i want to go to south america...

[Denob]

...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?

 

[PSE]

You can but try.

 

[Beggar]

Is it possible for me to join a gas/oil company that have bases in south america with only a civil engineering degree?

Your degree is not so important as your knowledge and experience. What are they?

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Bring back the HP-15

http://www.hp15c.org

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[controlnovice]

I will be doing this in about 10-15 years. What planning, eh? My wife is South American and we will be retiring there, but I'd still like to work a few years there first.

Give it a shot. Many companies are looking for workers...especially in Colombia and Venezuela.

______________________________________________________________________________
This is normally the space where people post something insightful.

 

[wes616]

I Personally would love to go to Brazil and work for Embraer. It seems like S.A. Is a great big place to Start Over.... reinvent ourselves... society, govt., life.... much like america of 100 years ago...

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...

 

[Ashereng]

Denob,

Is it possible? Yes.
Is it probable? Depends on the market of where you want to go (the demand for your talents).

 

[epoisses]

I did a similar thing. Sure it's possible. Think of what would make them hire you instead of a local. Keep in mind that you're handicapped being a foreigner. If a local delivers 100%, you have to deliver 300% to be hired. Take your time to think about how you're going to do that and where your chances may be highest, then go for it. Good luck!

 

[Denob]

Beggar - I have experience in designing construction drawings and contracts for water transmission lines, roadway, paving, drainage, traffic signalization, etc....basic civil engineering as you can see. Even for the water main design, I don't actually do the hydraulic analysis (someone else does that).

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.

 

[Beggar]

Realistically, it's hard to see how you're going to get into petroleum. Do you know anything about the industry?

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?

--------------------
Bring back the HP-15

http://www.hp15c.org

--------------------

 

[Ussuri]

I used to work for a multi-national, multi-disciplinary consultant as a common or garden Civil Engineer. I had been with the same company since I graduated and began to get wanderlust about a year ago.

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.

 

[Ashereng]

Denob,

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.

 

[wes616]

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.

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...

 

[svanels]

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

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.