A couple weeks ago (they use the term "fortnight" here like a normal word, hehe) we went to a sustainable living festival here in Melbourne and stopped by the Engineers Without Borders booth and subsequently joined the group online. Tonight we went to our first EWB meeting in the city along with about 20+ other local members. We met at a downtown bar and fully expected a handfull of middle aged men in suits dryly discussing engineering topics. We were pleasantly surprised to find a mostly younger crowd (our age or a bit older) about half of which were females and who were all very into the multitude of projects, big and small, that the organization orchestrates. They were also a very social group, appearing to be "our kind of people": smart, involved, fun, professional, extremely good looking...you know who I'm talking about.
As an added bonus, we talked to a few people who suggested that we send our resumes their direction to be passed along to interested parties in their respective companies. Frankly, we were hoping for some sort of networking like this to occur, so we're glad that we fit in and got to talk to some nice folks who may have openings at their places of employment. A group of them even invited us to dinner after the meeting, so we shared a nice meal around a lazy susan in Chinatown. All in all, it was a success and we will be contacting the 2 represented companies tomorrow with our resumes.
In other news, our travel visa runs out (i.e. requires us to leave the country and come back in to renew it) on March 15th. We are planning on heading to NZ just before then for a couple weeks to meet our visa requirement and to apply for a different visa that will allow us to work. This temporary work visa was not available when we left the States and it should help us to get work upon our return. We have to apply and receive this stupid visa while outside the country, which is the only tricky part. They say it only takes 2-4 weeks to process, so we're really hoping that they go faster than the US government is known for so that we can come back and get one of these jobs before the fire goes out. I have faith that we will 1) get our foot (feet?) in the door at at least one company, 2) have an awesome NZ vacation, 3) receive our new work visas in a timely fashion while on vacation, 4) come back to a nice job that pays us money. Cross your fingers for us.
6 comments:
Sounds great! People tend to like New Zealand better than anywhere else in the world. So, what is the next step with the Engineers Without Borders?
Mom, if you mean with the organization (not with the jobs we might be getting from the members), we looked into joining the groups for some of the projects that they are working on. It's a pretty new organization here in Aus, so they're just getting stuff started. Kane asked about a pedal powered water pump they're planning on building for some upcoming festival (Kane likes to build things, especially when they have pedals) and I asked about a project they're starting in Ethiopia. They're just beginning their assessment of what they can do in Ethiopia to help a community there, so hopefully I can get into a group that is helping with some project over there. Anyway, we'll see, but sounds interesting.
All fingers crossed here in Austin for you. I love the sound of a diggery-do. I see a lot of patient at my sleep center with sleep apnea (obviously). One of my patients read that playing the diggery-do would improve his sleep apnea. He tried it for 6 months but still snored, he is now on CPAP.
Yes, darling Angie. I meant Engineers Without Borders - the organization. Glad you are networking as well. It is a great way to get connected and obtain jobs.
Wow! Awesomely awesome! Sounds like a really good move to have gone to that meeting. That's really the best way to get a job sometimes, by hooking up with other people in your field. You have a very good plan laid out there. I think things will go exactly like you said....perfect! I'm glad you are having such a good time. Stay safe. I love you.
Ahh, New Zealand! This is the main reason for my continuing hope for a Star Trek type transporter: I really would like to go, but a 72 googlillion hour flight does less than thrill me. Do you get any of the travel books (Rick Steves or Fidors) to give you ideas of what to see? Denise was the book baby for our journeys, and thank heavens she did. Who would know of a batik and tie dye "factory" in the mini-jungle of St. Kitts? Cool little Kinsale in Ireland? Etc, etc. Imagine some of y'alls NZ pics to be large, poster sized enlargements some day. Shoot some good ones!
unclejohn
Post a Comment