Thinking about moving to Colombia... jobs?

chingon says on Oct 22, 2008, 13:14:

be a mercenary

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Monita Linda says on Oct 22, 2008, 13:19:

Teaching?

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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kalder says on Oct 22, 2008, 13:24:

Unless they own their own business, teaching English is the only career I've ever heard of gringos following in Colombia.

Without impeccable local knowledge, I doubt being in any security post would be particularly safe for you or worth anyone's while. And why make yourself such a target? You could have a pleasant life on that pension. And, if you were bored, you could always get involved in some charity work.

Good luck anyway

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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SanDiegoSurf says on Oct 22, 2008, 13:25:

Posting about finding a job in Colombia on PBH kind of negates the "I have a genius IQ" comment..

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jeff8875 says on Oct 22, 2008, 13:26:

Well Chingon, having ethics and morals, I wouldn't sell my self to the highest bidder, protecting people\places\things is one thing, even subcontracting for a governement entity I would accept, but I would not like to hurt good people. With mercs you go where you are told and do what you are told. Not really for me.

Monita, I could probably help teach thier military or private security, I have taught before, but not sure if I would like sitting in a classroom 8 hours a day 5 days a week teaching english.

SanDiegosurf, you made me chuckle, I am not looking for a job per se on here, I am looking for ideas and thoughts as to what is plausable. Often what sounds good on paper (or in the US) is not reality on the ground.

I have considered opening a business showing tourists around etc... something fun, easy going.

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TobyBoy says on Oct 22, 2008, 13:36:

Jeff... You've got it made!

1. You don't have to work.
2. But if you want; You can easily get high-end security work (try ANY embassy /Intl. Corp, etc).
3. You are already a polyglot.

...and most important of all, you've got the SMARTS to move to wonderful Colombia, while the world starts to burn.

Congratulations ! ...and all my best!!!

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badboy says on Oct 22, 2008, 13:37:

jeff said..."I am quite suited to executive protection, or private security type stuff due to my expertise in most handguns, rifles and my martial arts experience".

maybe one of the multi-national corporations with operations in colombia. if one of those languages is spanish that will be far more valuable than a high iq.

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jeff8875 says on Oct 22, 2008, 13:45:

Well I only add IQ because there is a perception out there that military and law enforcement are stupid, I just want it understood that this is not the case, especially in federal law enforcement.

Spanish is one of my languages, but I am not fluent however my pronunciation, unlike most americans, is perfect. Most people think I am colombian due to learning colombian spanish and mimicking my colombian friends accents. I could easily become fluent in a few months.

TobyBoy, that is sort of my question, if there is high end security work in Colombia for an american.

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jorgegdiaz (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2008, 13:45:

Monita Linda says on Oct 22, 2008, 13:48:

Well you don't have to teach English. You can teach other classes..

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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sandman0011 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2008, 14:06:

Realestate would afford you some moving around ability (not in a class 8 hours); you could kinda work when you wanted to or had a prospect; great way to learn your way around the city.

Try Rich at rich at firstamericanrealtymedellin.com

There may be some part time teaching opportunities at www.medellinlanguageinstitute.com They have some very unique 5 day 2 hour per day classes they offer.

www.medellintravelguide.com www.medellinofficerentalswww.medellinlanguageinstitute.com

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 22, 2008, 14:06:

I have a cousin who used to work for the fiscalía and got fired because of a "misunderstanding" or so he told his family. But anyway, a few years ago he was able to find a good job for a security company. Last I heard he was in another weird thing and was hiding in Manizales. He says it was job related but this guy is so shady, you never know.

So yeah, I think you can find a job related to that field if you set your mind to it.

Diana

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sandman0011 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2008, 14:06:

TobyBoy says on Oct 22, 2008, 14:41:

Hi Jeff,

There most certainly is work for an to be American doing high-end security. That said, a job may not materialize immediately, given the security checks that you may be put through prior to a job-offer, and given the particular government and/or corporation’s rules & regs.

The good thing is that oyu can appaerantly afford to wait for the right job offer.

Hoever, I think that it will be more important for oyu to get your visa-paper work in order, as any employer will address that issue first. Thre are banks such as Citibank that have operated in Colombia for nearly a century and who often receive high-level security visitors. Be sure to get to know the hig-end limo drivers; you’d be surprised the information they can impart. In that sense Bogota is very much like NYC or DC.

See if you can also connect with agencies and/or pilots doing private aviation work. Bogota has an important private-plane airport (aside from services at El Dorado). You could start with the US Embassy-Bogota, they often post jobs on their site.

You will be fine Jeff! …that said, please remember that relocating is never a piece of cake, even when you do it within the same country, and it is expensive.

But I firmly believe that it will be the best investment ever, and you will have a wonderful life in Colombia.

Again, my sincere best wishes!

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La_Huella says on Oct 22, 2008, 14:46:

Once your Spanish is up to par, you would have no problem working in security. PM me if you want, I could get you on to the right people.

