Higher paying jobs in Asia?

[lalalalala]

I'm a high school student attending UTSC Management BBA next year. I'm wondering what are people's opinion/knowledge on working in Asia? Is there better pay? Or am I, having a Canadian education has a better advantage and more opportunities for advancement compared to Canada? Given that I will work hard either way? IMO, there aren't as many opportunities in Canada... But that's just my living-in-a-bubble opinion.

As of this moment, I think my dream is to help direct marketing and product & research in either cosmetic, skincare, or fashion industry. So perhaps I should also have some sort of science background? I also don't really believe there is that much of those industries in Canada.

Well, please enlighten me

[Churo1]

Of course. Remember that rich chinese guy from the dark knight? Remember how rich and important he was? That could be you one day. "Shoot for the gold and if you miss you will land in a pile of silver".
-Confucious

[em]

No need to laugh at OP because as a matter of fact, there are some high paying jobs in this "marketing and product & research in either cosmetic, skincare, or fashion industry" field in Asia. But it's not easy and you need network....

[lalalalala]

Well, I believe network is essential everywhere. I'm only speaking of better opportunities, given that a Canadian education is more common in Canada then say Asia, which I assume would be a good advantage. I'm simply asking for the degree of advantage.

[206bw]

I have friends who have done coop workterms in Hong Kong before (we are also from UTSC BBA coop). The pay is actually lower on average compared to canada. But i heard its how things work there, low pay slaves for coops/interns/fresh grads.

Work is actually a lot more busy and fast paced, strict deadlines, overtime ect are common. But life there is a lot more vibrant. Shopping, eating, more common 24/7 shops and resturaunts, Lan Kwai Fong ect ect.

[d00n]

I actually got a buddy who works at L'Oreal in Japan doing marketing. He graduated from McMaster University from the Commerce program. So I think it's definitely possible. I assume you are fluent in a particular Asian language? Wouldn't that narrow down the possibilities for you?

I know he got the job based on a specific job fair in the US geared towards bilingual Japanese-English graduates in various fields, mainly business though. So perhaps you can find something like that? Since I'm monolingual for the most part, I've never really looked into those kinds of targeted job fairs.

And I think the pay is higher but the standard of living is also more expensive, right? So I guess it depends on what your plan is.

[yesstyle]

working in asia, particularly in Hong Kong is very competitive compared to NA. Other workers will 'step' on you or do whatever it takes to be better than you.

[Churo1]

Asia is the hidden shangri-la. Clean air, wide open fields, bountiful jobs, friendly, open-minded people, benevolent governments. Asia has it all.

[Churo1]

working in asia, particularly in Hong Kong is very competitive compared to NA. Other workers will 'step' on you or do whatever it takes to be better than you.

Sounds like a baseless anecdote to me. What do you have to support this claim?

[ricsad]

Lots of competition in Asia; not just for the poor people from the fields. But since you're fluent in English, you'll get a head start compared to people the same skill in almost any industry.

Are you good looking? They're more picky about how you look. For example, here in Canada you can work in a skin care store even if you have acne. In Asia, that's still possible but not as likely to happen. You know how they say that looks matter and they just don't say it? It happens more in Asia. If you're a representative, salesperson, or anything where you'll be dealing with customers, they prefer younger, taller, and better looking people.

[sardaukar]

Asia is the hidden shangri-la. Clean air, wide open fields, bountiful jobs, friendly, open-minded people, benevolent governments. Asia has it all.

Love your sarcasm bro. Keep it up!

[sardaukar]

In Asia as a fresh university grad, as compared to Canada you will likely receive lower pay but work a lot more hours. All that talk about vibrant Asian lifestyle and such... that's for the rich people. Someone who works six days a week (this is common), 13+ hours a day barely has time to sleep, let alone enjoying what "vibrant" lifestyle Asia has to offer.

If you're good and are able to move up the ranks, then higher paying jobs would be possible. That is, provided that you survive the first years of corporate slavery and extremely meager pay.

[lalalalala]

Oh really. Thanks for the replies.

I suppose the Asian corporate world is much more competitive. I think sometimes I just have to try it out myself and see.

I'm really hopeful that my coop job could be abroad.

[gilboman]

I have friends who have done coop workterms in Hong Kong before (we are also from UTSC BBA coop). The pay is actually lower on average compared to canada. But i heard its how things work there, low pay slaves for coops/interns/fresh grads.

Work is actually a lot more busy and fast paced, strict deadlines, overtime ect are common. But life there is a lot more vibrant. Shopping, eating, more common 24/7 shops and resturaunts, Lan Kwai Fong ect ect.

working a typical 9-7 day and saturdays. where's the time to goto Lan Kwai Fong and enjoy the more vibrant night life? i know a lot of friends who went back and its really a lot less free time than here. Also, they get just as bored as when they're here once you get used to the "newness" of the place. Its really the samething, bars or clubs or eat out.

[Churo1]

Oh really. Thanks for the replies.

I suppose the Asian corporate world is much more competitive. I think sometimes I just have to try it out myself and see.

I'm really hopeful that my coop job could be abroad.

Sounds like you've bought right into Asia's tourism marketing plans. Good for you, keep the economy rolling.