can i get an engineer job?

[emrich999 5]

hi i would like to know if i can get an engineer job even im a graduate here in philippines! im a graduate of electrical engineering but my experience is quality engineer in a manufacturing field? is there any specific requirement that i need to apply for to get an engineer job! or NO. right now im in k1 visa!

[quimolum 12]

It depends what you mean by engineer:

* if it is (sorry I am European so it is my reference) the European way, meaning: Engineer with a degree (in France it is generally a master degree but in the US it can be bachelors degree) can do anything from research to management and design. yes you could if you apply to jobs; it depends on your experience and how you present yourself.

* if it is the strict US engineer word, meaning: PE, Professional Engineer, I think you need time for that. I am not sure if it is really worth it!

Here is what I found by googling:

To become licensed, engineers must complete a four-year college degree, work under a Professional Engineer for at least four years, pass two intensive competency exams and earn a license from their state's licensure board. Then, to retain their licenses, PEs must continually maintain and improve their skills throughout their careers.

* if you mean a more specialised engineering job (more technical) which needs a special certificate/degree/license, I am pretty sure you need to have a training in the US.

The requirements are anyway written in the job offers. So just read and you will know.

Good luck.

Edited October 25, 2014 by quimolum

[emrich999 5]

hi quimolum thank you so much for the information! this is really helpful.

i had started to browse jobs and there are listings that im confident im qualified but im just thinking if they do consider a foreign degree.

thanks again!

[quimolum 12]

It is more about your job experience than your degree, after some years of working.

It depends if you just got your degree or not, how long you have been working, if it was for an international company with international standards.

I think if you have less than 2 years experience, your degree is still pretty important to define you: my advice is that you look for some training in addition to a new job in the US.

If you have been working for 10 years already and you can show what you have done and describe what skills and knowledge you got from this experience, I do not think you have to go to school again and start from scratch.

Think from the recruiter point of view: He/she has to have some kind of known reference. Local university degree is a known reference for entry level jobs. Your work experience in a known company using the same standards as in the US will be the known reference when you are more experienced.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Engineering can be a tight job market. Many companies go overseas where people work for much less. Whatever you do NEVER tick that you are a USC to try to get into an interview. You can get into big trouble for false claim to USC. There are places that will evaluate your degree if it is from a smaller place that is not well known. Many foreign engineers I know end up taking a non engineering job out of frustration.

[emrich999 5]

hi quimolum, thanks for the information. now it really make sense to me now! im 26 and have 3 years experience.

thank you so much!

[emrich999 5]

hi nigeriaorbust!

thanks for the tip! i know there are lot of engineer who work in the states with non engineer job so thats why i ask if i could. coz im really curious! why not in an engineer job? my fiance choose to live in oklahoma i browse some jobs there and found some jobs that i fit to the requirements!

is it english proficiency? is it because they dont consider your education? coz here in philippines its different! mostly the scenario is no matter how experienced you are you cant get a position u desire for if youre not a college graduate!

but now its clear to me!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Large companies when they have the option will go to where the cost to produce something is the cheapest. This is rarely inside the USA. The only jobs this doesn't happen with are small companies ( who tend to be selective about hiring and you must network to get in ) or jobs that can't be exported where you usually must be a USC to work for. This makes the newly immigrated to look harder. Some will get lucky and others will give up and work way below where their education would put them

[emrich999 5]

oh okay thanks i got your point? does this apply to all states?

[Niceb 2]

I'm very curious about this topic. I've won the DV lottery 2015, and if all things go well my husband and I will be able to move to the US early next year. He is also an engineer who works in manufacturing. He is Brazilian with a Brazilian degree and an MBA. He has excellent English, also speaks some Spanish and has only ever worked for U.S multinationals. He has well over 10 years experience including a few years in Australia. However, we are both very concerned about not being American, having no U.S education or work experience. We really want to leave Brazil (I'm actually Irish) but we don't want to move there and both of us end up doing menial jobs(like it has been for me in Brazil) . How challenging is it for foreigners with lots of experience outside the U.S to get jobs and what states are best for work in the manufacturing industry?

[agnesb 47]

Speaking to recruitment firm specializing in the industry would be my idea on getting information. Aerotek has An office in Tulsa. http://www.aerotek.com/engineering/. Also other ones like Ranstad have engineering divison. They may not only give you all the info needed but help you with your resume and interview etc.

[Manzan76 6]

Hello, you are definitely eligible to apply for engineering jobs but will need employment authorization to accept a job offer. Prospective employers will look at your education and experience. If you are thinking about professional registration, then the engineering board for your state will look into your education/experience in greater detail. You will likely have to complete some additional college level courses in order to satisfy board requirements to sit for the engineer intern and professional engineer exams.

I came to the US on a work visa with an engineering degree (civil) from an accredited University in Canada, so the board accepted it. I've been a PE since 2006. I know electrical engineers that are PEs, and others that are not. Depends on the type of work they are doing. If you are signing/sealing design plans, then you will need it. Good luck!

[Ulink2 7]

hi i would like to know if i can get an engineer job even im a graduate here in philippines! im a graduate of electrical engineering but my experience is quality engineer in a manufacturing field? is there any specific requirement that i need to apply for to get an engineer job! or NO. right now im in k1 visa!

(0) Get your work-permit.

(1) Yes, you can but you need into each company - does it require ABET - an accreditation required for some companies

(2) Many companies only hire people who have green-card, some only hires people who have US citizenship.

For sure, you must try harder than others because you do not graduate from US.

I am an engineer myself, an immigrant, however, I graduated from US, got my master from US, and PE from US so the process was much easier.