Engineering in Australia

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eltoro
eltoro
11 posts
11 posts
3 Mar 2011 4:34am
Whats up guys, I'm an mechanical engineering student trying to figure out what the hell to do with my life when I graduate next year. Australia has always appealed to me I like sailing/water/the relaxed feeling Australia gives off. i could be going off nothing but misconceptions but id like to test the idea of living there someday. Any engineers out there that are still happy in life (most that I work with seem bummed out all the time) that can give me some insight into some jobs? I'm working at a Nuke plant right now as a student and it doesn't really appeal to me. I want to do something close to nature but am starting to realize I probably picked the wrong profession if I want that to happen. I'm basically looking for a place to live and/or job that can keeps me interested and excited and would be pretty bummed if the last 4 years of engineering school was a waste. Just curious to see what you guys have to say.
myusernam
myusernam
QLD
6158 posts
QLD, 6158 posts
3 Mar 2011 8:55am
do you want fries with that?
Wineman
Wineman
NSW
1412 posts
NSW, 1412 posts
3 Mar 2011 10:50am

Mining & infrastructure - partic in Qld & WA, NSW.
Mostly remote work tho, pay is good.
research it - show your initiative
tatkins
tatkins
QLD
344 posts
QLD, 344 posts
3 Mar 2011 11:13am
Engineering Degrees do not limit you to purely Engineering careers. I work in Construction Management and generally all our post grads are Engineers.

Brisbane has a lot of building work going on at the moment (can talk for the rest of Aus as i haven't been there in ages). Most principal contractors employ engineers to manage the works, in all fields of construction (tunnels, roads, bridges, mines, buildings etc.)

I have heard there is pleanty of building work in Perth also. If your into the ocean and wind sports than thats the place to be.

I think the 'fries with that' comment is for an arts degree
wespyyl
wespyyl
WA
118 posts
WA, 118 posts
3 Mar 2011 9:24am
Plenty of work for an engineer here in Perth at the moment.

Heaps of work for junior engineers with 2 to 5 years experience.

Every sector available here pretty much except nuclear power, so your **** out of luck there.

I'm just about to graduate half way through this year and just got myself a job in solid-liquid separation.
NasiGoreng
NasiGoreng
VIC
260 posts
VIC, 260 posts
3 Mar 2011 12:47pm
theres radical change being put through parliment in the next couple of months regarding skilled migration and sponsorship visas.
(ex gfriend is a migration lawyer)

it may also help to take a holiday to aus, as the international image of australia is slightly different from what you might find here.

(search you tube for a clip called interview with Trent from Punchbowl) he may end up being your boss.)
myusernam
myusernam
QLD
6158 posts
QLD, 6158 posts
3 Mar 2011 12:03pm
I just googled trent from punchy as it is one of my favourite all time clips on utube. Was weondering if there was a where are they now thing..Maybee he had become a pharmacist or a radiogropher or toilet attendant or something. To my great dissapointment I have found out it was a fake
trentfrompunchy.blogspot.com/


As for the fries comment, well I was just taking the piss. I have no idea what a mechanical engineer does but I am sure there are heaps of jobs.
My tip would be to try and move sideways into account management (sales) in a related industry. Commission and high earning potential for less effort.
swoosh
swoosh
QLD
1929 posts
QLD, 1929 posts
3 Mar 2011 12:32pm
could you quantify what you mean by high earning potential... in $$$?
Cambodge
Cambodge
VIC
851 posts
VIC, 851 posts
3 Mar 2011 2:53pm
Australia's nowhere near as relaxed and laid back as is popularly imagined. Maybe it used to be??? But it's still the best place in the world to live! :) Definitely do an extended visit before moving out.

And you wanna do something closer to nature? You working in a nuclear power plant is about as close to nature as anything gets! U238 decay is completely natural!! As is the consequence of pulling out too many of those Boron control rods ;)
Toots
Toots
WA
271 posts
WA, 271 posts
3 Mar 2011 1:07pm
Cambodge said...

Australia's nowhere near as relaxed and laid back as is popularly imagined. Maybe it used to be???


