Electrical Engineering in China

[Pravit]

Not sure where to post this, I'm sure roddy will find a decent place to put it if "Society" isn't a good place.

I'm interested in going to China someday, possibly to work for a long time. I'm studying EE right now and I'd like to get a higher degree after this one. How valuable would someone with a EE degree(and some level of knowledge of Chinese) be in China? How's the industry in China, in general? Kind of vague questions but I'm hoping someone with more knowledge can answer them for me. Thanks!

[Quest]

Salaries are low for technical professionals in China.

[Pravit]

Low for China standards or low for US standards? I figured such a degree might be of some use in China, considering that most of the grad students here are mainland Chinese. Perhaps they're all hoping to stay in the US?

[Pravit]

I suppose teaching English in China would be a better option?

[Quest]

I suppose teaching English in China would be a better option?

Higher salary if you are white.

[Pravit]

Higher salary if you are white.

I'm not.

China really isn't developing anything that needs electronics or electricity somehow? It seems strange considering that there are tons of Chinese engineering and computer sci grad students here.

[Quest]

China really isn't developing anything that needs electronics or electricity somehow? It seems strange considering that there are tons of Chinese engineering and computer sci grad students here.

They are, but they have excessive indigenous talents (very qualified grad students) that are happy living off 4000RMB/month.

[roddy]

I’m not going to claim to be an expert on the engineering job market, but I’d expect it to be difficult to find decent work locally, unless you want to accept a native wage (in which case you’ll be competing with local engineers with native language skills and presumably equal skills). My advice would be to look at the big employers in this field in the west and see which of them have interests in China (I think many countries have China-XXXland Business Associations or similar which will help), then get in touch, emphasizing your willingness to work in China (just bear in mind you could wind up in an isolated factory dormitory).

Teaching English, for all its faults, remains the easiest way to get work – unfortunately there’s no denying that skin color is still a factor. I like to think its becoming less of one though.

You might be able to combine these – teaching English to engineers, or proofreading technical translations – but I think you’d have to be prepared to spend some time teaching kindergarten as well . . .

It’s always worth putting ads on thatsclassifieds.com and xianzai.com (xianzai.com will place free job wanted ads, if you ask nicely) describing your skills and seeing what you get offered – I do this every 3 months or so even if I’m not looking for work, just to see what’s available.

[Pravit]

Thanks for your replies! It's too bad they don't get paid much, do teachers of English make more? Anyhow, it does seem like the best plan to simply work for a Western company that has interests in China. I realize it's kind of a difficult question to answer but thanks for your help.

[Quest]

Anyhow, it does seem like the best plan to simply work for a Western company that has interests in China.

They don't need foreign engineers as much as people who have managerial skills and experience.

[Pravit]

I see. Who knows, perhaps it will be a possibilty in the next decade or so. Or not.