I am a mechanical engineer major and I was wondering if there was any jobs you could get in a certain field of engineering that would allow you to travel to other parts of the world for work? Do mechanical engineers ever have to travel on business with certain companies or as consultants? I know it would be business and not vacation but I think it would still be nice as seeing the world is a huge dream of mine.
-
Yes you can. There are large engineering engineering and energy companies that have projects all over the world. Then you may have to move to another country for a few years to work on the project. The places where you get to go range from really exiting, if you lucky, to waaay out of the way, if you're not.
Even if you work in the US, you may have to go to the manufacturer to look at a piece of equipment under construction. These trips could be domestic or overseas.
Of the two types of travel, living abroad is the more lucrative one. It used to be that the first $70,000 you earn was tax free, though I don't know if it's still the case. You do work a lot of overtime too, so you can make $150,000+ a year, and your housing is often paid for by the company. Depending on where you are, you can bring your family with you.
Traveling on business does have it downside too. Often you end up in a little town with nothing to do. I was stuck in one small town over the weekend, and almost everything was closed on Sunday.
Hopping from plane to plane to get there is no picnic either. A few days ago I sat in the window seat at the coach section of plane, next to a large guy in the middle seat. Now, I am also a large guy; so this was the longest three hour flight on my life.
Even if you work in the US, you may have to go to the manufacturer to look at a piece of equipment under construction. These trips could be domestic or overseas.
Of the two types of travel, living abroad is the more lucrative one. It used to be that the first $70,000 you earn was tax free, though I don't know if it's still the case. You do work a lot of overtime too, so you can make $150,000+ a year, and your housing is often paid for by the company. Depending on where you are, you can bring your family with you.
Traveling on business does have it downside too. Often you end up in a little town with nothing to do. I was stuck in one small town over the weekend, and almost everything was closed on Sunday.
Hopping from plane to plane to get there is no picnic either. A few days ago I sat in the window seat at the coach section of plane, next to a large guy in the middle seat. Now, I am also a large guy; so this was the longest three hour flight on my life.