use English as their language of instruction. You have a better chance at lower tier off-circuit ISs, but youre host language ability probably needs to be better since their language of instruction is going to be in the host language.
Youre in a better position than most but just marginally. Youre IB and IGCSE experience is valuable and should be countable (though some ISs wont count experience prior to credentialing). Your minority status is going to work against you. Its not a wash though, the experience is a stronger advantage than your ethnicity is a weakness.
You have two options:
1) Off-Circuit - Youre going to be in the EUR during the year anyway start applying with the understanding your going to need to travel to interview in person.
2) On-Circuit - Apply for all vacancies anywhere you would be comfortable traveling to. Registering with SA through the UK office is free, as is TES, TIE will cost you about USD$50. The goal will be getting the highest tier IS you can.
Ideally if you can youre going to want to go to the BKK fair if you can get an invite and have the coin for the travel, otherwise the UK job fair is a good second and more convenient.
As to when. Youre not competitive for early recruiting yet but there are ISs that will want to lock in a maths IT vacancy as soon as they can. Most often the ISs that will respond to you are the ones hoping they can secure you before you have a later opportunity to see what youre really worth. You also dont want to apply so early that your application is forgotten as the pile of applicants grows larger and yours is closer to the bottom than the top. I wouldnt wait until December if your open to a lessor IS or think your lucky enough to be successful with early recruiting. If youre more comfortable forgoing early recruiting and want to focus on the main recruiting cycle than late November/Early December is a better target date.
As yo your resume or application. Put "Current", "Studying", "In progress", or some other indicator in the title with the future date you anticipate it being conferred. Avoid using the term "Conditional" in can imply you have a restricted or limited credential as opposed to studying for one. Include a brief statement of such at the beginning of your cover letter.