How Many Expats Have a Masters Degree and/or PhD (they are not using)

[simon43 13676]

I have a Masters degree from University College, London (UCL) in Microwaves and Fourier Optics, as well as a First Class Honours degree in Electronics & Communications Engineering.  I worked for about 15 years in Europe as a designer of space flight hardware and integration manager of spaceflight and ground-based projects, mainly for European Space Agency science projects.

 

When I moved to Thailand around 2002, I applied for a vacancy as head of space research, a position that I was well-qualified for.  I was rejected out of hand because I wasn't Thai...

 

Although I no longer work in the space sector (I'm an online science teacher), I still 'dabble'.  I've designed and am currently building a Cubesat in my living room (it's a small satellite that's about the size of a Rubik's Cube).

 

I'll give Thailand a miss with assistance.  I now live in Laos

[Pilotman 20588]

31 minutes ago, doctormann said:

First degree in Applied Physics, more than 50 years ago.

Varied scientific career, ending up in Nuclear Reprocessing - you don't need to ask where!

Took early retirement and went back to university to do a PhD in Nuclear Instrumentation Engineering - just because i wanted to - and I was getting sponsored as well so there was money in it.

No use to anyone now - far too old and brain has gone soft.

i was offered a university teaching post when I first came to Thailand but, frankly, it was just too much hassle so I never took it up.

 

your 'soft brain', which I am sure is not true, is probably better that 99% of the available 'talent' in Thailand right now. 

[Pilotman 20588]

We all look to maybe trying teaching, but  a higher degree and experience mean that such qualified expats could make a much more effective contribution than just teaching English, or even within our speciality. Our use does not need to begin and end with teaching. Consultancy is obviously one area, mentoring, leading teams, pier reviews, supervision, one of stand alone projects; all should be possible, but aren't, not if you want to keep within the visa regulations.  

[Kwasaki 11650]

I'm retired here, so my construction & roofing expertise is also, although I try help here on TV.

My awarded fellowship which took some 10 years gave me letters after my name and is regarded as a PHD in Asia but not in Europe.

I have try to help Thais to taking pride in the building finishing work to no avail the only one in 15 years was a Thai carpenter but he didn't need help his work was faultless so there are Thai persons about excellent at their work.

As for Thai pilots, engineering etc etc I would guess their trained in the west as I found many architects are. 

 

[norfolkandchance 755]

22 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Why? It was a lot of money in 1990.

It was indeed. I left the military in 1991.

[beachproperty 2549]

Law degree. Spent 10 years practicing law (Trial lawyer for a boutique firm). Retired at 37 and started traveling. At 50 came to Thailand and met my wife......been here since (16 years). Don't believe my law degree translates well into a career in Thailand...

[shy coconut 1452]

19 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I have a Masters degree from University College, London (UCL) in Microwaves and Fourier Optics, as well as a First Class Honours degree in Electronics & Communications Engineering.  I worked for about 15 years in Europe as a designer of space flight hardware and integration manager of spaceflight and ground-based projects, mainly for European Space Agency science projects.

 

When I moved to Thailand around 2002, I applied for a vacancy as head of space research, a position that I was well-qualified for.  I was rejected out of hand because I wasn't Thai...

 

Although I no longer work in the space sector (I'm an online science teacher), I still 'dabble'.  I've designed and am currently building a Cubesat in my living room (it's a small satellite that's about the size of a Rubik's Cube).

 

I'll give Thailand a miss with assistance.  I now live in Laos

Being such a clever clogs, you would have thought you would join, or even

create a Laos visa forum for superior expats express their sadness at living there.

[SteveK 8602]

32 minutes ago, norfolkandchance said:

Well I’m glad I’m not clever. I wouldn’t get out of bed for 10000 baht.

I'd get out of bed for any useful endeavour, any money would be a bonus. 

[Neeranam 8905]

19 hours ago, norfolkandchance said:

It was indeed. I left the military in 1991.

 

I see, you have a chip on your shoulder about qualified people, so want to brag about your wealth, fair enough. 

[BangkokReady 1636]

Sadly, for any qualified and experienced expat to be able to make a reasonable contribution to Thai society, Thais would have to admit something that they never will...

