Ask Headmaster Ken

Hello Jack,

Rather than travel and enjoy yourself at minimum wage or less, bouncing from one dead-end stint to the next, may I suggest focusing instead on providing for that "beautiful daughter" you have. In my book, the travel-and-enjoy-yourself years end when you bring another life in the world depending upon you for support.

You can pretty much find a job in China despite how unqualified you are, if you are willing to work for similarly unqualified employers.

Were I in your shoes, I'd be back at the recruiter's office looking for a job with civilian applicable skill training, like medical equipment repair. That way your daughter has medical benefits and you are on a real career path.

Seriously, neither China nor the ESL world match the dreams peddled. The only thing you can offer the world at this point is your youth, and demonstrated willingness to serve your country. In a very few years you'll lose the former, leaving you as just another unemployed vet if you don't play your cards right.

It's time to grow up.

Sorry if I didn't tell you what you wanted to hear, but as a vet myself and someone deeply involved in the China EFL business, I'm telling you for your own good: man up, get some real skills and take care of your family. You'll save yourself a lot of grief down the road - especially when that beautiful daughter needs a first car, prom dress, and college tuition.