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How Have You Used Your TCK Gifts In the Workplace?

Posted by paulettebethel on October 1st, 2008 | Categorized as General Forum | Tagged as , | 173 views and 5 Comments

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Paulette Bethel

5 Comments to “How Have You Used Your TCK Gifts In the Workplace?”


5 Responses to “How Have You Used Your TCK Gifts In the Workplace?”

  1. 1
    Ayako Says:
    October 2nd, 2008 at 5:24 am

    In every office that I’ve worked in I’ve done some translating, interpreting or explained cultural differences.

    There were times when the Japanese would get very angry at the way Americans were behaving but sometimes if you explained to them where they were coming from - the level of anger would go down a few notches. This, however, is assuming that the Japanese we’re talking about were still being reasonable. Same goes for the Americans.

    If a person who’s bi-cultural and bi-lingual does the interpreting, you’ll just have a lot more laughter at any meeting. This was definitely a big plus.

    Of course some people just don’t want to listen to any reason and just want people to do exactly what they say and to such people, any kind of cross cultural explanations fall to deaf ears. I’ve seen this across the board. But I even managed to make these people laugh on a good day. ;)

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  2. 2
    mairabay Says:
    October 4th, 2008 at 3:09 pm

    Other than speaking English I haven’t used any of my skills (at least not consciously), but then again, I only learned about TCK around a year ago. So the awareness that I have these skills and that I can use them is very recent to me.

    If other people have good experiences, please do share!

    Come on, people! 48 views and only me and Ayako have something to say?! :P

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  3. 3
    Kristina J. Adams Says:
    October 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

    I got my teaching degree 12 years ago in elementary education.

    An initial freakout brought me to the point where I tried to work at a travel agency (:)) after spending 40 thousand + dollars on an ed degree (that was popular w/the hubbie).

    After a few years of working for a tutoring establishment and subbing, I was able to secure a position teaching exploratory German and Spanish in middle school(7th and 8th grade). Even tho I’d never taken a Spanish class in my life(I had 5 yrs of French tho, that helped) and wasn’t paper qualified to teach middle school. I believe my resume with travel experience was COMPLETELY instrumental in secruring me the job.

    Loved that and since my repatration occured when I was in middle school I related really well to my students. I vividly remember the feelings of freakout, compounded by all the TCK “stuff” I was dealing with…which many kids have their versions of (divorce, loss, grief, ETC!)

    After 8 years of foreign language, I am now teaching 6th grade social studies, world civilations- right up my alley! :) It’s been great to bring a high level of personal excitement to a very content oriented subject.

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  4. 4
    Cynthia Says:
    December 14th, 2008 at 11:28 pm

    Wow only 3 comments? LOL I can’t believe I missed this post!

    I think it’s my ability to understand both sides of things. However I still find myself struggling to understand the Chinese culture (it’s quite different from the Taiwanese culture but even that I don’t really understand LOL) and leaning more towards the Western/American culture. But at least it helps me understand where each side is coming from. But like Ayako said sometimes it works only if the other person is willing to listen. There are times where each side just kinda brush it off.

    I’m pretty much the go-to person when it comes to communicating (translator) between my Shanghai and US companies. Even though I don’t understand the Chinese culture as much but at least I am willing to set aside my Western side and try to understand them. Because without doing that will definitely interfere with the understanding and the opinion.

    There are times where my efforts become meaningless (the differences just doesn’t register) but at least I tried and at least both sides get a glimpse of what’s really the issue but in the end it’s up to them to do whatever they need to do.

    My boss calls me a fast-learner and I give credit to the TCK background (having to always adapt to new situations quickly).

    Hopefully I don’t sound like I’m boasting!

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  5. 5
    Brice Says:
    December 15th, 2008 at 1:05 am

    I agree with Cynthia - it helps to be able to adapt to situations quickly and be able to understand both sides of things. =)

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