 

It's a real shame.  Obviously it doesn't apply to everyone, but there must be many expats here that have superior education and work experience to average Thais and are a completely wasted resource.

 

An evening or weekend class once a week.  Wouldn't be hard to set up.  Probably a lot of people would volunteer to do it for free.

[Neeranam 8905]

6 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

It's a real shame.  Obviously it doesn't apply to everyone, but there must be many expats here that have superior education and work experience to average Thais and are a completely wasted resource.

The problem is that many expats are too lazy to learn the language of their adopted country. 

[Pilotman 20588]

4 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

The problem is that many expats are too lazy to learn the language of their adopted country. 

True, but I for one do not see Thailand as my 'adopted country'.  I live here, sure, but I am only too well aware that to the Thai immigration, I am a temporary guest, limited each year to just 12 months of certain residency.  That is not much motivation to put in a great deal of effort learning a language that is only spoken by Thais. I also speak, as a native speaker, the only World language that is as close to a universal language that you can get.  I think the effort to learn English lies with the Thais. 

Edited June 1, 2020 by Pilotman

[BritManToo 46666]

52 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Many of them have helped you fulfill your deepest desires.

They were all paid.

If the Thais want to pay me, I'd probably feel a little more co-operative.

[CGW 9861]

51 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Why? It was a lot of money in 1990.

I was figuring it was a long time ago, in 2013, before the current downturn, the most mediocre of drilling engineers was making 30k THB a day. Now everyone is unemployed and would be content to make 10k a day - swings and roundabouts!

[Kwasaki 11650]

15 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

Bit off topic, but Thai civil pilots and ATC Controllers, are fine, well qualified and competent.  Not so much with the Military pilots, who, if memory serves me right, were competent at the mechanics of flying , but not good at fighting the aircraft they were flying.  I mixed with them at "Red Flag" in the US, circa 1980s. They were taken out early, on every exercise they were involved in.  Their formation flying was atrocious, same with their ultra  low flying, which was a pre requisite for survival in Red Flag.  As far as I know, they never participated again.  That may have changed of course, its a long time ago.  

Yeah well when it comes to military, Thais as I see it only play amateur a friend of mine who came here from UK to train army said it was like a joke.

I guess Thai airways must have good

pilots to watch the the auto systems.

[thequietman 11644]

Using the Masters, But my Doctorate is not recognised by those in charge of education here!

 

My bachelors from one of the top uni's in the UK wasn't recognised either. LOL

 

Initially, it was frustrating, but I am used to their nonsense at this point, and just move on.  Interestingly, a Rajabhat doctorate is readily accepted and I know the shambles that they are.

[johnray 536]

2 hours ago, SteveK said:

I would love to be able to help out teaching English, as I know that the local English teacher in my village is useless. I don't care too much about the salary as I don't have much in the way of outgoings, but obviously the red tape is horrendous.

 

A little bit of pocket money, a chance to meet some new people and improve my Thai whilst hopefully making a significant improvement to the school's English lessons. Everyone wins, but it's just a nightmare to do and stay 100% above board (no way would I risk working without everything in place).

You will care about the money when you realize how low it is.  Let's just say you could eat your entire salary at lunch.  White people get paid ten times more for the same job plus a bunch of bonuses.  Filipinos at the bottom.  Blacks not considered.

[MartinL 1150]

No Masters or Doctorate but I was a Chartered Engineer in UK, which is an advanced qualification of sorts so I hope that qualifies for inclusion in this thread. A Masters Degree is required for Chartered status nowadays but a Bachelor Degree was sufficient at the time I qualified.

 

Late in life I decided to study part-time for that Masters, purely out of interest rather than for career advancement and, halfway through, I suddenly decided I'd had enough. I was already very heavily involved with a Thai woman - now my wife of 11 years - I met when she visited her friend in UK who was married to my own friend. Following discussions with her, I packed-up work and came to Thailand.

 

The only use I've found for my professional qualification, since I've no interest in working again (certainly not teaching English in schools, which is all there is in this vicinity), is in the countersigning of a few passport applications and Proof of Life certificates.

