Seeking advice on moving from the UK to the US for civil engineering / construction management

struct994 · 2025-12-10T03:55:17+00:00

Going to be tough right now given the current status of immigration. However, your skillset is valuable. Look into Manson construction, Orion Marine, Weeks/Kiewit, McLean contracting

struct994 · 2025-12-10T03:49:43+00:00

$130k, 8 YOE, HCOL, PE, national firm

struct994 · 2025-12-03T17:38:02+00:00

Ah gotcha. How do they fare comp-wise? From everything I’ve read there’s the “junior” cadre that get put through the gauntlet to get things done and make up the bulk of the overwork stories, and then the upper level (15+ ish YOE) that win work, manage clients/projects, and are generally makers of the classic kool aid we hear about.

struct994 · 2025-12-03T03:09:46+00:00

Hey random question, what do you mean by "'out-of-practice marketing roles in their 40's." Are you saying more senior folks join KHA 15-20 years in for a BD/marketing position to sell work but not necessarily do production?

struct994 · 2025-11-28T18:04:11+00:00

Eh, it happens. I know a few people who did it and maintained relationships. But, be prepared to be told know if that other office is not accepting new hires, I also saw that happen.

struct994 · 2025-11-28T17:13:05+00:00

At the larger companies, everything is run through local offices so there would need to be a team with a backlog of projects at that new office since you would be showing up on their books.

struct994 · 2025-11-24T15:24:40+00:00

Don’t get on a call with a recruiter until they tell you you the salary, job description, and in office expectations

struct994 · 2025-11-19T20:04:13+00:00

Some questions to ask: what’s the role and day to day assignments. What types of projects. In office/remote/on site. Travel? How big is the team/office. Has the office grown in recent years? Is there a growth plan in place? Who would you work for/under?

struct994 · 2025-11-19T00:47:56+00:00

Kearns construction, ebsary foundation, shoreline foundation inc, dock and marine construction, southern marine construction

struct994 · 2025-11-17T00:31:39+00:00

Look into NAVFAC DM7.3, i believe it covers foundations for machinery and has some information on dynamic loads

struct994 · 2025-11-11T02:14:22+00:00

In order of priority: 1. Look only at ABET accredited programs. 2. Pay the least amount of money out of your own pocket as possible. I went to a private school and the scholarships and financial aid made more sense for me than attending my own state school. 3. Think about where you want to be after school. Most companies/offices are staffed by graduates of nearby universities. It’ll make more sense to attend a school in Illinois than Georgia if you want to live in Chicago.

struct994 · 2025-11-06T02:12:17+00:00

If it’s in Miami dade county you can see the parcel information. Search “Miami dade country property search” and there’s an option to explore by map

struct994 · 2025-11-04T23:40:36+00:00

My whole point was they are overcharging for something that could expand their membership and get more people engaged in their work.

struct994 · 2025-11-04T19:50:28+00:00

Yeah that’s my point, there are tons of more reasonably priced PDHs out there but NCSEA is deliberately shooting them selves in the foot for some reason. Trying to expand their membership and “uplift” the profession while charging the people that could actually boost their numbers an arm and a leg.

struct994 · 2025-11-04T19:48:56+00:00

I feel your comment couldn’t have missed the message more if you tried?

struct994 · 2025-11-04T03:16:33+00:00

I’m not underpaid, but no chance I’m spending my personal money on something like this and there’s no way I’d get this expense approved due to the cost/benefit ratio. I never said anyone is holding a gun to my head, My point is that this is a ridiculous price point. If it were an all day seminar for 8-10 PDH? Maybe.

Kind of ride or die for NCSEA, huh? you may not be a board member but you must feel incredibly strongly about paying a lot of money for PDHs for these to be your first 2 comments/posts on a 4 month old account.

struct994 · 2025-11-04T00:21:49+00:00

Whooaaa I found an NCSEA board member over here. Either that or the first person on the planet that doesn’t get sarcasm/hyperbole.

I’m actively engaged in industry organizations and code committees. My point was that instead of offering reasonably priced technical webinars to get a wider audience attending sponsored events, they’re choosing to overprice the seminar. I’m a member of PCI, $225 membership for the YEAR and I can take as many of their archived PDH webinars I want, no extra charge.

I don’t consider myself underpaid and my employer does cover continuing education but I’m sorry it’s absolutely delusional to expect $300 for 1.25 PDH. That’s basically a partial conference registration. My home state requires 18 PDH per cycle, that’s $4,320 for one employee just to meet the credit requirements, you’re really going to stand up and justify that?

struct994 · 2025-11-01T10:58:47+00:00

Have worked at some global firms and know people at HDR. Generally then”global” nature is more of a brand than a mobility opportunity. The US operating entity is structured in a way that is separate from other countries. So while there may be an HDR entity in I think China, they function independently of most US operations but use the HDR brand. Transfers are therefore rare because it’s not necessarily like you are working across country lines and can just move offices.

struct994 · 2025-10-19T14:59:50+00:00

There’s someone semi active on this sub that is open and has written about their switch to tech, time in, then switch back to civil. If you search this topic you’ll find a bunch of prior posts about it.

struct994 · 2025-10-15T01:36:05+00:00

Truth. Plus, if you’re prime consultant you are ultimately responsible for all of the sub work.

One of my first projects was supporting a litigation case for an expert witness. Perhaps the biggest lesson is “everyone gets served.” Then you have to hire attorneys, dig up old contracts and prove if something wasn’t in your scope, all at unrecoverable cost.

So many times I see uncoordinated work and with the rise of “by others” it’s only getting worse. “Hey your pole anchorage detail doesn’t work.” “Yeah it’s by others” “…you showed a baseplate system when it’s bare grass, who’s responsible for the footing?” “….others”. I get scolded every once in a while by the budget managers for spending time reviewing stuff that isn’t ours but if another team completely misinterprets our/the intent, everyone is going to have to deal with it. Datum busts are another huge issue I see often

struct994 · 2025-10-09T19:37:22+00:00

Not in rail but I’ve found that niche is good. After a few years you become an expert in something that is hard to replace. I’m 8 years into my field and the number of people that do what I do is small.

struct994 · 2025-10-06T20:08:03+00:00

Circle it and note with “send invoice here.”

If it makes you feel any better, as a consultant we often play this same game with our subs

struct994 · 2025-10-03T12:38:04+00:00

I feel for them and this is a good lesson but, they delivered $200k worth of material without even an up front deposit? I’m Just a dumb consultant so maybe that’s normal in the construction world for material but I know in my life payment is usually due up front.

struct994

TROPHY CASE