i want to go to south america...
i want to go to south america...
(OP)
...and work for an american engineering firm. I am an EIT in civil engineering who would like to have the opportunity to learn spanish and a foreign culture. Is it possible for me to join a gas/oil company that have bases in south america with only a civil engineering degree?





RE: i want to go to south america...
RE: i want to go to south america...
Your degree is not so important as your knowledge and experience. What are they?
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Bring back the HP-15
www.hp15c.org
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RE: i want to go to south america...
Give it a shot. Many companies are looking for workers...especially in Colombia and Venezuela.
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This is normally the space where people post something insightful.
RE: i want to go to south america...
Maybe move there, and worke as a Civil Engineer (local)... who knows... It might just be worth it!
Wes C.
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When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions...
RE: i want to go to south america...
Is it possible? Yes.
Is it probable? Depends on the market of where you want to go (the demand for your talents).
RE: i want to go to south america...
RE: i want to go to south america...
Wes616 and epoisses - I would love to do local civil engineering work for a south american city. Problem is I would be making south american salaries which is why I would like to work for an american firm. I still have debt to pay off ya know! :)
To anyone - Any insight on HOW I should be going about finding a job in south america? The only thing I can think of is sending out electronic resumes to all the oil/gas companies.
RE: i want to go to south america...
If I wanted to do what you're planning, I'd:
1) Get all the trade publications I could
2) Start reading books to figure out just what those guys actually do
3) Try to network
4) Start taking some courses through a local university in chemical or petroleum engineering
You surely realize that most of the folks down there are probably local products (meaning they get paid, generally, local wages). The expats do very well, of course. With no experience and no related education, it's tough to see how you're going to get hooked up there.
You've got a better chance (still slim) of being hired domestically and then transferring.
Where are you presently located?
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Bring back the HP-15
www.hp15c.org
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RE: i want to go to south america...
At the moment the oil and gas market is flying high and there is a massive skills shortage (in particular the UK, not sure about the US), however, to cut a long story short, I applied to my current employer (An offshore oil and gas contractor) with my general civil engineering background and got the job with no O&G experience except filling my car up with petrol.
They are of the opinion that an Engineer is an Engineer, regardless of industry, and can be retrained to suit the requirements of the company.
We have bases in Brazil and Gulf of Mexico, so I would say it is one hundred percent possible.
RE: i want to go to south america...
Here are some suggestions for getting work in SA:
1) Contact some head hunting firms currently trying to fill positions in your area of interest (ie. SA).
2) Many consulting firms will have contracts in SA. The big ones include Bechtel, Fluor, Kellogg, etc. may be hiring.
3) Contact the producers in SA.
RE: i want to go to south america...
Greedy Americans
Wes C.
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When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions...
RE: i want to go to south america...
Cost of living is also much much lower.
You will have to produce 300% to prove to the local canibals that you are worth the premium pay.