English speaking tech jobs in Asia

[Alphathree33]

Cliff's notes, for all of you who hate reading:
- looking to make a move to Asia on a semi-permanent basis (2-3 years, say, to the extent that visas and the like will allow)

- career is in technology; started as a software developer, now working in a management capacity on the products/strategy/marketing side of things

- ideally, would be able to continue that career in Asia rather than be relegated to status of "English teacher"

- only fluent in English currently; obviously want to start learning a second language when I hit the ground in Asia

- most tech jobs I see posted out there require fluency in English and [Mandarin/Japanese/whatever], and also (presumably) expect local candidates to apply

- thinking about doing my MBA in Asia to build a network out there, but it's prohibitively expensive (total opportunity cost > $250K when you factor in lost salary)

- looking for any thoughts/advice/experiences you've had in these areas. Options:
-- Apply to jobs remotely, looking for opportunities that require only English up front and is seeking international talent.
-- Work as an English Teacher in Asia first, and build my network and language skills with time.
-- Do an MBA in Asia. Spend a bucketload of money. Build up a network and language skills.
-- Work for a North American company that needs to build up a presence in Asia and have them put me on an expat package.

 

[blackdogdeek]

-- Work for a North American company that needs to build up a presence in Asia and have them put me on an expat package.

i believe this one is the easiest. if you can get a job with an iBank it should be pretty easy to eventually move to asia (relative to your other methods). i have a friend who went to singapore and another who went to the UK via these routes. almost all iBanks will have global presence already.

 

[Born2bwire]

You could try joining a western firm's Asian branch. Like blackdogdeek said, if you look at financial institutions you should find plenty of options. You can get to places like Hong Kong or Singapore which have numerous western firms but would not put you adrift in a foreign language too much.

 

[ThePresence]

When you say Asia, be more specific.

 

[DesiPower]

Define "Asia"... Iran, japan, Mongolia, Indonesia...?