Graduates overseas: my engineering job in Panama

Many engineering graduates will get opportunities to travel. Construction engineer Chris Jennions has been making the very most of those chances, and describes his work and lifestyle.

Did your desire to work abroad affect your choice of employer?

I always wanted to work abroad on large, interesting projects. Initially I looked at local contractors, until my uncle, who also works in the industry, suggested my current organisation, and I realised that they were a huge company likely to offer overseas opportunities.

How much time have you spent working overseas?

Initially I didn’t think I’d spend this much time overseas – I’ve lived abroad since March 2006 and I’m still really enjoying it. In this time, I’ve moved between San Francisco, Doha in the Middle East, Tokyo and finally Panama where I am at the moment. Being away from friends and family doesn’t bother me too much as I can always keep in touch or take holidays with friends.

What project are you working on?

I’m currently working on a proposal for the Panama Canal Expansion Programme, which will allow the canal to accommodate bigger ships. My role involves planning how the project will be executed, co-ordinating construction and scheduling, and determining costs.

What do you enjoy most about working abroad?

It’s the variety of mobile working that appeals to me. Moving around and constantly changing my environment helps keep work exciting. Getting to experience different cultures is also a bonus: when I’m living somewhere I see the reality of the place and experience local customs, as opposed to just being a tourist. At the moment I’m learning Spanish.

What have you learned from your time overseas?

Being based overseas allows you to experience different approaches and methods of working. For example, I found that in Japan the people tend to be very methodical, always taking time to work through things in detail. I’ve had to develop my communication skills to enable me to adapt. I find that you pick up new skills as a result of seeing country-specific engineering methods, of which I would have otherwise been unaware.

What are the pros and cons of working away from home?

Working for an international company where you are expected to move around the world means that you have to be flexible: I can get a phone call and four hours later be on a plane to another country. Personally I find that exciting and enjoy the lifestyle it brings but then I’ve always enjoyed travelling.

How do you make the most of the opportunities available to you?

It’s a great job to do while you’re young and don’t have many responsibilities. I’ve progressed quickly in my role and travelled all over the world because I say yes to everything. Working in San Francisco for five months gave me the chance to settle and make lots of friends, which meant that when I received a call asking me to move to the Middle East I initially didn’t want to go. However, you never know what will happen so I agreed and spent the next two years there having an amazing time. This job’s not for everyone as you are expected to be mobile for at least the first three years. Some people don’t like travelling, but my desire to see the world has opened more doors.

Chris Jennions is a construction engineer with Bechtel Ltd. He graduated from the University of Bath with an MEng in civil and architectural engineering.