Hi,
I live in US and I have received an offer to work in Dhahran. Offer is good, at SC 15 and position is interesting: Engineering / Technology development. I have a pretty good job now, with over 10 years with current employer, but Aramco role would be a step up. I would be moving with family.
Any pros or cons to help me decide? I’ve never been to KSA.
Don’t bring small kids here whatever you do, the environment plays havoc with respiratory systems. There are links to cancer in later life. Just look at average Saudi life expectancy!!!
If you can make $$ for a couple of years or are near retirement, then it’s an option, otherwise RUN AWAY
Dhahran exceeds 6 times the recommended values of PM2.5
How Does Particulate Matter Impact Your Health?
Particulate matter is a significant health concern (it’s an air pollutant, after all!). To discuss the full wellness implications of particulate matter, we need to split up PM10 and PM2.5.
PM10 health effects
Despite being larger of the two PM categories, PM10 is still quite small (less than one-tenth the width of a human hair!). As you inhale these particles, PM10 can irritate your nose and throat tissue, triggering allergic reactions. Once these particles get into your lungs, PM10 further irritates the lung tissue and can prompt asthma attacks. Additional conditions include:
Stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack
Increased risk of lung cancer
Reduced lung development
Bronchitis
Premature death
PM2.5 health effects
PM2.5 poses an even greater danger to your health. One of the reasons scientists study PM2.5 separately from PM10 (even though PM2.5 is technically counted as PM10) is because of a special property of PM2.5. Unlike PM10, PM2.5 can not only enter your lungs but also permeate your bloodstream. PM10 particles get stuck higher up in your respiratory track and can't penetrate deep into your body, as PM2.5 does. PM2.5 can flow to other parts of your body like your brain and heart.
As PM2.5 enters different organs in your body, it causes inflammation and damage. For this reason, PM2.5 contributes to the same conditions as PM10 and additional ones like:
Respiratory disease
Reduced immune response
Congenital disabilities
Diabetes
Reduced brain white matter
Don't expect similar working conditions of a big oil first, if you are in your 50s possibly is a good move, below that you are sacrificing your career.
It is a clear difference how HR treat you, now Aramco is completely focused to locals.
Another important point is your health, living under AC has his toll, breathing nocive contamination also. Before best US MDs jo--t Aramco, after JHAH, well, go always for a second opinion and treatments in the US without any doubt.
I'd highly recommend to go for it. Grade 15 is a very good start and should have a room for annual salary increase. But be prepared for a situation that you won't be promoted for at least next five - seven years, or possibly never. I spent in Dhahran six years and was pretty happy about this. My banking account is especially happy. They say there are a lot of negative changes recently. Could be, although you may leave any time if something goes wrong.
How about being put in touch with some that got layed off or who quit.
I agree with the person who suggested going bachelor status to check it out. Nothing to lose. I also agree with the comments to go for it. It sounds like a great opportunity at SC15. Aramco is a great company. Don’t be put off by the negative comments - to be expected on a site called ‘layoff’. You could ask your ASC recruiter to put you in touch with Aramco based expats from your Dept. This might reassure you that it is indeed a great opportunity.
You do get used of it. But you sell your soul in the process. I tried to keep some of mine back but they resent expats, and are jealous of them. Also the longer you're there the harder it is to leave as you become conditioned to living in a compound that it is a shock to the system when you finally escape. And forget career development. You will be the lackey and the scapegoat at the same time. Be warned!
OMG, I LOL with last comment, I will said only don't go with family and you will have 6 month probation period where you can actually test as well the company.
I would say go for it. Getting a SC15 offer is a good one, and a great start, and the role you are offered seems to interest you. It is possible you will get promoted. Don’t know your job, but generally the job ladder for engineering roles go to SC17. Might take time of course but you are already on a good start. I know people say the ‘good old days for the expats are over’. Well they were saying that in 1991 when I joined. Indeed, when I joined, people used to refer back to the time of the Iranian crisis in 1979, and back then same story re the good days for expats are over. There will be challenges and adjustments. But the pros far far outweigh the cons. If you, and your family, are open to an adventurous international lifestyle, you will really enjoy it. Life is short. Go for it, and wishing you the best in your decision.
I will try to be balanced
Pros
Cons
Old timers are on a massively lucrative long term benefits program. Leaving will cost literally $100ks… the golden handcuffs…
Employees now get a b-m deal in comparison, almost nothing if leave before year 5 and the increments are poor.
Wow, a lot of negatives. Interesting that the latest poster has been there for 9 years in spite of cr---y conditions. Do you just get used to it?
I have been here 9 years and I seriously say do not go for it. Things have changed so much that you have to be crazy to accept.
These days and times it seems like a big risk to uproot your wife and kids for a roll of the dice in KSA. Better have a plan B. Back in the golden era of Saudi expatism it wouldn't require such careful consideration.
Grade code sounds good. At the same time if the money makes sense to you regardless of lack of development I would say go for it.
Keep I'm mind the department you get in might be luck of the draw. Also try to practice self restraint regardless of the yelling and drama Saudis make. I made the mistake of yelling back at my supervisor
The best days for the expat are over, sadly now, expats just do the jobs saudis dont want to be accountable for, but when you succeed, be sure a saudi will get the praise, salary increase and grade code for your endeavours. Go only for cash, thats all you will get. Remember to never be bitter, you have been warned and they are not horrible people its just how the game is played.
Only Saudis are allowed to work in IT
Be aware that this can happen. The department that interviews you, and offers you a position, is not always the one that you wind up in once your arrive. Sounds crazy but it happened to me.
I’d avoid unless you want to kiss goodbye to your career.
If you are you close to retirement it might be a good idea, you can bank buck and live an easy (and rather unrewarding) lifestyle.
Bringing small kids over here is very bad idea.
Which Department has made the offer?
In addition to all of the valid points already made, the "free" medical care from JHAH is another consideration. The quality of care and speed of delivery is definitely going down the drain.
Think carefully
if you need the money, move and receive your monthly apology, as most refer to it. If you want to grow your career. don't even think about going. They is no training or career development for expats. Houses are small and cr-p compared to NA standards.
"position is interesting: Engineering / Technology development"
Do you know people in that department? Do you know FOR A FACT that you will actually wind up there?
The sad fact at Aramco right now is that just about every department is short handed. Expats are being drafted by departments with the highest turnover (i.e. the most toxic work environments). Don't assume that your background only qualifies you for the job you applied for either. I've seen a Power Engineer assigned to general building projects working with construction layouts. I've seen a Finance guy assigned to Contract Advisory reviewing bid packages for drilling jackets. If I had only one word to describe Aramco it would be chaotic. You are rolling the dice if you take the offer. So ... do you feel lucky?
IMHO it is a zero-sum endeavor. If it was 1970 it would be a no brainer to go but now things have changed for the expat. Since you are happy where you are I would say stay.
You will lose ground on your technical abilities and skill set.
Good luck friend.
Think twice or at least very carefully. It's a big move and the ways of working for the most part are not conducive to being happy in the workplace/ or in life in general!
Life on camp is like living in a bubble. It has it's pros - very safe and secure, and if something breaks in your house you just call Housing and out someone comes and fixes it for free, but think The Truman Show! It gets very boring fast. But you can go over to Bahrain at the weekend with your family or escape to Dubai every now and again.
I had enough after just a few years but some people love it and stay for years! Though they do tend to be strange. Compound living for a long period does strange things to a person!!!
Good luck with your decision.
Nobody goes there for career progression. It's only about money. If you want to earn well, save well, and possibly retire early, you have your answer.
Do not go. For your own sake and family. KSA is he-l. Remember my words brother.