I'm a recent PhD graduate, single and 29 years old. I might choose to work at overseas for a couple of years to earn extra cash. So, I'm interested in the gross income that I could earn. For simplicity, I meant which country would give the best deal considering the formula:

Gross Income = Salary - Income Tax - All living expenses

For living expenses, please consider the most decent one: a single room, self-cooked meal, public transportation.

In NZ, I spend around NZ$700 per month for living expenses.

If you have other choice of countries, please recommend. Thanks!

sg = low income tax / cost of living / near hometown[malaysia]

but lifestyle sucks.

EasyLife,

You are ASSUMING that you can get a job. Make sure that you have a few offers first before you think about this.

Dreamer

agree, even if u want and like it, you wont get it. so far the easist is aus n canada.. so far i have been only working in US, $$$ is good but for future family life is bad.

In my opinion, looking for a career in overseas right now is not a good choice. You just wasted your time. Local people will have more advantages compared to expat.

Worse case scenario you might receive the offer but compensation wise probably lower than locals whose on the same job! Don't think you want that either...

A PHD holder with no/less working experience wont buy you a ticket for a fast career track.

Most companies are looking someone with right balance between education and work experience.

why no USA included?
USA is the best after the recession.

EasyLife,

BTW, you used the WRONG terminology. In most cases, you ONLY get paid the local wages. You do not get the Ex-pat package. So, you will not be a ex-pat.

Dreamer

A PhD with no working experience - well, don't expect too much to begin with.

In fact, a PhD could count against you. In the non-academic field, you may be excluded from the job shortlist unless the company is specifically looking for candidates with higher degrees.

Considering where your degree is from, and assuming you qualify to work there, I would get some work experience there first. The money thing comes later.

Not to mention that other countries you are interested in are not necessarily interested in giving you a work permit.

Keeping your expenses to NZ$700 per month is quite an achievement. However, you may think differently when you start working.

The highlighted part in red is VERY TRUE. Your PhD only counts when you're looking for a academic role or research role whether it be in companies (eg: pharmaceutical research) or institutions.

In fact, at the age of 29, most other degree holders will have around 4-7 years exp (those who graduated at age 22-25), which is far more valuable than anything else.

I assume you have no working experience, but if you do, I also assume it is very little as compared to degree holders at your age. Therefore you are not only competing with the locals of the country of which you are already at an disadvantage, you are lacking the necessary experience and hands-on knowledge in whatever industry you desire to be in, excluding research, experimental and academic work or otherwise of course.

Don't forget that work permits for experienced roles/jobs are harder to obtain overseas particularly in the UK unless you're a PR (though u shouldnt have a problem getting work as an academician). In fact, even you're given a permit, it is a time limited one. Since the formation of European Union, residents in the Europe are free to work in any country there without the need of a permit, thus saving companies cost and provides many other inherent benefits.

This post has been edited by yewjhin: Mar 15 2009, 02:07 PM

I intend to be an academic. I agree with you that working experience is important, but I think it is more important to have valuable experience. It is obviously better to be a DESIGN ENGINEER rather than a SALES ENGINEER.

I worked as design engineer in an MNC in Penang for 1 year. I got first class honour degree from a bolehland Uni, a Masters from National Uni of Singapore (gold medalist for being the best graduate), and PhD from Auckland Uni (NZ govt scholar). I think I'm competetive enough to secure most high end jobs.

I think Dubai is a good choice. Earn USD but spend Durham.

FYI, DUR1.00 = RM1.00

why bad?

In terms of education you may look quiet attractive. Let me share with you a classic case. A friend of mine, he's Cambridge Graduate (Degree, Master and Phd in Maths),Chevening scholar and completed all those course when he was 24 years old. Lucky him! However, from what he shared with me he only earns +-MYR10,000 only after 6 years of working experience (4 years in king's college and 2 years local uni).

Personally I encourage you to explore and collect some more experience before start to demand in terms of salary

errr... american kids are screwed up.. most asian kids are screwed up there too... i prefer my family to be instilled with asian values

and the city i work in is 90% whites, i dont really wanna marry a white so my chances is very low, the only place i can find asian girl is at their uni...

also hard to get asian food.

This is very SERIOUS misconception. A Design Engineer is not necessarily better than a Sales Engineer. In fact, Sales Engineer may be earning less basic salary (not including commission), but can you dispute their ability to achieves sales, bring in customers and communicate with clients as well as translating the clients needs into practical solutions?

You can not compare both jobs and say A is better than B because they are different roles and often lead to very contrasting working environments. Whats important is what you learn out of it.

To an employer, your previous job title doesn't impress as much as your ability to showcase your skills gained, which in turn is gained by years of experience.

FYI: I'm a project engineer myself, doing chemical process design.

This post has been edited by yewjhin: Mar 15 2009, 02:29 PM

You might be right. As I have said, I am interested in academic field, which I feel that the design experience that I earned was more relevant to research. I somehow do not see how sales engineer is going to help with research, you might need to enlighten me

not all American kids are screwed:)
btw have you ever hit on whites? easy to get?

Easylife, I guess you just off the hook!

You shouldn't compare these jobs apple's like. By doing this, makes one look better than another. Both fields are important and do help each other.. without good selling skills, no matter how good your design is... its going no where!

Although I'm not salesman myself, but I do believe before you start selling stuff, salesman do need to know what are they selling

Correct. Sales Engineers are the bridge between the company and the customer. If company produce an average product but runs by a good team of sales personnel, it will still gain market popularity. Its just like advertising.

Well if you read back, u made a statement saying being a Design Engineer is better than Sales Engineer, but didnt mention that the case only applied to you, so I assume you were making a general statement of the public and corrected your misconception.

I do not know what kind of PhD you or which field you are in for that matter, but I assure you even sales experience can help in a PhD thesis that is related, whether it is banking, finance, marketing or business growth strategy etc etc.....

This post has been edited by yewjhin: Mar 15 2009, 03:36 PM