Civil Engineering Job Info for Americans

dust-man3 · Post by **dust-man3** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 6:12 pm

Hello All,

I am trying to find any pertinent information on what I'm facing in regards to relocating to Finland as a Civil Engineer. I am currently a 35 year old Civil engineering student attending NC State Universty. My area of focus within the Civil program is Structural. My wife is a native Finn and we are hoping to relocate our family there after my graduation. From what I've been able to gather, based on Google searches of the subject, it is hard for foreigners to find work in this occupation. This being said, we really want to make this happen and I will not be easily discouraged. Obviously after I graduate I will have no experience in the engineering field, however I have extensive experience in the construction industry in general both residential and commercial. Does anyone have any valid info on what I'm up against? I do not currently speak Finish but I am going to get started learning soon. It would be great if anyone could provide any useful links or areas to look to further my knowledge on the subject of foreigners gaining employment in this industry. I would be truly greatful to gain insight from individuals currently involved in this employment sector.Thanks in advance to all who participate in this endeavor of ours!

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Kayttaja1 · Post by **Kayttaja1** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:21 pm

Most likely you will need to study local standards. That would mean studying in UAS or University for at least bachelors degree here in Finland.

dust-man3 · Post by **dust-man3** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 12:30 am

Thanks for your response Kattaja1. I am unfamiliar with UAS could you please elaborate on this? I am also unclear as to why I would need to study for a Finnish bachelors degree just to learn local standards. Wouldn't this be information that could be found in code books specific to the area? This is the case here in America at least, seeing as standards and codes change from place to place even here.

rinso · Post by **rinso** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 7:17 am

it is hard for foreigners to find work in this occupation.

It's hard for foreigners in almost any occupation.
You have a number of handicaps:
- no experience at your degree level
- foreigner
- you don't speak Finnish
Your hands on experience in construction is a point in your favour but it's not enough to make you more attractive for an employer than a young Finnish graduate. That graduate will gain experience quicker than you can learn Finnish)

I do not currently speak Finish but I am going to get started learning soon.

Don't count on it being good enough for a professional level any time soon.

Make a plan B. If your relocation depends on you getting a job, there is a big chance you'll fail.

biscayne · Post by **biscayne** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 8:52 am

Just be aware of a few points:

By age 35 most Finns would have their masters in engineering done, here it is a seamless flow to masters due to the more or less free education system. Also, as I recall, graduates of the technical universities have automatic masters, I don't think there even is a bachelors anymore, that used to be in the opisto system which I think has gone.

You would be kind of old getting your first job in engineering here, up against 25 year olds.

Do not bank on learning Finnish to profesional level. Really. Don't believe me? Talk to all the native English speakers who never manage. Ever. Are you good at languages? Do you speak any other than English?

Have enough money to last for realistically 2 years, as it might well be that long......

Does your wife have a wanted profession?

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 9:12 am

biscayne wrote:J Also, as I recall, graduates of the technical universities have automatic masters, I don't think there even is a bachelors anymore, that used to be in the opisto system which I think has gone.

There is (thanks to Bologna process) but few stop there (unless the situation has changed in the past few years).

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 10:40 am

dust-man3 wrote:I am unfamiliar with UAS could you please elaborate on this? I am also unclear as to why I would need to study for a Finnish bachelors degree just to learn local standards. Wouldn't this be information that could be found in code books specific to the area?

UAS = University of Applied Sciences. You say you can learn local standards. How you prove that?

onkko · Post by **onkko** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 11:10 pm

Upphew wrote:
dust-man3 wrote:I am unfamiliar with UAS could you please elaborate on this? I am also unclear as to why I would need to study for a Finnish bachelors degree just to learn local standards. Wouldn't this be information that could be found in code books specific to the area?
UAS = University of Applied Sciences. You say you can learn local standards. How you prove that?

http://edition.cnn.com/TECH/space/9909/ ... metric.02/

(CNN) -- NASA lost a $125 million Mars orbiter because a Lockheed Martin engineering team used English units of measurement while the agency's team used the more conventional metric system for a key spacecraft operation, according to a review finding released Thursday.

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