Expat Careers

[lennya12threh]

I have been looking around and do see many job opportunities for an expat in Thailand (that aren't teaching), but it seems in general there aren't that many, as companies will hire Thai people first right? In my case I'm wondering what the possiblities for work might be as an expat in Thailand relating to computer engineering, if at all possible. Of course I would be expecting a decent salary as well.-Lenny

[liveinlos]

Thai's with masters degrees are making less than 20,000 thb per month in this field or US $600 a month

You would need to have some incredible skill they don't have here to maybe get into a positioning managing a bunch of these guys if your education and skill is high enough

Realistically the chances are very low

Years ago things were different but now high paying expat jobs are like winning the lottery

For each person you find on a full expat package thousands of others are not

[kurnell]

This question always comes up. I know more than 100 expats in Bangkok that are working in a variety of non teaching positions

[bifftastic]

This question always comes up. I know more than 100 expats in Bangkok that are working in a variety of non teaching positions

What is your feeling about the job market currently? What kind of skills are being sought?

[thomo]

You want the expat package.

Go home. Find companies that have bases in Thailand.

Get trained in these fields.

Become employed with them in your home country.

After gaining a bit of clout, tell them you want a transfer to Thailand.

Try oil and gas management.

but it seems in general there aren't that many,

Nonsense.

Perhaps not that many hang around in the places you hang out. The can probably afford better.

Good luck with it.

[thomo]

This question always comes up. I know more than 100 expats in Bangkok that are working in a variety of non teaching positions

What is your feeling about the job market currently? What kind of skills are being sought?

Not the type of skills you magically acquire after 6 months of online study.

What skills do you have?

Hope you have a good few years of homebased experience to along with them.

Let us know what you're qualified and experienced in, and we might be able to help you.

Edited July 18, 2010 by thomo

[lennya12threh]

About the first post, I don't think the under 20,000k is accurate for Thai engineers. My wife's brother was taking an electrical engineer degree but quit, but he did end up working at a big factory with engineers, and hes making 15k just on factory line without a degree or anything. Thai engineers depending on the position should make 50-100k after some experience.

Basically I am in Thailand thinking of what degree to take. I would love to work in Thailand as I really like it here, but don't like teaching. I am aware that getting a degree in Canada would be better, but would like to stay here for now with my wife. There are a couple of various degree I am considering, computer engineering or maybe biotechnology. I would be more interested in engineering, and although I will need some xtra testing in Canada before aprroved, it would be sufficient for Canada, but I'm not sure what I could do with it here. On the other hand, with biotechnology, there are always places for teaching science in various international schools paying decent wages until I can find something else, and if nessesary could do decent in Canada as well with a masters added to it...

Right now I am just planning and researching a bit to figure out what direction to go.

I am also aware that most of the non-teaching jobs are quite specialized and require experience and also not really an option for me if I'm a fresh grad....

[aussiebebe]

I am also aware that most of the non-teaching jobs are quite specialized and require experience and also not really an option for me if I'm a fresh grad....

The fact that you wrote that should prompt you to re-read 'thomo's' post - it's really quite a brilliant post about becoming qualified and employed in your home-country first, because it applies equally to all careers, even teaching. I know you wrote 'not-teaching' but even teachers get the highest remuneration and most generous packages when hired from overseas. You may not want to join them, but at least learn. Teachers who then want to stay and thus become 'local-hires' for want of a better term, may, at least at some point in their careers, experience something akin to falling off a financial cliff.

Edited July 18, 2010 by aussiebebe

[bifftastic]

This question always comes up. I know more than 100 expats in Bangkok that are working in a variety of non teaching positions

What is your feeling about the job market currently? What kind of skills are being sought?

Not the type of skills you magically acquire after 6 months of online study.

What skills do you have?

Hope you have a good few years of homebased experience to along with them.

Let us know what you're qualified and experienced in, and we might be able to help you.

Well, ok, I wasn't thinking about magically gaining any skills in 6 months, online or otherwise. I was just asking Kurnell what his perception of the job market for expats was at the moment.

And, since you asked, I have various skills accumulated in various jobs, sound engineering (live and studio) 9 years freelance, road management/promotions (basically baby-sitting musicians and dj's making sure they got paid, got where they were supposed to be and didn't kill themselves until after their contractual obligations were fulfilled) Teaching music and associated technology in a prison education centre, which included leson planning/curriculum design and counselling/support for people with various social 'impairments' (3 years). Sales/distribution of independent imported specialised music. (3 years)

Back to recording/mastering in a distance learning university (again, 3 years)

Transport management, staff supervision and the associated reporting responsibilities, route planning, client/account management etc. (4 years)

Currently working on a railway network in central London driving trains and dealing with the public.

skills, then, would include, technical knowledge of audio systems, computer literacy excell, word, etc. various audio packages. the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines. Very strong awareness of customer relations, a knowledge of, and the ability to work well within, structured and non-structured work environments. The ability to motivate myself and others to achieve excellence. Attention to detail and a flexible attitude to working hours.

