r/Hydrology • u/docilekraken • 18d ago

Any experience working at a global firm?

Global Engineering Firms - What is it like?

I’m a water resources engineer a few months away from licensure. I’m considering moving to a global firm for the opportunity to collaborate/work on global/abroad projects, and maybe in the future even apply to move abroad.

Anyone who works at one now (the ones I am looking at the most are Stantec, Black and Veatch, Tetra Tech, Burns and McDonnell, CDM Smith, Arcadis) what is it like?

Are the hours crazy? Does it feel like fair wages/benefits for what you do? Did you get the chance to work on abroad (non USA for me) projects/does your company have a good program for doing that? Overall, do you like it?

Things important to me are work life balance (which the amount of public projects in water resources normally allows for that, even tho I work at a private firm) and PTO. WFH is also a huge plus as my current and last firm didn’t offer that. I’m based in Charlotte, NC and almost have my 4 years experience. Any and all commentary appreciated.

Thanks!

4 Upvotes

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u/OttoJohs 18d ago

Not trying to be a hater, but you sound a little naive. Not saying that you shouldn't look for new jobs, but you should really evaluate what is important. Basically, you shouldn't base your next job on superficial stuff like company size, office locations, prestige, "international", etc. Here are a couple of my thoughts...

1.) Just because a firm is international, doesn't mean that you get to work those projects. Typically, you are hired at a local office and support their business lines which typically is regional. There might be some collaboration across geographic offices, but general business practice is to minimize "outsourcing" work (especially internationally).

2.) I haven't really run across any of the firms you listed professionally. I like to think of the larger firms as a chain restaurant: you get a pretty good systematically ("mass produced") delivered product ("meal"). I have found that some of the smaller, regional based engineering firms have much more interesting projects and higher technical capabilities. YMMV.

Good luck!

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u/docilekraken 18d ago

Thanks for your comment! I will clarify I am not necessarily looking at these companies based on things like size and prestige, but mainly as a stepping stone to get to something I want to do - which is global career exposure. That in itself is quite hard to get I know, as it is competitive with not a lot of opportunity. The way I think of it is at least at an international firm there’s a chance and a path (a few of these firms offer programs to do short or extended stays abroad, you have to apply within the company though) where as with a domestic only firm, there’s a 0% chance. Basically I’m willing to risk certain shortcomings with large international firms for that chance. I hope that makes sense!

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u/Working-Wrongdoer555 9d ago

I work for a very large global firm as a water resource engineer. Bachelor's degree only. Personally, comp and work life balance are pretty good. Some busy periods, but manageable. 

In terms of international work, I've found that because my firm is so large, we have limited opportunities for international projects, as my company has staff pretty much everywhere in the world who do what I do. That being said, there have been a few international projects.

If working in international projects is your top priority, I might reccomend trying a smaller, highly specialized firm. We do have some specialists who work around the globe, but they tend to be PhDs who are industry experts.

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u/docilekraken 9d ago

This is good to know. What firm do you work for if you don’t mind me asking?

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u/CrabgrassMike 18d ago

Do you speak 2-3 languages fluently and have a masters? Because if not, then you are far behind many of those you would be competing with for these jobs.

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u/InterviewFluid3612 18d ago

Are you a highering manager that doesn't want to see any more applications or an applicant trying to dissuade other candidates from applying? I don’t get your negative attitude. Maybe it's fair advice but can't we be a supportive/ encouraging community?

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u/CrabgrassMike 18d ago

I'm an American environmental scientist based in Europe who could not find a job because of these exact reasons. I have a master's but because I do not speak anymore than English at a fluent level. Because of this, I am immediately disqualified for almost all openings at my level.

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u/BandAid3030 17d ago

You've used your jaded outlook to transmute the question into being about your conditions.

This advice is fundamentally untrue. If you move to a region where you have no domestic experience or language skills without a job offer, you should expect a difficult time.

Take the time to learn French, Mike. It's not too difficult and helps unlock other languages. Or learn the language of the country you live in. Lots more opportunity.

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u/Ok-Key-8429 18d ago

This is such a bad take. Ignore this guy.

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u/lostmy2A 18d ago

Speaking 2-3 languages fluently part is definitely not legit.. English man that's all anyone cares about in the US. Masters degree part I wouldn't disagree it's more normal though.

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u/CrabgrassMike 18d ago

This guy wants to work overseas. Not the US. English, despite being the lingua Franca of the world, is not spoken everywhere. Local offices, even at large multi national firms, want people who speak the local language. How do I know? Because I am overseas, and have struggled to find a job in a country where there is high English fluency. Because I cannot speak it at fluent to native level, my application is immediately trashed. And I have a master's degree from a university in that country.

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u/docilekraken 18d ago

If you don’t mind me asking, what country do you live in?