Haha so true, was talking to a German Engineer in Thailand this morning, he said "Australia is a police nanny state, WA leads the way."
We have a huge inbreeding problem here so our population is quite dumbed down. Fascist dictators get voted in every time coz they keep the inbreds fed with Mcdonalds and entertained with car races and footy and MTV for the kids.
We are extremely racist, a typical saturday night out in Sydney would consist of a few racially motivated stabbings and shootings, but that happens everywhere.
Alice Springs has the highest number of stabbings per capita in the world, AKA the stabbing capital of the world.
Its a shame we dnt care, only as an evovling custom its our duty. I love u all
We are a proud nation of Criminal underclass, Australia was settled as a Penal Colony therefore we are a brazen lot within a genepool of theives murderers and rapists disguised as a society.
Only here can you and your footy team not only get away with pack rape but then you are rewarded with your own prime time television show.
Did I mention we are the only country in the world to bring a tax on Carbon? Yes we are that backwards!
Every Euro is rightly seen as a threat to existence, therefore a slit to the gizzards via kite ropage is welcomed as an end to euro's ever existing
As for jobs, the mines are a gold mine if ya tuff enough ;)
Paradox
Paradox
QLD
1326 posts
QLD, 1326 posts
3 Mar 2011 5:20pm
Plenty of demand for Engineers of all types in Oz. The profession is also on the "short supply" list so 457 visa are easy to get as long as you are sponsored.

Mech is a bit of a difficult one as you end up in factories or in the resources sector which makes for non environmental work places, and Australia is not exactly a manufacturing mecca. Most Mech's I know have gone into management or or oil and gas. All on big bucks though.

There are some big Gas projects about to kick off in oz so if keen you could land a job on one of them.

Good grads here start on 70k+ (Aussie$, so thats like, heaps more in $US ) I work for an Engineering company and I am constantly raiding our US offices for good engineers. I consider them cheap labour....

Watch out for us taking the piss though...toots...



Hamsta
Hamsta
505 posts
505 posts
3 Mar 2011 4:02pm
tatkins said...

I have heard there is pleanty of building work in Perth also. If your into the ocean and wind sports than thats the place to be.

I think the 'fries with that' comment is for an arts degree


Or for an Education Degree if in WA
myusernam
myusernam
QLD
6158 posts
QLD, 6158 posts
3 Mar 2011 6:49pm
swoosh said...

could you quantify what you mean by high earning potential... in $$$?


many technical sales areas specify a degree or high end industry experience of some sort...you need to be technically aware and know how industry works, but not necessarily the stuff you are selling. High earning potential in $...
If you are selling stuff that is worth a lot of money, or lots of stuff that adds up to lots of money, and the commision is a few percent, then you make a lot of money. Disclaimer. not me, but envious of the guys that do
latedropeddy
latedropeddy
VIC
417 posts
VIC, 417 posts
4 Mar 2011 12:51am
i'm a mech eng in the biotech sector (cancer detection) - plenty of work here in melbourne.
Unfortunately business is booming with crazy levels of growth in this sector. We even do a whole bunch of design and consulting for the US of A. (thanks fellas!)

Regarding your course I think you should stick it out - as a mech you can do such a wide variety of work outside engineering if you choose to later on. Youve come so far so heads down arse up and get it finished. Working in the Nuke industry would give you exposure to good quality and regulatory systems - an other industry would be a piece of cake. Good experience I reckon.

We are paying a $5k finders fee for mech and mechatronic engineers so anyone keen send me a PM and we can work something out...
Our site is approx 30 minutes from the bay, 1.25 hrs from quality surf.
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23684 posts
WA, 23684 posts
3 Mar 2011 10:21pm
You mentioned sailing? I gather u mean windsurfing or sailing sailing? So you want a job as an engineer in Australia and somewhere with some wind?
Strewth stop talking about it, rock up in Perth and you will find a job somewhere between there and Exmouth - plenty of wind and water and a job.

What else do u need to consider?

