@EricTC said:
Hi Civil Engineers/ Structural Engineers working in Australia. I'm still here in the Philippines pero I just want to ask if better po bang magkaruon na ako ng knowledge with Australian codes and have worked in an Australian company with projects located in Australia before going there in Australia? Mahirap po bang maghanap ng Structural Engineering works pag wala pang Aus local experience? At ano po ang pinakamalagang skill na iimprove beforeand: drafting, management, or any software for design?
While waiting for invitation, might as well I'll prepare myself with the needed skillset for better employability.
Thank you!
Hi,
I am a Structural engineer here in Australia.
From your line of asking, I can sense na nasa design/engineering/consultancy side ka. If that is the case, the most important codes are AS4100, AS3600, AS1170. There is one particular book that helped me: Australian Guidebook for structural engineers. If you have the time, you can start doing some self-study. Makakatulong yun.
As for software study, medyo mahirap mag-suggest kasi each company has their own preferred software. Pero most of my consultants are using SpaceGass. We use Autodesk Robot Str. Analysis in our company.
Tama po ang mga comments ni athelene. MEdyo mahirap maghanap ng engineering-related work sa simula kasi employers put so much emphasis on local experience. For more senior roles, they will even look for state registrations/licenses. Soft skills appear to have more weight than technical skills (at least during the hiring process).
Maybe my personal experience here can paint the picture. Share ko na rin.
When applying, I was told na it would be best to submit CVs that are specifically-tailored for the job description. So that means, meron akong multiple versions ng CV ko, each one highlighting what aspects of my experiences are most applicable to the particular job I am applying. I also have written a lot of cover letters.
I applied for around 80 jobs before getting two interviews. In both of my interviews, there are no technical questions. Mostly on the management aspects ang mga tanong. To be clear, none of these two companies are consultancy firms. I can imagine na kung sa consultancy ka mag-apply, for sure madaming technical questions.
I became successful on my second interview. I later on discovered that there were around 20 more engineers who applied, 5 of which were also shortlisted and interviewed. Despite lacking "local experience" they took their chance on me, because I have handled the interview better compared to others. This was the insider's feedback I obtained when I got the job. By the way, this job is in Tasmania where there is lesser competition.
May kakilala ako, engineer din siya. Pero he started as a draftsman. You may want to consider that "pathway" of gaining local experience. Pero all in all, you can take any job muna kung unsuccessful ka sa mga unang tries mo. Doesn't matter kung ano pa yan, kahit pa nga volunteering work pa e. Mahalaga may mailalagay ka sa CV and ma-highlight mo ang core skills mo.
One piece of advise: start mo na makipag-network within Australia. Kung may kakilala/kaibigan/kamag-anak ka, take good advantage of that. Mahalaga ang connections, as athelene stated. Ganun ang kalakaran na nakikita ko sa kumpanya ko and sa ilang companies na nababalitaan ko.
I hope I was able to answer your questions. Do not be discouraged. Ito yung mga bagay na siguradong pagdadaanan ng bawat new migrant. Pero one day, you will find that It was all worth it.
For anything, shoot me a message. Try ko mag-bigay ng payo kung kaya ko.