Engineering Overseas: Canada, Europe, Asia, etc...

[DigiTan]

Yes. For the wisenheimers out there, Canada isn't overseas for me, but here's the scoop...

I wanted to throw this out there to anyone who might have advice on working overseas or anyone else who might be considering the same. Right now I'm a primary electrical engineer in the US. The job is going okay so far, but due to certain swings in the company's sanity levels, I believe opportunities for advancement and challenging assignments is drying up. Moreover, the dollar isn't quite as it used to be so I suspect being the multi-national or at least well-traveled may become the next "nitch skill" for the 21st century engineer.

So before I graduate to being the most-hated engineer in the hemisphere, I figured I'd save myself some unnecessary trouble and ask:

1. Where are some good employment prospects for english-speaking engineers (outside the U.S.)?

2. What are some good ways to apply for engineering jobs (or grad school) there?

3. What are some useful certifications/skills to have before applying in said country?

4. Besides a college degree, what are some credentials they may ask of foreigners?

More questions to come...

 

[DigiTan]

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! One at a time, everybody! Okay, maybe I'd better expand this.

5. Has anyone ever travelled/migrated from one country to another for engineering employment?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Jobs aren't easy to come by these days - and as standards are different everywhere your qualifications may not be of any use?.

Are you prepared to move to a different country and accept less pay than you get in the US?.

 

[Reloadron]

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! One at a time, everybody! Okay, maybe I'd better expand this.

5. Has anyone ever travelled/migrated from one country to another for engineering employment?

Yes, I did during my much younger days. I worked lived in Italy for several years as well as Japan. Also in Kuwait for a shorter period.

Though the money was very good at the time the travel did get old. Not always what it is cracked up to be. Over the years (this was late 70s to early 80s) I saw a strong influx of workers (engineering types) from the Philippines replacing most overseas American workers. Back then we were hitting between 50 to 100K annually (tax free) while they were coming over for 25K a year and less perks and benefits.

When you choose to take work like this you had better figure on learning a new language and customs. Remember they are the host country and you play the game their way. You learn and abide by their laws and customs or you get to visit their prisons and courts.

Overall I played the game about 10 years. For me it was a good and learning experience but the travel and that type of work overseas isn't for everyone. Some of us like me adjusted and others were crying for home within a week.

Times were much different then too. Today I can count the countries on a single hand I would like to return to.

As for finding the work? A Google of Overseas Employment Opportunities should bring up some hits. There are agencies that hire and seek people for overseas jobs.

Just My Take
Ron

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

When you choose to take work like this you had better figure on learning a new language and customs. Remember they are the host country and you play the game their way. You learn and abide by their laws and customs or you get to visit their prisons and courts.

A guy I used to know worked for years out in the Middle East, he had a huge house, servants - everything, and most of his pay was direct to a Swizz bank account.

One day he's driving down the street, when a local pedestrian stepped straight out in front of him - and while he stopped quickly, he did knock the guy over - completely the pedestrians fault though.

So what do you do? - you make sure he's not badly injured, and drive immediately to the airport and jump on the first plane to anywhere (you carry your passport and lot's of cash at all times for this reason).

Why do you do that? - because as a foreigner you were automatically guilty - even though you weren't at fault. You would probably be cleared eventually, but you would most likely spend years in jail before you were. So leave everything and flee - car, house, all your belongings - forget them all.

That's why most of your pay goes to the Swizz account

Another lady I knew worked out there all her life, and found it terrifying to come back here, in a land where they chop your hand off for stealing a loaf of bread rape or attacks on foreign women are unheard of.

 

[Reloadron]

Exactly Nigel and you can cry to the US Embassy or Consulate all you want as it falls on deaf ears. You are guilty till proven innocent and while you wait, you remain in jail. Their laws and their rules. Damn right, you always carry a passport and have your money deposited automatically where it is safe. I lived off my AMEX card. I watched stupid Americans get arrested for stupid things and end up in jail subject to the laws of the host country. You want a swift judicial system? Try Singapore where canning is still popular punishment, even today. They don't screw around. The 1 ounce pure gold Rolex was popular too if you needed out in a big hurry.

The ride was fun while it lasted and the money was great but those days are over for me. About 25 years at my current job, well established and paid. Just cursing to my pension and retirement. I would not really discourage the young from trying it but just make damn sure you know what you are getting your ass (and the rest of you) into. What it comes down to is how bad do you want the money and how long can you handle it?

Ron

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Exactly Nigel and you can cry to the US Embassy or Consulate all you want as it falls on deaf ears. You are guilty till proven innocent and while you wait, you remain in jail. Their laws and their rules. Damn right, you always carry a passport and have your money deposited automatically where it is safe.

The guy I knew couldn't even spend all the money he earned out there, you couldn't take that percentage of your pay out of the country. So he used to buy gold jewellery and bring it back as a present for his sister, who was a friend of my wife. Officially you weren't allowed to, but he never got caught, and all they would do is confiscate it anyway.

 

[EngIntoHW]

Hi,

I got back from overseas, after working there for 10 days.
Life overseas is very glorious and exciting.

