Building Iraq

[a3a]

I noticed Bechtel got a HUGE contract for rebuilding Iraq. What are the chances of someone without much experience getting in on the action overseas (I'm in the United States). I didn't notice any job postings on their web page, but would consider many engineering and CM positions.

Actually, I'm wondering what the chances are for any international work without being a "senior." Has anyone traveled internationally early in their career? If you only speak one language (English), will that rule you out? Can you still get good experience from international work even when working with different codes, standards, and whatever else comes with working in a different country (i.e. be hired when you come back home). Just from hearing the Canadians in here talk, things are done differently up North. That makes me wonder if the effort needed to acomplish your work will be more than the excitement of traveling abroad since you may have to struggle just to get by in your work.

 

[sc]

Personally I'm not happy with the concept of specific companies being awarded contracts in Iraq based on the fact that they are American or British. I have heard of some well known Australian companies seeking some of the work, but being tild they are not suitable. The whole setup reeks of "jobs for the boys".

As for being a small fish trying to get some of the work, good luck.

regards
sc

 

[10Gallen]

My personal experience with overseas work was very tough, but the positives far outweighed the negatives.
I had 3 years in private consulting firm and 1 year as a site engineer on a large civil project before going to East Timor with 2 friends to try our hand at working for ourselves. After 4 months with no real projects, the contacts and perseverance began paying off, and we developed a strong base, which eventually lead into contracts with various UN agencies, World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
There were many engineers from around the world, the majority freelance and trying to get a gig with one of the agencies. The major firms tended to have their own staff, and it was very difficult to break in without a competetive advantage, e.g local knowledge or language skills. These are very hard to obtain on your own.
A suggestion would be to look at organisations such as RedR

http://www.redr.org

or Oxfam for a foot in the door in the region. The skills aquired provide an advantage in networking and can lead to opportunities elsewhere.
After 2 1/2 years in E. Timor I returned to Australia and continued as a sole trader engineering consultant. The skills aquired are not solely of a technical nature, but I feel have improved my ability to assess problems and determine solutions. The conditions you work under force you to really apply all the creativity that goes with solving engineering problems. And it's a real buzz!
cheers,
GAllen

 

[ornerynorsk]

Oh, there's going to be a bit of cronyism when it comes to awarding contracts for Iraqui work. Some of it will trickle down to subs. Start becoming a grain of sand in their shoe (get noticed!), write to the division vice presidents, etc.

 

[JTMcC]

Acording to Bechtel 90% will go to subcontractors. Subs have to be apply and be prequalified before they can bid. They are expecting 5000 applications to be whittled down to about 1000 qualified subs.

JTMcC.

 

[ICman]

Bechtel wasn't the only one with a BIG contract. Kellogg Brown & Root also landed one (before the war was "over&quot, as did others.

I think your best bet is to try for contract work. Check out CE Weekly and search for overseas work. There, you can find if you're qualified or not. They also post direct jobs, or you might work from contract to direct.

Overseas work isn't what it used to be. Many people in the big cities speak at least some English (except maybe taxi drivers in Bangkok ). It depends on how rural the area is, and of course, what country. I wouldn't count on much in Iraq. You'll probably be kept in a compound of other English-speaking people, so your knowledge of the local language may not be important.

Remember, you're the expert when you're 30 miles away from the office. You can't count on getting help from a more experienced person, so you will have to rely on your own devices. Being a junior probably helps, since your rate is lower ... you need to prove that you're capable of performing the work.

Also, if you have a family - forget it. It's really tough to maintain a relationship from afar. It's also tough to get a spouse to accept the living conditions "over there", unless he/she's the adventurous type. You have to be somewhat adventurous yourself. You will work long, hard hours, sometimes doing a lot of "grunt" work, just to get it done. The most popular words you hear in the Middle East are "Tomorrow, if Allah wills."

Double the period they tell you. For instance, if they say 3-months, you'd better count on at least a 6-month assignment. Make sure you can stand being away from the American lifestyle that long or longer.

Good luck!