(PS: if the USA gets students to run their nuke facilities, you may be better to get the hell out and move here before one of your frat buddies full of hooch makes the whole place glow in the dark. I know how it works, I've seen Big Bang Theory on channel 7 )

(PPS: latedropeddy, if I get him to email you, do I get the 5 big ones finders fee? )
busterwa
busterwa
3782 posts
3782 posts
3 Mar 2011 11:30pm
Just pull out and fix the sh1te that you yank loosers have designed.
Where the money is in Australia is keeping mining production lines running. Im a mechanical fitter im not smart but can lift heavy things. JOB satisfaction? whats that. Your a pussy No one enjoys working Problem yo uni freaks dont want to work. Im a hairy ass greese monkey but pull more coin than you.
If you come to western australia with that attitude of job satisfaction well break you. Man up princess your living in a dream world
takes about 2 weeks top break your attitude of world change and 5 weeks secluded from the real word. \
If you cant deal with working at a suburban power plant don't come over here
Anyways place a carton on this nob f you can break him in 3 days.. next looser..
point of interest..
dot try an implement big changes make a name for yourself.
place is cognitive runs itself.
I dunno dude were going to break you .chew you up and spit you out for breakfast .
Reguards,
wear your white collar shirt meekatharaa yachtclub
lol when you start runnin the mechanical and electrical department.
Paradox
Paradox
QLD
1326 posts
QLD, 1326 posts
4 Mar 2011 6:44pm
busterwa said...

Just pull out and fix the sh1te that you yank loosers have designed.
Where the money is in Australia is keeping mining production lines running. Im a mechanical fitter im not smart but can lift heavy things. JOB satisfaction? whats that. Your a pussy No one enjoys working Problem yo uni freaks dont want to work. Im a hairy ass greese monkey but pull more coin than you.
If you come to western australia with that attitude of job satisfaction well break you. Man up princess your living in a dream world
takes about 2 weeks top break your attitude of world change and 5 weeks secluded from the real word. \
If you cant deal with working at a suburban power plant don't come over here
Anyways place a carton on this nob f you can break him in 3 days.. next looser..
point of interest..
dot try an implement big changes make a name for yourself.
place is cognitive runs itself.
I dunno dude were going to break you .chew you up and spit you out for breakfast .
Reguards,
wear your white collar shirt meekatharaa yachtclub
lol when you start runnin the mechanical and electrical department.



wow - I am pretty sure I actually felt you getting more pissed as you wrote that.... or maybe you were sobering up?
chrispychru
chrispychru
QLD
7932 posts
QLD, 7932 posts
4 Mar 2011 7:06pm
geez you really did bust anut on that one. i love passion and you made me spit my beer
busterwa said...

Just pull out and fix the sh1te that you yank loosers have designed.
Where the money is in Australia is keeping mining production lines running. Im a mechanical fitter im not smart but can lift heavy things. JOB satisfaction? whats that. Your a pussy No one enjoys working Problem yo uni freaks dont want to work. Im a hairy ass greese monkey but pull more coin than you.
If you come to western australia with that attitude of job satisfaction well break you. Man up princess your living in a dream world
takes about 2 weeks top break your attitude of world change and 5 weeks secluded from the real word. \
If you cant deal with working at a suburban power plant don't come over here
Anyways place a carton on this nob f you can break him in 3 days.. next looser..
point of interest..
dot try an implement big changes make a name for yourself.
place is cognitive runs itself.
I dunno dude were going to break you .chew you up and spit you out for breakfast .
Reguards,
wear your white collar shirt meekatharaa yachtclub
lol when you start runnin the mechanical and electrical department.



pweedas
pweedas
WA
4642 posts
WA, 4642 posts
4 Mar 2011 6:04pm
It must be the heat.
Busterwa, put your head under the tap. Your brain cell is in thermal runaway and could self destruct in seconds.
Poida
Poida
WA
1922 posts
WA, 1922 posts
4 Mar 2011 6:39pm
lol
Cassa
Cassa
WA
1305 posts
WA, 1305 posts
4 Mar 2011 7:09pm
busterwa said...

