How Do I Know if an International HVAC Career is For Me?
When you hear that a career in HVAC could take you anywhere in the world, it's hard to know where to start looking. You've finished your trade school program and are up to date on the latest HVAC technology. Possibly, you're looking for a job in mechanical maintenance to use the technical skills you learned in refrigeration school. You know you could get a job in Phoenix, AZ or somewhere in the US where you're comfortable, but maybe you want to try something else, something more challenging. You could work in Asia or Europe. You could work in India or Canada.
How do you know where to go? How do you know if you would like an international job?
- You have the energy and drive to go to a place you're interested in
- You like learning about new cultures
- You can stand being away from your friends and family
- You are a person who likes to take risks
Often, the hardest part about working abroad that you must work with people of very different cultures, people who have different customs, languages, beliefs and mentalities toward their work. You must be able to engage in their way of life and it helps to have an interest in what that means. If you choose to work outside of the U.S., you must understand that your way may not be the right way in another country. HVAC training schools will help you prepare to work in other countries, but you need to be willing to give in to other people's work methods, even when your natural reaction is to try to take charge. Try to be flexible and encourage your coworkers by adapting to the environment.
Another factor to take into consideration is how you are able to function away from your family and friends. Many times working abroad will involve expatriate assignments, where you go for 12 to 18 months to work before coming home again. While living abroad can be exciting, learning new cultures can be a very eye-opening experience and some people have an exceptionally hard time adjusting to being away from family and friends.
Most importantly, are you a person who is willing to take risks? The HVAC industry is stable, so jobs security won't be your number-one concern. The concept of risk-taking will apply more to the social standing of Americans abroad. Americans may not always be well thought-of by people in other countries. There is always a chance that being an American abroad could become a problem, though it may be a very small chance. Anti-American sentiments might or might not be be prevalent, depending on the location you are in.
If you can adapt to other cultures, are ok with being away from your friends and family, and enjoy taking risks, an HVAC job abroad may be an excellent choice for you.
Not all of the photos on
this website were taken at the school; they are meant to be
illustrative of some of the career activities. |
