Considering a move (UK - OZ) in 3 -4 ish years time
Discussion
Ok so 3 years before we can actually think about doing anything, but in the grand scheme of things, I think 3 years isn’t too bad a time to start weighing up options, see what opportunities are out there, carefully consider the up sides and down sides of a move.
My girlfriend and I have both decided that if possible, we'd rather not stay in the UK. The reasons for wanting to leave are not because of governments or taxes or the rising number of feckless or the state of the economy or anything like that... everywhere has those problems you're just "side-grading". However I will concede that our chosen professions seem to attract much better remuneration and seem to offer much greater opportunity than in the UK. But again, that’s not an overriding plus point. It’s the lifestyle we are after.
I personally haven’t been to Oz for any decent length of time (I went for a day once...seriously, from the UK. Horrific experience) but my girlfriend spent her gap year in Sydney working at a school and numerous swimming/surf lifesaving mates have done stints as lifeguards on the beaches or are out there permanently in Engineering jobs. All describe the way of life as just peachy. Of course a 3-4 week long trip out there is planned because I have to sample this for myself, not just buy into the hype.
We are 25 years old and come 2013 we will both hold doctorates. I in Engineering (1st class MEng + PhD) and her an MSc and PhD in Physical Geography (specialising in river and habitat restoration). So formally, highly qualified in two fields Australia seems to look favourably on. However, experience wise, we are not so well endowed.
I would say I have 2-3years actual industrial experience and while you technically couldn’t count the PhD as experience, the way it has been run (as it is sponsored by industry) it essentially construes working in a small project team on a leading edge technology as you would in any engineering R&D unit. My gf on the other hand does lack any decent length experience.
Based on that, is it actually wise to come over to OZ upon completion of PhD? Would we be better off with a few years of experience under our belts (bearing in mind the extra entry points you get on being sub 30 year old)? For instance, with a few years spent in industry I can also become fully chartered (CEng). Is CEng a worthwhile suffix to have out in OZ? It seems a bit hit and miss here in the UK. Certainly for Civil engineering bods it does prove useful (you can sign off work and designs) but in Mechanical Engineering it can seem almost pointless having it (i.e. no one asks if you are CEng, there is no higher pay scale for having it in a lot of places etc etc)... I know plenty of guys who forewent the IMechE hoop jumping and are off doing very well for themselves. Still as I can count PhD work towards it, I'd be stupid not to apply for it.
For our two areas of work, where are the best opportunities in Australia? Being mostly unknown to me, I'd be up for trying anywhere as long as there is a beach but my girl friend is completely smitten by Sydney
Sorry for the very long post! Also any UK Engineers who have emigrated. What are you doing? Where do you live? How is life compared to the UK? Has Australia really opened the taps on your careers? And do you ever miss the UK?
My girlfriend and I have both decided that if possible, we'd rather not stay in the UK. The reasons for wanting to leave are not because of governments or taxes or the rising number of feckless or the state of the economy or anything like that... everywhere has those problems you're just "side-grading". However I will concede that our chosen professions seem to attract much better remuneration and seem to offer much greater opportunity than in the UK. But again, that’s not an overriding plus point. It’s the lifestyle we are after.
I personally haven’t been to Oz for any decent length of time (I went for a day once...seriously, from the UK. Horrific experience) but my girlfriend spent her gap year in Sydney working at a school and numerous swimming/surf lifesaving mates have done stints as lifeguards on the beaches or are out there permanently in Engineering jobs. All describe the way of life as just peachy. Of course a 3-4 week long trip out there is planned because I have to sample this for myself, not just buy into the hype.
We are 25 years old and come 2013 we will both hold doctorates. I in Engineering (1st class MEng + PhD) and her an MSc and PhD in Physical Geography (specialising in river and habitat restoration). So formally, highly qualified in two fields Australia seems to look favourably on. However, experience wise, we are not so well endowed.
I would say I have 2-3years actual industrial experience and while you technically couldn’t count the PhD as experience, the way it has been run (as it is sponsored by industry) it essentially construes working in a small project team on a leading edge technology as you would in any engineering R&D unit. My gf on the other hand does lack any decent length experience.
Based on that, is it actually wise to come over to OZ upon completion of PhD? Would we be better off with a few years of experience under our belts (bearing in mind the extra entry points you get on being sub 30 year old)? For instance, with a few years spent in industry I can also become fully chartered (CEng). Is CEng a worthwhile suffix to have out in OZ? It seems a bit hit and miss here in the UK. Certainly for Civil engineering bods it does prove useful (you can sign off work and designs) but in Mechanical Engineering it can seem almost pointless having it (i.e. no one asks if you are CEng, there is no higher pay scale for having it in a lot of places etc etc)... I know plenty of guys who forewent the IMechE hoop jumping and are off doing very well for themselves. Still as I can count PhD work towards it, I'd be stupid not to apply for it.