Just pull out and fix the sh1te that you yank loosers have designed.
Where the money is in Australia is keeping mining production lines running. Im a mechanical fitter im not smart but can lift heavy things. JOB satisfaction? whats that. Your a pussy No one enjoys working Problem yo uni freaks dont want to work. Im a hairy ass greese monkey but pull more coin than you.
If you come to western australia with that attitude of job satisfaction well break you. Man up princess your living in a dream world
takes about 2 weeks top break your attitude of world change and 5 weeks secluded from the real word. \
If you cant deal with working at a suburban power plant don't come over here
Anyways place a carton on this nob f you can break him in 3 days.. next looser..
point of interest..
dot try an implement big changes make a name for yourself.
place is cognitive runs itself.
I dunno dude were going to break you .chew you up and spit you out for breakfast .
Reguards,
wear your white collar shirt meekatharaa yachtclub
lol when you start runnin the mechanical and electrical department.



too right !!!! not enough people speak the truth, (over educated mungbeens)
I like your work Buster
eltoro
eltoro
11 posts
11 posts
4 Mar 2011 10:51pm
I was going to come back and tell you to suck a fat one but maybe your right busterwa. Sitting in a cubicle all day everyday not doing anything definitely sucks ass….always looking over my shoulder hoping the boss doesn't walk by when tits come up in the funny images thread. I've never worked hard labor before the option has never been there but I would have no problem working in a mine or a factory if it comes up. Not everyone that gets some education so they can get a job that gets their brain juices flowing is a fairy. Yea some take advantage of their position but the people I look up to are the ones that do what they do for the love of doing it and take bullets for it. Whether that's a job or hobby. It's not wrong to make an effort to decide where you want to end up instead of just saying, whatever happens happens. I do appreciate you telling it how you feel it its given me something to think about.
Hamsta
Hamsta
505 posts
505 posts
5 Mar 2011 8:26am
Cassa said...

busterwa said...

Just pull out and fix the sh1te that you yank loosers have designed.
Where the money is in Australia is keeping mining production lines running. Im a mechanical fitter im not smart but can lift heavy things. JOB satisfaction? whats that. Your a pussy No one enjoys working Problem yo uni freaks dont want to work. Im a hairy ass greese monkey but pull more coin than you.
If you come to western australia with that attitude of job satisfaction well break you. Man up princess your living in a dream world
takes about 2 weeks top break your attitude of world change and 5 weeks secluded from the real word. \
If you cant deal with working at a suburban power plant don't come over here
Anyways place a carton on this nob f you can break him in 3 days.. next looser..
point of interest..
dot try an implement big changes make a name for yourself.
place is cognitive runs itself.
I dunno dude were going to break you .chew you up and spit you out for breakfast .
Reguards,
wear your white collar shirt meekatharaa yachtclub
lol when you start runnin the mechanical and electrical department.



too right !!!! not enough people speak the truth, (over educated mungbeens)
I like your work Buster


eltoro,

This may give you a cultural insight into the life and times of those who you may one day be ultimately hiring and firing.
I don't know the stererotype label you give them in the US, but in Australia, the media has cleverly tapped into the collective consciousness and labelled them as CUBS.

CUBS can be either male or female, although it can be a bit hard to differentiate at times.

Both genders share an unfaltering love of booze, and it is ALWAYS Beer'o'Clock.

The males, when full of booze, tend to end up admitting their love (platonic of course, but no less disturbing when witnessed by the uninitiated) for their mates whilst the MWV's (Miners with Vagina's, I'll take credit for creating this acronym) tend to want to get mouthy and punch on with anyone who gives them a sideways glance.

Stereotyping is wrong, but hey, in this instance it saves time and forewarned is forearmed. Enjoy!


thingsboganslike.com/about/

UP
UP
WA
69 posts
UP UP
WA, 69 posts
5 Mar 2011 10:05am
DO NOT COME WITH A VISA

I'm qualified civil engineer
Been here for ~5 years working as a senior engineer under sponsorship visa and I'm still no where with my immigration.

If I go to Indonesia and catch a boat and come back here I'll get my residency in 6 months plus all the supports from the government

Australian government loves boat people and hates professionals
My girlfriend was a german surgeon and after 3 years of trying to get residency she finally gave up last year. funny thing is if you need a surgery here in Australia you have to stand in the cue for 3 months because they don't have enough surgeons

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