You get to eat in great restaurants and you don't care much about how much you spend when you go out.

Even though I worked there very hard, over 12 hours a day, it was a fantastic experience which I'd be happy to go through again and for longer period.

 

[JimB]

I got back from overseas, after working there for 10 days.
Life overseas is very glorious and exciting.

What is your home location and where did you go to "overseas"?

You get to eat in great restaurants and you don't care much about how much you spend when you go out.

Has your boss approved your expenses claim yet?

Even though I worked there very hard, over 12 hours a day, it was a fantastic experience which I'd be happy to go through again and for longer period.

During my career I have visited quite a few countries, most I have enjoyed, some I have been glad to get out of for various reasons.
I have a simple test which I apply after I have visited a new country, I ask myself "would I like to come here for a holiday?" in many cases the answer is NO WAY!

Also, air travel can be a real pain in the posterior for various reasons.

JimB

 

[BrownOut]

Just cursing to my pension and retirement.
Ron

I'm cursing my lack of a pension and retirement Heh!

 

[Reloadron]

I'm cursing my lack of a pension and retirement Heh!

LMAO I screwed that up. Should have been cruising not cursing.

Actually after many years of trotting the globe I just finally settled down and got lucky with a good job and what turned out to be a great company. I also began to take life and investing a little more serious. Hell, I wish I had the money I literally pissed away during those younger years. Then too, it was fun!

Ron

 

[blueroomelectronics]

The most-hated young engineer in America.[/b]

Aiming for the world?

 

[DigiTan]

Aiming for the world?

I was going for "international man of mistreatment" but I'm out of room on my business cards.

Yeah, because of the whole anti-foreigner/ethnicity thing I'm mostly interested in Canada, the UK, and maybe the western EU or Australia. Talking to a few other people, it may be just as effective to target a new job that allows international travel to partners, trade shows, etc. Anyway, I'm sure there's some work-overseas job search engine I can check out until at least my passport arrives.

 

[Reloadron]

I was going for "international man of mistreatment" but I'm out of room on my business cards.

Yeah, because of the whole anti-foreigner/ethnicity thing I'm mostly interested in Canada, the UK, and maybe the western EU or Australia. Talking to a few other people, it may be just as effective to target a new job that allows international travel to partners, trade shows, etc. Anyway, I'm sure there's some work-overseas job search engine I can check out until at least my passport arrives.

Look a word to the wise. When I enjoyed doing this it was over 20 years ago. Things were considerably different and Americans were for the most part better accepted. Needless to say in many countries much has changed over the years.

The countries who bought us were paying for the engineering skills and our technology. The countries who like us for example GB, Canada and Down Under don't need engineering disciplines as they have plenty. The countries who need the technology services are not quite fond of us and for the better part seek engineering specialist from other countries.

Just think long and hard and make sure this is something you want to do.

Ron

 

[Psytrox]

Well, (if I remember correctly) Dallas is in Texas, which is a desert. So if you don't mind getting wet (major climate change), I would suggest you looking into a job in Norway. I know for a fact there is a lot of vacant jobs here. I don't think there will be any problems as far as the language goes, as everyone speaks English. Although if you're going to be staying for a long time, I'm sure it would be appreciated if you made some attempt in learning the language.

I had a quick look around, and I found two job "announcments" (not sure what to call it).

RF/ ANALOG IC DESIGN ENGINEER - Nordic Semiconductor
**broken link removed**

It is harder to find the actual anouncment in English (so that you can read it) then to find them in Norwegian.

And for what its worth, the starting salary is around 450 000 NOK, which is around 80 000 USD. Not sure what the wages are.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

But I suspect the cost of living is extremely high over there - a friend of mine worked there fitting carpets in a new hotel for a few months (years ago now) and he said that beer was more than six times as expensive as in the UK.

 

[Psytrox]

Price of living is more expensive yes, alcohol and tobacco is greatly taxed so that is A LOT more expencive compared to any other country that i've been in.
The cost of living is also more expensive... I have about 7000 NOK in expenses each month (I don't know how that compares to other countries) which includes payment for my mortgage, food, car, and money that I save for traveling. I am a student, so I don't really live as a king or anything. I guess one big difference atleast between Europe and America, is that we don't go to restaurants every time we need to eat.

 

[DigiTan]

How ethnically diverse is Norway?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

How ethnically diverse is Norway?

I would imagine not very?.

 

[atferrari]

An option

The oil industry is said to have high salaries in general and the places where you could work will vary a LOT. There are areas where you risk to finally appear in the news as an hostage instead of flying home to enjoy the money (you do not need necessarily to be of an specific origin for this to happen)

There are places (maybe - guessing here - most of them) where you actually live in a "camp" so your contact with local people is limited even nonexistent. Google for Malabo and all related with oil there. Include Nigeria and you will understand how (and varied) is the offer. Include Angola. Include then drilling platforms.

The highest salary I ever heard of was from a compatriot in charge of maintenance of the systems used to measure production and sensors in general. He seemed to be jumping almost continuously from place to place but the money was GOOD.

And yes, learning the local language is an asset. What is reasonable after all.