English with a Polish girlfriend. Experience in engineering, machines

david d

Feb 22, 11, 17:33 #1

Hi,

Im English with Polish girlfriend, over the last 2 years it has become harder and harder to find work and with England so expensive to live, its making us consider our options.
My girlfriends family is from North Poland, work for her would be no problem.

But for me ? im 23 and have experience in engineering, machining using lathes, mills, working in many sectors.
Experience technical support and selling products, but next to no Polish language.

What are the chances to find work for me ? or I must start learning Polish before considering ?
From visiting I really liked the area, but would need to work.

Last year I worked few weeks in Germany and few weeks in France to make good money (but alone, my girlfriend does not want to stay in these countries) work was very busy and pay much better than england, and most people could speak english.

Its not easy decision, because I want to stay in England, but the bills, cost of living is so high, and work for the last 4 years has been up & down, never staying busy and giving security for future.

♂

Feb 22, 11, 18:24 #2

david d:

Its not easy decision, because I want to stay in England

Be aware that Poland especially northern and eastern part is still very poor. Young people earn about 300-400 pounds per month but prices are almost western. They study, live with parents as long as possible and don't know what to do next. There is no jobs around. For example in Olsztyn there is only one big employer Michelin but town has about 180ooo inhabitants.

It doesn't matter if you speak Polish or not. You are still foreigner. We aren't ready for western style of thinking yet. I can't imagine you in my work among us but what's worse especially my bosses can't imagine. They not always play fair.

We notorious think where to escape. UK again (oh no) or Germany (available soon) or Norway (land of milk and honey) and you suddenly appear and consider moving here ;)

♂ [Moderator]

Feb 22, 11, 19:26 #3

david d:

But for me ? im 23 and have experience in engineering, machining using lathes, mills, working in many sectors.

being able to read a plan/drawing will help.

as u know the work is more to do with knowledge of the machine. and on the factory floor u can't chat much, if you're busy.

the pay will be terrible by most standards, but work is work.

u need to find a friend who knows people in the business.

make learning Polish a priority.

delphiandomineThreads: 42 Posts: 9,954 Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended]	Feb 22, 11, 20:34 #4
david d: Last year I worked few weeks in Germany and few weeks in France to make good money (but alone, my girlfriend does not want to stay in these countries) work was very busy and pay much better than england, and most people could speak english. What about living close to Germany and working in Germany itself? Then again - I'm not sure that there's much industry in Eastern Germany!

♀

Feb 23, 11, 00:34 #5

Hi,

I speak with a little experience as I have an English boyfriend who lives with me in Warsaw.

When we met he couldn't speak any Polish and on subsequent trips to Poland before he moved over he only picked up the basic phrases. He was working in banking in London and the skills he has were not really transferable to Poland without fluency in Polish.

He had money saved up from his job but he wanted to integrate and use his time productively so after a 3 month stint at a language school he started teaching English private lessons, these didn't pay much so he started looking for things he could do without needing to know fluent Polish.

He now trades on eBay buying mobile phones in the UK (including broken ones and repairing them) and selling them in Poland, certain phones like iPhone and Blackberry sell for a premium. He doesn't do technical repairs, more like refurbishment with new screen and back. That along with other stuff he does online (other eBay/Adsense/Affiliate Marketing) provide a lot more money than he needs to live a nice life here. He didn't know how to do any of these things before he moved over.

There are plenty of opportunities in Poland if you take time to think things through, you don't just have to be an English teacher.

You only get opportunities to change your life like this rarely, many people spend all their life in their home town. Do some research, learn some Polish and move over and enjoy it. The worst case scenario is you might have to move back at some point, but at least you won't look back and regret that you never tried.

♂

Feb 23, 11, 20:07 #6

Kasia Popowska:

There are plenty of opportunities in Poland if you take time to think things through, you don't just have to be an English teacher.

Too right.

david d:

because I want to stay in England

This is gonna be your biggest problem as things will never quite measure up to you Idealised vision of how things could be in GB. As was my first time living here, I got homesick.

The question youve gotta ask yourself is why, and if the things can be counted on one hand, come/go.

david d:

What are the chances to find work for me ?

finding good work is a lot harder than setting yourself up, outside big cities anyway. Hit the ground running if you can itll be a lot easier.

Wroclaw BoyThreads: 57 Posts: 5,478 Joined: Jul 3, 09 MEMBER ♂	Feb 23, 11, 20:17 #7
Kasia Popowska: There are plenty of opportunities in Poland if you take time to think things through, you don't just have to be an English teacher. Which kind of brings us back to teach English or start your own business, those are the options.

rabidbavibThreads: - Posts: 21 Joined: Sep 27, 10 ♂	Feb 23, 11, 21:20 #8
yea not many jobs, but lets face it a crap job in a place your happy is better than a top job in a place full of misrible people. difficult tho living with parents in law (learn quicker ) 6 months was enough for me. plenty of cotlets and awkward silences.

♂

Edited by: hague1cmaeron Feb 23, 11, 21:41 #9

peter_olsztyn:

It doesn't matter if you speak Polish or not. You are still foreigner. We aren't ready for western style of thinking yet. I can't imagine you in my work among us but what's worse especially my bosses can't imagine. They not always play fair.

We notorious think where to escape. UK again (oh no) or Germany (available soon) or Norway (land of milk and honey) and you suddenly appear and consider moving here ;)

ignore the above comments, far too pessimistic and behind the times.

Give it a go and see what is available, that would be my advice(:

Kasia Popowska:

There are plenty of opportunities in Poland if you take time to think things through, you don't just have to be an English teacher.

