Working in the USA P.L.C Programmer???

taward31

Member
Join Date
Nov 2012
Location
Dublin
Posts
51
Hi,

This question is mostly for Americans/Canadians, I am a qualified electrician and close to finishing a degree in Automation Engineering. The degree is built up of a wide range of Automation topics from electrical control to mechanical design. Anyway I am thinking of getting graduates visa to USA or Canada for a year or two when I qualify in June 2013. I have a few questions that I would appreciate if you's could answer,

What are my chances of picking up a job when I get there as a recent graduate?

What states or areas would be best to seek work in?

What can one earn being a P.L.C programmer and Automation Engineer?

Are there recruitment specialists I can contact?

Any Info would be greatly appreciated

Tom
 
This info may be dated, but in the US I believe a company has to first sponsor a potential hire. At least that's what I recall 15 years ago.

That aside, you may try contacting head hunters on LinkIn; they all claim they have their hands on the pulse of the job market when they contact me.

Good luck!
 
Given the job market, unemployment, extra legal loops and cost an employer has to go through in hiring a foreign visa person, I would strongly advise against it. I also work with several recruiters who specialize in our industry to help those in need find a job here. I tried helping a foreign student with masters in industrial engineering and experience first had the barriers. as the employers pick the low hanging fruit, so follow the recruiters, as they have to consider their commission. If you are top of your class, I would check out Germany. They really have their educational priorities in order, and may have less of a barrier. But that is just a guess of mine, because they are ahead of the our country in this industry and closer to you.
 
Hi,

This question is mostly for Americans/Canadians, I am a qualified electrician and close to finishing a degree in Automation Engineering. The degree is built up of a wide range of Automation topics from electrical control to mechanical design. Anyway I am thinking of getting graduates visa to USA or Canada for a year or two when I qualify in June 2013. I have a few questions that I would appreciate if you's could answer,

What are my chances of picking up a job when I get there as a recent graduate?

What states or areas would be best to seek work in?

What can one earn being a P.L.C programmer and Automation Engineer?

Are there recruitment specialists I can contact?

Any Info would be greatly appreciated

Tom

If you can handle harsh cold winters, try the oil sands in northern Alberta Canada
 
Thanks all, I can actually get a one year full working visa after I graduate for the USA or Canada and I am not looking to re-locate there permanently. I would be happy with the year and I would like to know what my chances of picking work up over there would be if I went for a year

I hear what your saying about Germany but I would prefer to live in an English speaking country.

I am also considering Australia but have been there for a year already and would like to experience a different place.
 
I am not looking to re-locate there permanently. I would be happy with the year

It would be extremely rare if a company hires you knowing you only want a year. Many german companies run their companies in both english and german, besides german is not hard to learn, is a very easy language to pick up for an english speaker.

Getting into automation without experience is another big barries IMO. Good luck.
 
I hear what your saying about Germany but I would prefer to live in an English speaking country.
Do y'all think we speak English here. We speak American dadgumit.

On a more serious note, just as we speak American English, a lot of practices, regulations, and standards are different in the good ol' US of A. How does working in the US for a year help your long term career prospects?

To be honest, I usually see jobs advertised wanting twenty years experience (in equipment that has only existed a decade) and willing to pay entry-level wages. It is the economy right now.
 
Thanks all, I can actually get a one year full working visa after I graduate for the USA or Canada and I am not looking to re-locate there permanently. I would be happy with the year and I would like to know what my chances of picking work up over there would be if I went for a year

I hear what your saying about Germany but I would prefer to live in an English speaking country.

I am also considering Australia but have been there for a year already and would like to experience a different place.

I am a bit confused. Which country are you doing your engineering degree in ?
If it is in America, you get 24-29 months, not a year. In that case, it is quite easy to get hired, assuming you know your stuff.
 
'Murica ! :D

You must be from around these parts.... :)


taward31,

Its a little general but see here http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm

I think the top 4 have a lot going on in the oil industry, they says its hard to get a job around here but I think a lot of people are just looking for a reason not to work, BEST OF LUCK!!

PS I would look to Canada summer is just around the corner, then head south :)
 
I am doing my Degree in Dublin, Ireland. I could stay here to work but I want to do some travelling in my life and its Kind of now or never.

I always wanted to live in the good ol' USA for a year or so. I have a year window from when I graduate to travel over there with a years full working visa. If I don't go now I'll probably never get the chance again.

But I do not want to waste money relocating etc if there is no chance of employment. Thus the little bit of research I am doing đź“š . I don't even necessarily need to be working in the Hi-tech sectors.

I don't know about over in the USA but there is always a shortage of good P.L.C programmers/Automation engineers across Europe and Australia.

Anyway Thanks all for the Info
 
I would look locally for an employer, one that is large enough where you could have an opportunity to transfer elsewhere if the opportunity arises. I know of a few people who worked within a large global company whom have come to the United States as an internal transfer. They worked locally for a few years then as opportunities in foreign offices came up internally they applied and were moved. Some were just doing a 3 year work visa I think, then others have become permanent residents.

Just a thought.
 

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