relocation - from Europe

[jcoz]

Hello everyone, I am a new user (though I have been reading the forum for help). I am posting this message to try to get some advice:

I started working as a stress analysis engineer in the nuclear industry last year in France after graduating from a French university, but for personal reasons my wife and I are moving to the US this coming June (she is a citizen so there is no problem getting a visa).
I am aware of the differences between our educational systems (my degree is a 5-year master's degree that mixes mechanical and structural engineering), and in addition to my experience in France I also worked as an engineer in Canada for 6 months in the aerospace industry and English isn't much of a problem.

The system in the US is a bit different for engineers as it is in France. Beside providing references and maybe translating my university diploma and courses taken, what do you think can be done to improve my chances there ? my greatest "fear" is how unknown the job market is to me. Whether foreign credentials will be accepted or simply ignored is the heart of the problem.

So...any piece of advice will probably help or reassure me (I hope! )

Thanks

jeremy

 

[KENAT]

I'm a Brit now living & working in the US, from my experience it goes something like this.

Non government places generally seem to accept my degree.

For applying to govt jobs I had to get it evaluated by a member of NACES

http://www.naces.org/members.htm

In the US they have 'exempt' and 'non exempt' engineering.

Generally if you're offering your services to the public, especially in the 'construction' side of things (civil engineering etc.) then you are 'non exempt' and you'll probably need to get licensed eventually and become a Professional Engineer (PE).

If you work for a company that designs 'products' then you're exempt and don't have to get licensed, and in fact they don't even have PE for specializations like Aeronautics - at least in my state.

Now the exact rules vary by state, such as how they give credit for foreign degrees, what experience counts toward getting licensed etc. and I have grossly simplified things above but I hope it helps you to start getting the idea.

You sound a bit junior for PE just yet, but you may be able to take your 'Fundamentals of Engineering' which is the first step on the path to licensure if you think you'll need it.

As long as you still hold foreign citizenship it will be hard to get a security clearance to work in defense, nuclear and even non defense aerospace depending what part of it. (Almost impossible as far as I can tell, not even Von Braun would probably make it in this post 9/11 era.)

If nothing else it may prove to 'Americanize' your qualifications some.

As to your getting a Visa, it may still be time consuming. I came here because my wife was a US citizen, and I made the mistake of trying to play by the book. INS (or whatever they're called now) don't seem to expect this, and it confuses them - took me a long time to get a work permit after moving out here and then even longer to get my permanent resident card. I'd suggest consulting an immigration attorney.

By the way, your English is excellent based on your post, better than many native speakers posts. About the only give away is where you said "The system in the US is a bit different for engineers as it is in France". The 'as' should probably be 'than'.

Bon chance mon ami.

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[jcoz]

Thanks a lot for the detailed answer (and the small correction !).

As I mentioned, the visa is not a problem as I am in the process of getting my green card, so that should be fine. About jobs, I would like to work in the aerospace industry rather than...anything else. I didn't have a lot of choice when I graduated as I didn't come from a top rated school, and I was in a hurry to start (and to move out of my parents' home). Hence the nuclear experience, still interesting though.

When you say "As long as you still hold foreign citizenship it will be hard to get a security clearance to work in defense, nuclear and even non defense aerospace", do you mean dual citizenship as well ?

I read once that experience counts more than education in the US, but I think I will try the FE anyway (at least after reviewing all my school notes).

May I ask which state you are in ? I am going to NY, at least in the beginning.

Thank you again

Jeremy

 

[TheTick]

My experience with European- and Russian-educated engineers is that they are typically much better at math and geometry. They learned more, and they are better able to apply it.

Look for opportunities in firms that require a more analytical approach to problem-solving as opposed to the try-fail-repeat that is endemic to American engineering.

 

[jcoz]

I was not aware of that. I'll make sure to remember, thank you.

 

[KENAT]

jcoz, yes dual citizenship can be problematic to getting a clearance.

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[jcoz]

that is inconvenient. I'll have to wait 5 years to make a decision.

 

[KENAT]

I believe only 3 as your spouse is a US citizen, but double check.

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[jcoz]

3 years is correct, thanks. But I still don't think I'll renounce my citizenship just like that.

 

[brandonbw]

Experience seems way more important than education. If you can do the job you generally don't even need a license, unless there is some specific reason the job is asking for a license, P.E. One example would be a company just lost their only P.E., so now they need someone to stamp for the whole company. Other than that, one of my project managers, a very amazing designer, was someone who came from Hungary, washed dishes, and didn't go to college, before he started his engineering career.

Don't worry about your extremely minor grammar correction. Its a known thing that Engineers can't write or spell out here, which I think was a running joke at one of my last jobs.

B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil and Structural Engineering

http://bwengr.com

 

[jcoz]

There shouldn't be too mmany problem then, that's reassuring. I am still worrying a bit about the content of my diploma though, and the basic things I might not now about mechanical or structural engineering, but I think if I knew everything I would be a super genius.
I am now looking forward to getting a job somewhere in the US, it will be a great new experience for me after Canada and France.
Thank you !

 

[csd72]

jcoz,

We never know everything and we never stop learning.

Be flexible in what you apply for as any alocal experience is far better than none.

The structural market in NY area is very vibrant and you will find there will be a large number of opportunities.

Dont be afraid to cold call and send letters to local employers who have not advertised. This is how I got my first job lined up in the US several weeks before I even had the right to work there.

I would question your choice of timing though, as things are still a bit quiet in the engineering industry and it tends to be the recent immigrants that are the last to get reemployed in this type of situation. Not trying to discourage you but you need to be aware that your timing may have a big impact.

You will also need to get used to the archaic pre nepoleonic measurements that they use there.

 

[jcoz]

We would have stayed a bit longer, but recent events made us decide to move now rather than later, especially with a baby on the way. We figured dual citizenship would be better for the child, and having a few months to spend with my child would not be a bad thing after all.

I am not discouraged, maybe after a few months looking for a job, but not yet. I read positive things about the economy, and the few contacts I have could be very helpful. I am glad I received positive and helpful tips on this forum, what scares me the most is the unknown - as I felt the same way when I started looking for a job here, and ended up signing a contract before everyone in my class

Thanks

Jeremy

 

[controlnovice]

There are several big French companies (or French influence) in the States: Schlumberger, Air Liquide, etc...that hire many French speakers. Might help if you contact them before you leave France.

Worked for one and it was a great company to work for...

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[jcoz]

I was advised by a friend to go to the French consulate to find the addresses of the French companies in the US or area. Thanks form these names, it will help

 

[brandonbw]

I have learned some stuff talking to some of my clients recently. Don't be afraid to just walk in cold to a company and ask to speak with whoever is in charge, principal or project manager. Just do it, I was having a very interesting conversation with a client and he said if I said anything like what I was saying over the phone to get work from them they would hire me on the spot. Silly me I am an engineer and not an architect. But I also basically hooked my friend up for an interview to meet with the owner and PM for a new job if he wants it.

So try to be very positive about what you do. Also, realize your accent is a positive if your English is good. And I think people hiring you know that.

B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil and Structural Engineering

http://bwengr.com

 

[jcoz]

It is actually the most common piece of advice I've received, I'll make sure to remember that, but I think this would work mostly with smaller companies ? It isn't that easy to hire anyone in France (I should know, I have been working as a "consultant" in my company for 14 months now - they were supposed to hire me).

Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[KENAT]

Just walking in doesn't work with large some large or even medium companies. Heck you'd be lucky if the receptionist even takes your resume, more often than not they'll just tell you to apply on the company's internet site.

Now, if you can somehow trick them into giving you a contact point, that's another matter.

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