Best country to move to for succesful career growth?
Posted by s0m3_guy1984@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 15 comments
Hi, I'm currently at Uni studying Quantity Surveying (basically an accountant for construction: price everything, deal with client and contracts). I would eventually like to become a Chief Financial Officer far in the future and I might possibly complete an MBA to do this. Borderline my question is where is the best country in the world for career growth? Is it USA, UAE, Singapore, unheard of countries in Africa? Any replies are much appreciated.
BRIGENAI@reddit
it really depends on your goals, but places like singapore and the UAE are booming right now in construction and finance. the work culture is also pretty diverse there, which can help you grow your network. just keep in mind the cost of living can be high, especially in those areas.
itsthekumar@reddit
What's your country of origin and are you planning on returning there?
I think overall US is #1, but if your industry/country has strong ties to say the UK/Canada it might be useful to go there.
s0m3_guy1984@reddit (OP)
From the UK but hate it here. Overcrowded, miserable weather, feels like limited movement and a serious immigration problem. I've been to Canada and found it lovely but I have heard things are going south there too.
Puzzleheaded_Gain493@reddit
Literally same reason that brought me to this sub, if it wasn’t for cost of living crisis then it would be better but the need for financial security is higher than ever. I’ve considered US too need to start putting out applications , it’s not without its problems but salaries are high , career growth massive and it’s English speaking and may be able to settle in the long run not like places like Singapore Middle East where you can’t get citizenship and if you want PR like a golden visa you need to have a tonne of money and bought a property etc
potentexpat@reddit
For career growth and money the answer has always been and is still the U.S.
If you care about work life balance and family time then go somewhere else.
DatingYella@reddit
This I’m not actually too sure about… I don’t know how the construction industry works, but there’s a lot of building that’s being done in the past, in hija, but now it’s maybe the developing world in Africa?
The goal would be to identify top employees in the field since construction seems way more international. But business culture I’m sure is the best in the us.
RennaGracus@reddit
I’m in construction management in the US, not an expat though. They’re definitely correct about opportunities in the industry here. Project managers for a general contractor are pulling in 6 figures easily, plus bonuses. Lots of companies will give you a company truck, gas card, etc.
People are retiring from construction left and right and there’s a dire need for qualified field personnel too. Superintendents, etc. Those positions pay very well.
The issue OP could run into is if they need a visa, not sure most American GCs would sponsor a visa for a foreign college grad vs hiring a new college grad domestically
The issue is absolutely the work life balance. I probably average 55 hours a week. 65 when it’s busy. I don’t plan to do it forever, that’s for sure.
s0m3_guy1984@reddit (OP)
I'm from the UK so I don't think a visa would be tough. I would try to do an internship or get a graduate program in US but if not then I could work in UK for a few years before trying to go over.
DatingYella@reddit
Got it! Sounds like a good industry to be in if you’re compensated…
Let’s hope the west coast blue states start to build soon.
RennaGracus@reddit
Plenty of building in those areas, I’m working on a project in Colorado right now.
Most GCs just ignore labor laws when it comes to working hours for salaried employees. They’ll stop short of saying “you need to be there for at least 50 hours a week” but it won’t win you any favors if you put your foot down.
There definitely are builders who have quality of life in mind, I just don’t work for one right now 😅
DatingYella@reddit
That’s good to hear!!
Hope you find a good employer sometime then.
Select-Media4108@reddit
Believe it or not there are many people in US that care about work life balance and family time and enjoy both. I know that's hard for some people on here to understand. Of course, there are also people who don't have this in the US and Lord knows the US has many problems but these blanket statements make it sound like everyone here is miserable and the quality of life sucks, which just isn't true. We recently moved back to US after 10 years in Germany and have a far better quality of life because we have more family support, our kids have opportunities for extracurricular activities that they would have never had in our smallish town in Germany, and we function much better overall as a family. I also know many European families who have moved to the US and decided to raise their families here because they enjoyed it so much. The US is a big, vast, and wildly diverse country and I wish that was reflected more in this Reddit group.
rlstrader@reddit
If you want to be a CFO consider studying accounting and getting an accounting degree combined with MBA.
rlstrader@reddit
I'm partial to the USA due fo the extremely high number of job opportunities.
ISONISTCIS@reddit
There is no generic answer because becoming a CFO requires being in the right place at the right time, having executive presence, financial markets experience, professional pedigree (big 4 leadership experience, top tier banking or investment firm experience) and sponsorship plus a network. Quantity surveying obviously is too specific for that. It makes no sense. Switch to accounting, finance, actuarial science or another hard quantitative degree at a top tier school.