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jeff8875 says on Oct 22, 2008, 14:50:

Toyboy,

Thanks for you excellent post, I have a lot of experience in the aviation field and have been working on my private pilots license, though that may not mean much in Colombia! :) I have held a Top Secret clearance for almost 13 years so the security checks should be a breeze

Do you think I would need to work in bogota, or just that there will be more jobs there? I always thought about moving to medellin because I love paisas mostly! and I heard the city is beautiful. Honestly I havent been to either though, only cali, tulua, cartagena and santa marta.

The real estate would be a great thing as well.

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TobyBoy says on Oct 22, 2008, 14:51:

Jeff, by the way, I knew you indeed had high IQ. REALLY! -no kidding.

f anything, it is sad to know that there are such silly assumptions by otheres that it compells you to write that disclaimer, but I DO understand.

Anyway, while others may laugh at me for saying this; I have already noticed the smartest Americans who have traveleld a lot, happen to love Coloombia.

And the very, very smart Americans that I know, are alredy thinking of leaving the USA, even people to whom such a thought had never crossed their minds -ever before.

Count your blessings smart guy (and do not let the detractors fool you like in 1930's Germany) !

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TobyBoy says on Oct 22, 2008, 14:52:

Did you mean that for me TOBY-BOY ??? or the OTHER poster Toy-boy ?

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TobyBoy says on Oct 22, 2008, 14:54:

Jeff, get to know Bogota weel and develop contacts. Work in most any other city (at your level) may actually start in Bogota. In any case you will find magic throughout most of Colombia.

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TobyBoy says on Oct 22, 2008, 14:55:

Oh, and when I get back ot Colombia, I too will see what I can do for you.

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Bill Turley (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2008, 15:06:

TobyBoy says on Oct 22, 2008, 15:09:

Good advice Bill, and I also for got to mention to Jeff to chek-in iwth the Drummond, Rio Tinto and other US companies like that, prior to leaving the US.

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Tejeringo says on Oct 22, 2008, 15:13:

mmm, a U.S military guy in Colombia! and this is only the beginning......

on topic , Colombia is very small, once Drug Dealers know your wherabouts they will start making hard to refuse "job" offers , think about that ...

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jeff8875 says on Oct 22, 2008, 15:13:

Thanks a lot for all of your help, and my apologies for screwing up your name TobyBoy :) I have been to 27 countries and to live, my favorites are Colombia, Costa Rica and probably Portugal.

La Huella I will send you a PM.

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TobyBoy says on Oct 22, 2008, 15:20:

Yep, I now the feeling. It is because I have travelled so much too, that I have seen the Colombian light (southern Portugal, like south-west France is great) !

By the way, I've been called a ToyBoy before.

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jeff8875 says on Oct 22, 2008, 15:20:

I have copies of all my clearance docs :) I keep that, you never know when the government will have a "fire" and loose stuff. That being said, they government doesnt do anything that doesnt benefit them.

Those companies are ones that I dont even know have contracts in Colombia, and the type of information I was looking for... though I dont have to be a gun toting cowboy! :)

Tejeringo, I got out of the military almost 10 years ago, not really a military guy anymore jajaja!

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ujay says on Oct 22, 2008, 15:46:

jeff e mail me ,i will give you the numbers to call ,these companys only take on ex pats private security,and a e mail of a d.e.a guy that works here ,check out over there your d.e.a. are working here.
i know the expats SAS working for the oil are on 8000 dollars a month ,2 months on a month off.

http://www.jukelightning.com

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btwells72 says on Oct 22, 2008, 16:26:

Jeff8875... WHat branch of service just out of curiosity? Good luck on the job hunt.

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jeff8875 says on Oct 22, 2008, 17:31:

I was in the army....Nuclear biological chemical operations guy, then recon then national guard while i was a police officer. Thanks ujay, PM coming ;)

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btwells72 says on Oct 22, 2008, 17:36:

NBC... hmmm ok. I remember that, at least the training. Donning gas masks and all that. Recon? I always associated that with the Marines (i.e. Force Recon) but cool. I was a jarhead. Also in the Army reserves for awhile in Tucson. Good luck bro. I got bit by the Colombia bug too... And that's after travelling all over the globe with the Marines and later with Peace Corps.

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ujay says on Oct 22, 2008, 18:17:

e mail sent jeff ,hope it helps

http://www.jukelightning.com

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esanch36 says on Oct 23, 2008, 06:35:

also looking into companies like Blackwater and a couple others...they do business in colombia

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larryrn says on Oct 23, 2008, 09:01:

Security consultant as a contractor -- without a contract. Have them consult your american business named after you so the check (in pesos) will be made payable to you.

This has worked for me. Here a contract means you are in an employee / employer relationship and the employer is responsible for insurance, pension, etc. It's very hard for a gringo to find employment under these terms and I don't see the advantage.

I have worked as a consultant doing computer work and was paid by check which I am able to cash with my passport.

Also, recently I picked up Blue Cross Blue Shield private insurance of Florida and they cover my expenses (after deductible, which I haven't even come close to) here in Medellin at Clinica Las De Americas if I were admitted to the hospital (I haven't checked with other hospitals but friends tell me this is the best hospital in town).

Larry

Larry Snyder, www.rn.org

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