All of the above, combined with the 'stuff' life has thrown at me, gives me the experience and knowledge to be of benefit to any company or organisation that employs me, however, it isn't a clear career path in one kind of industry and is therefore, I believe, difficult to place. A friend of mine in the recruitment business said he wouldn't know where to start!

So, this started out as a general enquiry, due to a genuine interest and seems now to have turned into a job interview!

When do I start?

This has swerved slightly from being a general enquiry to something of a job interview!

[lennya12threh]

What is has swerved into is a highjacking of my thread.

Edited July 19, 2010 by lennya12threh

[Soutpeel]

Try oil and gas management.

And the minute you even suggest Thailand, you will be sent to Angola or Nigeria or some other loverly tourist spot...

[Phuket1]

Easy, get yourself a commercial diver ticket ( 8 weeks training ) or ROV. Settle yourself in Thailand and try to work offshore. Good job and good money!

[Soutpeel]

Easy, get yourself a commercial diver ticket ( 8 weeks training ) or ROV. Settle yourself in Thailand and try to work offshore. Good job and good money!

......and blag yourself one trip offshore and get yourself run off.

Yeah go ahead spend all the money but you still need the contacts and build yourself a reputation before you get a look in......not easy

[kurnell]

This question always comes up. I know more than 100 expats in Bangkok that are working in a variety of non teaching positions

What is your feeling about the job market currently? What kind of skills are being sought?

There are always jobs for expats. The above mentioned people are almost all locally hired, with a variety of skills such as sales, marketing, general management. It's a matter of mixing in the expat community, networking etc.

[Soutpeel]

There are always jobs for expats. The above mentioned people are almost all locally hired, with a variety of skills such as sales, marketing, general management. It's a matter of mixing in the expat community, networking etc.

Yeap....and most jobs are not even advertised.....somebody knows sombody

[Furbie]

There are always jobs for expats. The above mentioned people are almost all locally hired, with a variety of skills such as sales, marketing, general management. It's a matter of mixing in the expat community, networking etc.

Yeap....and most jobs are not even advertised.....somebody knows sombody

Jobs exist for foreigners in Thailand – even as local hire jobs. The key is to have a skill worth the money. You mentioned biotech, Thailand has a severe shortage of scientists, so even a local science BS degree will help you here. There are also loads of opportunities in public health at many of the NGOs and international organizations in town that are based here, which is also an MS degree you can pursue locally.

Many people who say they cannot find a good job in Thailand are 1) not trying hard enough (not networking), 2) not educated well enough, 3) do not present themselves well, 4) have unrealistic salary or other expectations, or 5) have a skill set not in demand anywhere.

I started my career here as a local hire with a decent salary and worked my way up to a full expat package. It can be done. Most people I know working here are on a fairly decent local package. And don't turn up your nose at teaching. Real foreign teachers in Thailand (those who actually teach at something besides a language school) make decent money. Good luck.

Edited July 20, 2010 by Furbie

[Soutpeel]

Many people who say they cannot find a good job in Thailand are 1) not trying hard enough (not networking), 2) not educated well enough, 3) do not present themselves well, 4) have unrealistic salary or other expectations, or 5) have a skill set not in demand anywhere.

You can apply that criteria to any country in the world......

My experience of hiring local expats in Thailand:

1. Expect too much money/terms/conditions

2. Demand/expected to be hired just because they are an expat

3. A vast majority of them wouldnt be hired for the same job in their own country

4. A serious attitude problem

Of course there are expections as per Furbie, I was orignally a local expat hire.

[Furbie]

Many people who say they cannot find a good job in Thailand are 1) not trying hard enough (not networking), 2) not educated well enough, 3) do not present themselves well, 4) have unrealistic salary or other expectations, or 5) have a skill set not in demand anywhere.

You can apply that criteria to any country in the world......

But does that make it any less true?

[lennya12threh]

What is an unreasonable wage? If I was an engineer graduate I wouldn't work for less than 70k/mon in Thailand. In Canada the lowest possible wage is like 120,000baht/mon upon graduation for engineers. I am aware the cost of living is lower as well though so I don't mind if it is a bit lower, but would just work in Canada for sure if it wasn't high enough to start buying a car, bike, etc...

I am also aware of many UK qualified teachers getting 100,000baht/mon up.