So, this is the latest in a series of posts about what my fiance might do for work when we move to the US so that I can start grad school.
The other day, when I mentioned to someone that she loves being/working with children, someone mentioned the 6-figure nanny phenomenon taking place in the US. I’ve read about it several times before, and this person said she knew of several people in New York who had them.
She didn’t know, however, how they went about hiring them.
So, just out of curiosity, how does one get a job as a Mandarin nanny? I’m kind of joking about the 6-figure thing (though it would be great if she did make that much!). I’m curious in general if there are employment agencies for this kind of thing or if you just put an add in the paper and wait.
I got to thinking about it because she would probably be perfect for a well-to-family who wants someone who is not only a native mandarin speaker but also well-educated (speaks French, English, and Chinese and has worked as an editor, journalist, translator, and teacher) and great with kids.
How would we explore this option?
The Mandarin Nanny market is said to be burgeoning over here also.
For the US, this article is over two years old but on the assumption that demand remains unabated your fiancée could try emailing a CV to JaNiece Rush at Lifestyle Resources. Although her website doesn’t specifically stipulate a requirement for Mandarin Nannies, Rush is much quoted in the article and she would be my first port of call if I wanted a job as a male Mandarin Nanny or, as JaNiece would prefer, a Mandarin Governor.
It’s easy for a Mandarin nanny to get six figures. 100,000 yuan is US$14,629.08.
We live in Taiwan. So, 100,000 here is only $3,341.07…
Even easier here. 100,000 is about US$950.
Does she have any credentials at all in early childhood ed? Friends of mine in NY would love a nanny with foreign language skills (though they would probably prefer Korean or Italian - mom is Korean, and dad is Italian). They aren’t going to pay 6 figures, but will pay a quite decent wage, plus benefits. But for that kind of a job, the person needs more credentials than just language ability.
First of all, I should mention here that we aren’t planning on getting back to the US until spring or summer of 2009.
As for credentials, she is a kindergarten teacher here, right now, and will soon be an art teacher for elementary school students once summer vacation’s over. She will also be taking courses in childhood development as well as a class on using art to teach children. On top of that, she has a masters in cultural mediation from France, and she translated a French book on how to teach children with learning disabilities from French into Chinese.
Finally, she is writing a book on cultural relations, namely ours.
Does all that count for nanny credentials? I would also be probably be able to get some letters of recommendation from some people back home for whom my fiance babysat.
One of the schools to which I’m applying is Columbia, so we may end up in New York (it’s my first choice), so if your friends are still interested, feel free to PM me.
Well, I think they will need someone long before that - they have a 2-year old and another baby due in a couple of months, and are having issues with their current nanny. But one never knows, so you should re-post once you are back in the states. And yeah, I’m certanily not looking to hire a nanny, but if I were, I’d probably want to talk to your GF.