Work or Study in China - Engineering

[ktb]

I have come to China on a L type visa with the hope to find a job and change my visa.

 

I have a civil engineering degree with 8 years experience.  I have been learning Mandarin for a while and would love to get work in China.  I don't expect to walk straight into a job. I have focused my search on western engineering companies, as I think this would be a good fit for me.  Any recommendations for recruitment agencies?  The larger western agencies I have found don't seem to have many positions posted.  Are there any networking groups for engineers?  I have not been able to find any online and knowing people seems to be the first step.  I am currently based in Shanghai, but open to go anywhere in China.  

 

If this does not work out, my back up plan is to enroll as a language student.  Would it be 'easy' to convert my L type visa to a student one in this case? 

 

Any suggestions?

[ChTTay]

Couldn't you have found work in you home country with a company that operates in China with a view to working there on projects or transferring? This always seems the easiest way for technical or specialist roles.

Used to be able to convert an L to an X study visa but not sure if that's the case now. I converted from L to Z in 2011 and Had friends do L to X in 2013 but a lot can change in 3 years.

[大块头]

Have you tried messaging people on LinkedIn? That is how I eventually found an engineering job in my industry (environmental engineering). If your specialty is related to water resources infrastructure you could possibly attend a Green Drinks event  in Shanghai.

[ktb]

Thanks so much 大块头 that is really useful advice.

 

I didn't know about green drinks in Shanghai - I will definitely check it out.

 

Time to update my linkedin!