Thoughts or advice on overseas contract work?

ckissick · 06-13-2010, 02:05 PM

I'm a self-employed Geotechnical engineer in CA, and business has dropped to almost nothing. I don't see it improving anytime soon. One idea is to work overseas for a year or two then come back. I'd take the wife and kids with me. It could be a good experience for the kids, actually.

Anyone ever do this? Any advice on how to find a position?

TimT · 06-13-2010, 02:16 PM

I did a few contracts overseas... 25 years ago or so.. so I am sure much has changed...

I worked in the Negev, Saudi,Egypt.. primarily for American contractors..

Worked for Brown and Root, Morrisen Knudsen, Perrini, subbed to Aramco etc..

The tax benefits are great, and if you are bringing your wife and kid... you wont have the tremendous homesickness some have ( I was single when I worked over there)

At a loss right now, but there used to be a publication you could get listing overseas job ops... its probably online now.. I got my start through nepotism I suppose... My dad hooked me up on my first contract in 1978..

I came home in 1985 haven't worked out of country since..

Do it... there will be a strain from moving and learning the quirks of a new country, your kids will be much wiser as a result..

s_morrison57 · 06-13-2010, 03:12 PM

I've worked overseas for 17-18 years now cause the canadian taxes are stupidly high, there is good tax write off's too, work with a bunch of American Geoligists and they say its a good deal for them too. I leave my family at home, have a 27 day in and 17-18 day out so my rotation isn't all that bad, Cental and S. America is all I've done.
I would say not to take the family over till you have seen it yourself, might be ok for you but not there cup of tea. How old are the kids?
There is lots of work for Geoligists right now with gold so high but your training might not completly qualify you, I do Diamond Drilling and have done Geo-tech work as well, might want to try the mineral side of things, just be honest about your training when applying. Might want to check out some of the bigger companies in Canada, we didn't have near the slow down as the states has experienced.
If your taking the family check on the education for the kids, probably a private school would be best, thought about bringing the warden and my then 7 year old son to Chille and later Guyana, wife is from there and I spent about 10 years there, but the kid started playing hockey and I couldn't take him away from that. so that ended that plan.
Country, schooling, age of the kids and a whole bunch of factors play into the call on moving the family.
Good Luck
Scott

ckissick · 06-13-2010, 03:40 PM

The girls are 9 and 14. While I don't have mineral exploration experience, I have experience in mining and quaries as an engineering geologist. My masters was at Imperial College in London, which is very highly regarded, up there with MIT. Scott, what companies can I look into?

kaisen · 06-13-2010, 05:29 PM

Can't you do petroleum and get a gig in Houston?

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Houston was doing OK, but with the most recent Obama proclamation, we're kinda screwed. Between the moratorium on new drilling and the NASA cuts, were going to be hurting as bad as the rest of the country.

ckissick · 06-13-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

Can't you do petroleum and get a gig in Houston?

I'm better suited for mining. Mining requires knowledge in rock mechanics, rock slope stability, hydrology, and many other things related to engineering geology. Oil exploration and development are totally different things.

s_morrison57 · 06-14-2010, 03:55 AM

Charlie
Check out some of the bigger engineering company's Klone-Crippen comes to mind, Check out mining Jr.'s in Vancouver, Saskatoon Sask., mostly uranium and sask is booming now, best bet is Toronto , TSX and the Venture exchanges have about 30+% of the worlds mining companies. There is a book I believe its published by Northern Miner ( also know as the northern liar ) called the Canadian & American mines Hand book. Has all the mining companies in the world listed, where they are, what thery're doing , how much money they have etc, check the library cause this book it probably $100 bucks by now but loaded with companies to contact , you can also search by country. I'd say Canada is your best choice, no launguage barrier, same schools, laws, etc. PM me if you want some further details, I'm just leaving work now to go home so I'll be away from the computer for a few days so it may take a couple of days to get back to you
Scott

ckissick · 06-14-2010, 07:06 AM

Here's a place where a few jobs will be opening up.

U.S. Identifies Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan - NYTimes.com

billjam · billjam's Garage

Do a bit of a search on mining jobs in Australia.
We even speak the same language - almost!
Try SEEK - Australia's no. 1 jobs, employment, career and recruitment site
I ran a search there and came up with a few ... link
BTW, in job ads "FIFO" means "fly-in, fly-out". Many minesites fly workers in and out for something like two weeks on, one week off. That way, you and family get to live somewhere civilised (except for you while you are working).

Western Australia (aka centre of universe) and Queensland are the two largest mining states. WA has lots of iron ore, alumina, nickel, copper, gold, zinc, coal, oil and gas.
I am not as familiar with Qld but I know they do lots of coal and alumina.
I don't know your interests or experience, but the company I work for has just started a new division based in Brisbane specifically for developing coal-seam gas projects - Clough - Home

Unemployment here in WA is just over 4% - which is really low. So it's relatively easy to get work here - you just need to be breathing!

Good luck.

masraum · 06-14-2010, 08:30 AM

Good luck, I hope you find something. I think the experience would be a great one for your kids. My father was in the Navy, I've lived in Japan twice, a few different spots in the states, and spent a couple of summers in southern Spain. I think travel, especially living other places is a great thing.

I consider myself very lucky, and I'd love to travel more.

I've met folks in the last 10-15 years who've never been more than a couple of hours from here, never been in a plane, never left Texas. That sort of thing always blows my mind.

kaisen · 06-14-2010, 09:43 AM

I still think you can apply your expertise to Petroleum Engineering / Geology and make a killing. A close contact at Conoco Phillips said they are in short supply and great need. What, exactly, is your degree and background? I'll ask.

ckissick · 06-14-2010, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

I still think you can apply your expertise to Petroleum Engineering / Geology and make a killing. A close contact at Conoco Phillips said they are in short supply and great need. What, exactly, is your degree and background? I'll ask.

BS in Geology from UC Santa Barbara, and an MS in Engineering Geology from Imperial College in London, England (equivalent to MIT). My expertise in in soil and rock mechanics, foundations, seismicity, slopes, hydrogeology, and a few other things. No petroleum, but I would think they might be interested in the stability of the seafloor where a rig would be anchored. Thanks for enquiring with your friend.