 

Oh, tell a lie; I 'helped' a Thai engineering undergraduate with her Engineering English and engineering theory in English. She's now working as an engineer somewhere in USA and she paid me one of the best compliments I've ever received - something like "You made me interested in English and if you didn't help me, I wouldn't be working in America and have an American husband". 

Edited June 1, 2020 by MartinL

[2 is 1 3041]

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Why would I want to help Thais?

Maybe get some benefit to your self! Like money, if you don't need that maybe something else.

Me Master of Engineering. But always have done construction-, sales job. Most whit my own company.

[VocalNeal 7608]

3 hours ago, Pilotman said:

and that they are not using here.

One would think they are used everyday. Even, if only for the sake of not posting BS on ThaiVisa?

[Peterw42 14025]

I have two Masters that I don't use, Master of Technology Management and an MBA. On a Married extension so technically I could work but it would involve a move to Bangkok and wear a suit etc, defeats the whole reason I moved here in the first place.

[ThomasThBKK 5023]

CompSci and Math, could easily use it here but can't be bothered with work permit nonsense.

 

So i just go to singapore and dubai for business and my money stays there too... up to them i guess...literally their loss. 

[Donekys 90]

PhD in international finance that i never really used...ended up consulting. Surely now my knowledge is outdated and out of practice. Pretty sure it's not useful to anyone.

[BangkokReady 1636]

3 hours ago, Neeranam said:

The problem is that many expats are too lazy to learn the language of their adopted country. 

I would have thought the real problem was that Thais have not only a pretty poor grasp of English, but no real appreciation for how useful it is as a lingua franca.  It's pretty much the language of academia, science, technology, business, even entertainment.

 

If Thais accepted the importance of English to engage with the world and made a real effort to learn it, they would not only be able to better take advantage of all the free information available in their country and world-wide, but also be set to engage in business in ASEAN and beyond.

 

Should expats learn the language of the country they call home?  Of course.  But given the age of expats vs. the age of students, combined with the ease of learning English compared with learning Thai, it seems pretty obvious which is the more practical.

[BritManToo 46666]

4 hours ago, Neeranam said:

The problem is that many expats are too lazy to learn the language of their adopted country. 

I'm too lazy to get out of bed in the morning.

According to the stamp in my passport Thailand isn't my adopted country, I'm just here for 90 days.

Edited June 1, 2020 by BritManToo

[simon43 13676]

Being such a clever clogs, you would have thought you would join, or even create a Laos visa forum for superior expats express their sadness at living there.

 

Web forums are past their prime, little money to be made IMHO.

 

I don't know about superior expats in Laos, since I don't speak with any foreigner here who looks miserable, which to date seems to be almost 100% of them.  But it was the same when I lived in Nong Khai, full of miserable or loony foreigners

 

[Neeranam 8905]

5 hours ago, johnray said:

  White people get paid ten times more for the same job plus a bunch of bonuses.  Filipinos at the bottom.  Blacks not considered.

Bit of an exaggeration. I know Filipinos that get the same as Whiteys in schools, but it is very low, and the same as it was 15 years ago. I worked at a university with one Filipino and an Indian 15 years ago, which was unusual - the India had an influential husband who owned a local factory.

My kids have black African teachers and I can hardly understand them, but good to see they are getting jobs, whether it is to save money or racism is decreasing. When I started work here in the mid 90s, I knew a black man from England(spoke like Trevor McDonought) who was hired remotely by ECC. He was taken around 20 branches in Bangkok and not one would take him on. He got a job on radio.  

[tomazbodner 3919]

I would not say that I don't use it. Not like my job has anything to do with what I studied, but what I've learned is useful every day. So overall still very useful. Then again, it's from only 5 years or so ago...

[shinawhat 17]

I have an MBA in Marketing from UGA.......taught here for 10 years and loved it.....problem is age......most schools don’t want an old geezer like me.....turned 59 today, June 2! 

[BobBKK 8719]

Yes I have two in management (one a standard MSc and other a research MA). Never used them here as I am retired. Also did a respected TEFL (yes, a real one) as a back-up but I really didn't like teaching and the money is dire here.

Edited June 2, 2020 by BobBKK