I really need advice

[Spade Lead]

Going to Taiwan would be really selfish of me, since it will cause my brother a lot of inconvenience

You can't do what makes everyone else happy, you need to live for yourself. My roommate fucked me over because I had to sign a new lease and then he moved out three months later. If you aren't putting your brother in that situation, go for it. If you have to, wait until the lease expires THEN go...

 

[Aulleas123]

I moved all the way out to DC to get that contracting job.
...
3. Move to Taiwan to teach English.

If you like teaching, then do it here.

Seriously, DC, Southern Maryland, and Northern Virginia have really good school systems. If you need an immediate job, become a substitute teacher. Most counties offer the job for an hourly basis, you choose where and when you'd like to work, and it gives you an idea of what you'd like to teach if you start teaching. From subbing in the area, you can move to get educated in becoming a full time teacher. Sooner depending on what you'd like to teach.

Don't give up. You're right that our job market sucks right now, but this will be sure to start you off and get some money in your pocket.

 

[Xhoyl]

Personally, it depends on what you really want to do. I know that's very vague, but let me explain. See, I am a creative writing major (or am currently in my third year of schooling to get one) so in your current situation, I would keep living with my brother so I could keep writing and trying to get something published. I don't know if I'll have that kind of option when I finish my degree, so I might be a tad bias And as mentioned by someone, teaching might seem like a good idea until you can get something out there, if that's what you want, but I've heard it can really take the time from your life you would otherwise need for writing. So it should only be done in moderation as a result if at all possible. Now, once again, this is just my opinion, and based on the fact that I want to be a published writer almost more than anything else in the world, so I'm willing to make some potentially stupid decisions to obtain that goal. So take it with a grain of salt and pepper.

 

[ScoopMeister]

I say go with your heart on this one. Taiwan sounds like a great opportunity, and it'll look good on your CV, too. Also, never give up that dream of being a writer.
Good luck, whatever your decision hope it works out for the best in the end.
As an aside, if you do go for that teaching job, it'd be great if you maybe gave us an update of how it goes for you at some point.

EDIT: I thought I'd include this:

Personally, it depends on what you really want to do. I know that's very vague, but let me explain. See, I am a creative writing major (or am currently in my third year of schooling to get one) so in your current situation, I would keep living with my brother so I could keep writing and trying to get something published. I don't know if I'll have that kind of option when I finish my degree, so I might be a tad bias And as mentioned by someone, teaching might seem like a good idea until you can get something out there, if that's what you want, but I've heard it can really take the time from your life you would otherwise need for writing. So it should only be done in moderation as a result if at all possible. Now, once again, this is just my opinion, and based on the fact that I want to be a published writer almost more than anything else in the world, so I'm willing to make some potentially stupid decisions to obtain that goal. So take it with a grain of salt and pepper.

Since I'm in almost the same boat, except a few years behind and in the UK (so there will be no 'major'), this made me smile.

 

[Windupferrari]

Well, I'm a high school senior, so I really don't have the experience to back this up, but here's what I'd do. Go to Taiwan and teach for a year. Not being unemployed will make you feel better, and it will look great on your resume. If after a year you feel this is something you like and want to keep doing, then do it. If end up liking it but want to go back to America, then come back and apply for a job as a teacher. As someone with expertise in writing, history, and a foreign language, I think you'll look pretty enticing to some school. Hopefully, by then the economy will be on the way back up and the job market will be better. If you decide you want to try writing again, you could come back and apply for a job as either a substitute teacher or a tutor (for which you would be very overqualified and practically guaranteed a job). You'll be making some money, and you'll have plenty of time for writing or helping your brother on the side. It may be a bit of a holding pattern, but I'd bet my house (if I had one) that the economy and the jobs market will pick up at some point in the next few years. Worst case scenario, you at least end up a few years from now with a year teaching in Taiwan and a few years as a sub/tutor added to your resume. Maybe by then China will have emerged as a super power and English-Chinese translators will be in high demand.

Whatever you choose, good luck. And remember that your situation is never as bad as you think. You have a loving family that's willing to help you out, and that's more than a lot of people have.