Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
(OP)
As the heading suggests, I am seriously considering relocating from Canada to Houston, for personal and professional reasons.
My background is 29 years in upstream oil and gas EPC, doing everything from Project Management / Project Engineering to Mechanical Engineering to Piping Stress Analysis (CAESAR II) to even a bit of (*GASP!*) Process...
I have no experience (nor credentials) as an MBA...I assume that that particular fact would be of great benefit...not that I am in any way bitter...
I would imagine that I should start by taking the FE and PE exams; they became mandatory several years ago, from what I understand. (Sucks to be me I suppose.).
I do have a few contacts with engineers based in Houston whom I have worked with from time to time when they have had business interests up here; one company in particular calls me when they have work to do in my region that requires my skill set. I do plan to pay them a visit the next time I am down there for a vacation with family.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for the best avenues that would be available to me to scope out the employment prospects, the companies who are ramping up, etc. in that area? (On-line paper ads, names of companies who might be looking, emerging markets, networking avenues, etc.) I welcome any suggestions.
My background is 29 years in upstream oil and gas EPC, doing everything from Project Management / Project Engineering to Mechanical Engineering to Piping Stress Analysis (CAESAR II) to even a bit of (*GASP!*) Process...
I have no experience (nor credentials) as an MBA...I assume that that particular fact would be of great benefit...not that I am in any way bitter...
I would imagine that I should start by taking the FE and PE exams; they became mandatory several years ago, from what I understand. (Sucks to be me I suppose.).
I do have a few contacts with engineers based in Houston whom I have worked with from time to time when they have had business interests up here; one company in particular calls me when they have work to do in my region that requires my skill set. I do plan to pay them a visit the next time I am down there for a vacation with family.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for the best avenues that would be available to me to scope out the employment prospects, the companies who are ramping up, etc. in that area? (On-line paper ads, names of companies who might be looking, emerging markets, networking avenues, etc.) I welcome any suggestions.
Regards,
SNORGY.





RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
been awhile (< 10yrs) since i worked there . . . I wish you good luck & happy living!
suggest calling your contacts and request direction, people to contact, etc . . . after all, people do want to help one another.
several companies, EPC firms, etc. to choose from. i recommend selecting a company that has been consistently getting business, which keeps the core employees occupied (hire temps for larger projects). which brings to mind that you may want to consider contract engineer work. for some people, this situation works well as it may lead to permanent work/position. allows you to seed your roots and then work/grow with a firm you enjoy being at.
wish you good luck and happy trails!!
-pmover
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
Good luck,
Latexman
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
Yes I am employed now, I have been at this last place for about 13 years. I am considering making the move into contracting, and have the required infrastructure in place for that.
Where I work has no interest in carrying on any business in Houston, though. I could always suggest setting up a US-based office for them down there...one never knows...
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
Are you married to the city of Houston? Right now, my company can't find enough experienced engineers here in New Orleans. With your experience and lack of credentials, you might be given consideration when you might have been overlooked previously.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
I found that out in the months immediately following 9/11. All books, articles, information with respect to applying for U.S. Visa's disappeared from store shelves instantaneously, for example.
The job would have to come before the move, that's a given.
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
Let me know when you are ready and I can pass on more info if required.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
I will be looking into that carefully, but my understanding of things is that the exams are now mandatory, irrespective of how things were five years ago. I have looked at the sample exams and am able to solve my fair share of the problems, but the challenge for me would be able to do them in four minutes each while in an examination setting. I have been out of school for almost 30 years; I am not a young guy any more. That said, I'd probably take the exam(s) anyway for personal reasons, just to prove that I had nothing to prove, so to speak. The study time would certainly disrupt my work-life balance for a while.
There would certainly be some work visa challenges as well, so again, thanks to the tip from DST148.
I think I'll start by making a personal trip down there and just networking with the folks I know. The thermometer dipped below -30 C here last night and the back door froze shut, so I have some extra incentive to go south for a few days.
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
At this moment, the water is rather hard.
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
I love ice and snow!! Houston has it all - Not to mention bad smell, "black" moldy buildings, skyscrapers in the middle of shacks and free fire zones..
Go for it.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
And you better not stagger, and you better not fight."
traditional; commonly attributed to Huddie William "Leadbelly" Ledbetter, a former citizen of Morningsport, Louisiana; whose version was recorded by Alan Lomax in Angloa Prison, 1934.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
Seeing a black sky at 7:30 in the morning is not a pretty sight....and it wasn't black because the sun wasn't up.
______________________________________________________________________________
This is normally the space where people post something insightful.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
I will grant that Houston does not have much of a personality. If you woke up in some part of Houston, you wouldn't have any frame of reference, pretty much the same all over. Cost of living is low though.
I'd still take a Houston August day over a Buffalo February. I guess to each his own.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
Yes, I will be looking for different doorknobs at the hardware store.
And the warmth in Houston...would be a problem...why?
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
Parts of Houston are lovely, but others are hellish; like most other large cities, traffic is horrible if you are going the wrong direction. I'd take the traffic over the cold any day.
"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - Robert Hunter
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
There are plenty of Engineering and FEA related groups. Several have job posts, and recruiters are beating the bushes for O&G engineers. I saw an opening for a riser engineer at $100-180k + starting bonus + relo package.
I lived there for 8 years during the 80s boom (before the 80s bust). Like all places, it has its + & -.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
I just hate leaving an electronic footprint that others can follow without being invited to do so.
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
ASME
CAD FEM CFD Engineering
+ other CAE groups
I'm sure there are O&G related groups too
You don't have to post anything. Even if you do, only LinkedIn members in your network ("connections") will see your activity.
Besides, you already have a bit of an a footprint here in eng-tips.com :) Maybe anonymous, but never the less its there.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
I just hear about potential employers "checking people out" before making offers, etc. on, say, "Facebook". There has been recent talk here where I work about that kind of scoping being done by management and HR, and "LinkedIn" is often mentioned in that same context with "Facebook", for which I no longer have an account; the one that I had years ago took me months of pleading and negotiation with Facebook to have them delete. A "friend" had posted a picture of someone being mooned and one of my young relatives saw it before I could delete it. Facebook's initial position was "Hey, you signed up, it's your problem, you deal with it." I don't want to go down a road like that again.
It's bad enough that when my name is Googled people land at outdated websites that are completely unrelated to engineering. Or maybe that's good...anyway, it is what it is.
I shouldn't knock what I haven't tried. As long as there's a way I can "erase myself" from it if I don't like it.
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
You're correct - some employers do "check folks out" during the hiring process. However, the only things Facebook and LinkedIn have in common are their use as networking sites. LinkedIn is for professionals. You're not going to read "just ate a chocolate donut -- YUMMY!!" on LinkedIn. You have a high degree of control on your profile, and don't have to worry about knuckleheads posting dumb stuff about you. Also, the LinkedIn TOS prohibits inappropriate content.
I fact, a professional presence on LinkedIn can be helpful. Most recruiters will tell you that a good LinkedIn profile is a great way to advertise yourself. (Note: I am NOT a recruiter.)
For example, the technical groups serve a somewhat similar purpose as Eng-Tips. Folks post questions, and usually get answers. Posts in these groups are an indicator of your skills (or lack there of). (Do you post dumb questions or useful answers?)
So, fear not. You can can "manage your brand" on LinkedIn. Good luck getting to Houston. There's some great bar-b-que (& warm weather) to be had!
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX
I was actually approached for this current position through my LinkedIn account.
"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - Robert Hunter
RE: Suggested best resources / avenues to search for jobs in Houston, TX