For our two areas of work, where are the best opportunities in Australia? Being mostly unknown to me, I'd be up for trying anywhere as long as there is a beach but my girl friend is completely smitten by Sydney
Sorry for the very long post! Also any UK Engineers who have emigrated. What are you doing? Where do you live? How is life compared to the UK? Has Australia really opened the taps on your careers? And do you ever miss the UK?
To be honest, about the only advice I can give is that you have a look at some Oz job websites (e.g. seek.com.au) and see what is available in your chosen field in the city you want to live in.
Then look at the cost of houses/rentals etc in the area you want to live, and work out if you can afford it on the sort of salaries you see.
Technically I'm on more money here than I was in the UK, but the cost of living here seems to be going up all the time. As such I'm not sure I'm actually better off financially. Having said that, I lived in an identikit midterrace shoebox in Swindon, and I now live in a big detached house on a half acre block in a country town 50 mins outside Melbourne. So quality of life is much better.
Can't give any advice on the CEng side of things despite being BEng myself - never really used it as I work in Purchasing.
However, depending on your chosen field you should consider that manufacturing here is slowly dying. Current (and previous) governments focus on the resource sectors at the expense of manufacturing, so you may find mining offers the best salaries, which would make living in Sydney a pain, but not impossible. Also, I'm fairly sure jobs in things like defence etc require you to be a citizen, not just a permanent resident.
Then look at the cost of houses/rentals etc in the area you want to live, and work out if you can afford it on the sort of salaries you see.
Technically I'm on more money here than I was in the UK, but the cost of living here seems to be going up all the time. As such I'm not sure I'm actually better off financially. Having said that, I lived in an identikit midterrace shoebox in Swindon, and I now live in a big detached house on a half acre block in a country town 50 mins outside Melbourne. So quality of life is much better.
Can't give any advice on the CEng side of things despite being BEng myself - never really used it as I work in Purchasing.
However, depending on your chosen field you should consider that manufacturing here is slowly dying. Current (and previous) governments focus on the resource sectors at the expense of manufacturing, so you may find mining offers the best salaries, which would make living in Sydney a pain, but not impossible. Also, I'm fairly sure jobs in things like defence etc require you to be a citizen, not just a permanent resident.
Cool thanks for that
I've looked on sites before ( I think payscale is one) like MyCareer.au and had a look around at whats available where. I'll definitely have a gander at that site you posted.
Also I forgot to mention that Australia is currently top of the list of places to move to, but for me Canada and to a lesser extent the US are on my list. I do love the US, as a holiday destination, but whether I could put up with living there I don't know.
I've looked on sites before ( I think payscale is one) like MyCareer.au and had a look around at whats available where. I'll definitely have a gander at that site you posted.
Also I forgot to mention that Australia is currently top of the list of places to move to, but for me Canada and to a lesser extent the US are on my list. I do love the US, as a holiday destination, but whether I could put up with living there I don't know.
Forgot to say that realestate.com.au or domain.com.au are good for houses for sale (and rent I think).
When we moved over I worked where the possible employment was and then looked at house prices within a reasonable commute. We actually rented for 12 months fairly close to the city centre to begin with and then bought.
When we moved over I worked where the possible employment was and then looked at house prices within a reasonable commute. We actually rented for 12 months fairly close to the city centre to begin with and then bought.
Get yourself over to pomsinoz.com where you will find lots of good advice (and irritating posts from people who should know how to use the search tool 
)
I'm IEng and the steps for me were as follows:
1) Skills assessment by Engineers Australia
2) English language test (now applies to everyone, even British people)
3) Obtain state sponsorship (extra points on the application form and a faster processing time)
4) Apply for Visa
The Engineers Australia website is the first place you need to look.
Total time for the whole process was less than 12 months for a 176 class Visa for Western Australia.
)I'm IEng and the steps for me were as follows:
1) Skills assessment by Engineers Australia
2) English language test (now applies to everyone, even British people)
3) Obtain state sponsorship (extra points on the application form and a faster processing time)
4) Apply for Visa
The Engineers Australia website is the first place you need to look.
Total time for the whole process was less than 12 months for a 176 class Visa for Western Australia.
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