You only get opportunities to change your life like this rarely, many people spend all their life in their home town. Do some research, learn some Polish and move over and enjoy it. The worst case scenario is you might have to move back at some point, but at least you won't look back and regret that you never tried.

My sentiments exactly.

♂

Feb 23, 11, 22:54 #10

david d:

Experience technical support and selling products, but next to no Polish language.

It might be worth trying to contact some of the bigger companies, especially international ones, as places like Phillips use English in the upper levels. Also, an international company might find your selling experience useful.

peter_olsztyn:

For example in Olsztyn there is only one big employer Michelin but town has about 180ooo inhabitants.

True, Peter, but they have a number of foreign (French and British) working for them. And what about smaller companies like Bujalski in Dywity? They manafacture tanks for industry and export around the world (Israel, Indonesia, Kazakhstan etc). A few years ago they were screaming out for workers (especially welders). Phillips in Kętrzyn etc.

jump_bunnyThreads: 8 Posts: 332 Joined: May 14, 09 ♀	Feb 23, 11, 22:58 #11
Kasia Popowska: Very smart of him. Don't lose the guy!

rabidbavibThreads: - Posts: 21 Joined: Sep 27, 10 ♂	Feb 23, 11, 23:03 #12
also try ABB Alstom and siemens in Elblag.

♀

Feb 24, 11, 01:14 #13

Wroclaw Boy:

Which kind of brings us back to teach English or start your own business, those are the options.

If you use your brain a little there are so many more options...same for Polish people who live in UK. I know many people who are educated to very good standard yet are working in pub/restaurant in the UK. They are afraid to try for other jobs as they don't have fluent English.

A little bit of belief goes a long way, English teacher and starting your own business are not your only options, many skills are transferable, you just need a little Polish language and "a set of balls" to push yourself to do it.

My friend also has boyfriend from UK (Ireland), he buys cars and fixes them (he is mechanic) and sells them, people got to know he is mechanic and now he is fixing many person's car for them as also selling. He makes good money also.

Don't listen to negativity, if you want to be with her and have half a brain you will find something to earn money. My boyfriend loves to meet with other British guys for beer and chat so if you want ideas come Warsaw and he will tell how he lives here.

Too many people pigeon hole themselves in the career they did already, there is much more you can do.

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 760 Joined: Apr 18, 07 ♂	Feb 26, 11, 01:44 #14
hague1cmaeron: far too pessimistic yup, it is hidden survey ;) hague1cmaeron: behind the times no :) Trevek: what about smaller companies like Bujalski in Dywity? How much they can pay? 5000zł pcm? I will apply tommorow ;) Would you like to commute from Jaroty to Dywity for less than 3000zł? ;) Why relocate from country where NMW is about 800 pounds pcm to Poland with about 1000zł?

♂

Feb 26, 11, 17:43 #15

Experience technical support and selling products, but next to no Polish language.

What are the chances to find work for me ? or I must start learning Polish before considering ?
From visiting I really liked the area, but would need to work.

Last year I worked few weeks in Germany and few weeks in France to make good money (but alone, my girlfriend does not want to stay in these countries) work was very busy and pay much better than england, and most people could speak english.

Its not easy decision, because I want to stay in Eng

♀

Feb 26, 11, 18:08 #16

Mario,

If you wish to work in technical support or selling there is little chance you would find work let alone anything similar to the relatively high paid work you had in Germany.

Without Polish you won't be able to complete simple tasks or communicate with any non English speaking colleagues.

If you can speak English and earn a lot more in England then I'd suggest staying there until you can at least speak enough Polish (it will take you a lot of studying) to find employment in Poland.

♂

Mar 2, 11, 23:51 #17

peter_olsztyn:

hague1cmaeron: far too pessimistic
yup, it is hidden survey ;)

hague1cmaeron: behind the times
no :)

peter can you not believe its your turn or what?
mario whats this like, copy and paste, paste and copy (get a girl) hibba NO. sorry kasia Im routing for you and your fella, but launguae isnt the problem, its the Will to understand eachother without losing face here.

Kasia Popowska:

"a set of balls" to push yourself to do it.

dead right

Wroclaw Boy:

those are the options.

nah endless mate

♂

Edited by: BBman Mar 3, 11, 00:28 #18

david d:

have experience in engineering, machining using lathes, mills, working in many sectors.
Experience technical support and selling products, but next to no Polish language.

Experience in engineering? So you don't have an engineering degree or some kind of engineering technician college/trade school diploma?

Education is valued in Poland so without these it will be extremely difficult to find work in engineering (or any field). Even more of a problem if you can't speak Polish.

♂

Mar 3, 11, 02:00 #19

david d:

Last year I worked few weeks in Germany and few weeks in France to make good money (but alone, my girlfriend does not want to stay in these countries) work was very busy and pay much better than england, and most people could speak english.

Its not easy decision, because I want to stay in England, but the bills, cost of living is so high, and work for the last 4 years has been up & down, never staying busy and giving security for future.

the easiest option for you is to work in Germany and live in Poland - especially if you are going to live in Szczecin area or even Gdańsk area - this at least for a start - then looking for a job for a foreign company in Poland is an option (you should not expect to find such position rightaway) - actually my relative is starting as a representative to some German-Polish cooperation (seems some serious thing in rail vehicles) in Poznań and perhaps Toruń - if you wish to know any details PM me (I won't give you my e-mail here 'cause the admins don't like it and will probably edit it out anyway)

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English with a Polish girlfriend. Experience in engineering, machines - working in Poland?