Hi Robert

I can see on your profile that you're a Fellow of the IET so I'm a little confused why you're asking about finding work experience? 

Lisa

Robert Bogner said:

I am trying to plan my career.

There's an old saying "no plan survives first contact with the enemy".  Nobody knows what they are going to be doing in 5, 10 or 20 years.

Thank you for clarifying that Robert

Hello Simon:

What you stated about trying to plan one's career beyond 5 years is correct due to the rapid pace of technology.

There are a couple of "DO NOT'S" that I learned over my career such as :-

Do not over specialize and limit yourself.

Do not place yourself in a remote physical work location that limits your ability to get another job.

Regarding the original question about the benefits of getting oversea experience early on.

It is like leaving your home when you become an adult- ones learns so much more by moving away from your parents.

Peter Brooks

Palm Bay 

If I can answer a slightly different question "As an engineering student I would like to know how valuable is it to get a variety of experience early" then I would say hugely important. The world of engineering is extremely wide and varied, and not only will it allow your grandson to find their niche, it will also help them appreciate the value of the different engineering worlds - and that there is no one "right" way of doing engineering. For example maybe the fast moving and creative world of SMEs and the slow moving but very structured and thorough world of large organisations - just different. Or the world of R&D and the world of implementation and delivery.

But on the actual question "As an engineering student I would like to know how valuable is it to get overseas experience early" I'd say don't worry about it. Yes it's great if you want to do it, but it suits some people more than others. And it's something you can do whenever feels right for you if you want to. Now, I guess if you try it early you can decide if the world of the expat engineer suits you, but it's fine to decide that it doesn't. What I would caution against (I mentioned this on another post recently) is that there is an engineering sub-culture of overseas engineering working, typically on large infrastructure projects, which can make those who engage in it a LOT of money, but which can also lead to a very stressful (and rather cliquey) life. Fine for those it suits, but it's only a sub-set of the engineering world, there are alternatives. So worth seeing, but just to remember that's only one story - don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

The big value I've found of overseas experience, provided you get away from those of your own background and engage with engineers in the country you're working in, is to appreciate that engineers are engineers the world over. It makes it clear that a good engineer can come from, and be found working, anywhere.

Interesting, and very good, question! Wishing him the very best.

Thanks,

Andy

Hello Andy:-

I have seen the negative effects of expat engineers living in a social bubble within a host country.

Gaining experience by working in another country should also mean learning/responding to the host countries culture.

Peter Brooks

Palm Bay   

seconded - the getting about a bit and seeing lots of things go right and go wrong, and developing that confidence that meansyou have the

' I can do it,  when does the plane/train/bicycle/donkey express  leave' attitude without over confidence is really important, but exactly what it is you do, and where you do it, probably less of an issue.

What you are trying to avoid is '5 years experience, the same first year repeated 5 times'..

If the variety is all within one area of the planet then actually travelling far to do it is less important, certainly my case in Europe. I can imagine that it may be more useful to go abroad  if one is based in a part of the world where there is less opportunity.
Mike.

IMHO, I suggest to start locally as it will be more comfortable from a social/cultural standpoint. Working abroad, in construction or engineering environment will be most of the time challenging as everybody expect you to be an expert of your field or they will see you as another kid looking for adventures. There will be not much time or not much support for learning.

On the other hand, an international environment, touching of new cultures definitely open ones mind much more than living in the neighborhood.

I would recommend 3-5 years to gain a minimum of experience in a known location followed by the big world adventure.

All the best

G

You nailed it Gabriel.

As a student junior engineer Robert you will find many development opportunities and will not be expected to meet aggressive targets while learning. After few years in your career path your CV will start standing out and your experience will be valued abroad. Your personal development shall continue while working locally or abroad. 

All the very best