Oh, the glamorous life abroad! The pursuit of an international project management career often makes our eyes light up as we think about the possibilities of professional advancement, financial gains, cultural stimulation, and travel opportunities.
It is often said that, however, that when you go abroad, the first stranger you meet is yourself. The expatriate life is riddled with layers of complexity. So, before embarking on the journey it is important to reflect on the range of factors that will impact the overall experience.
Who Is Going Abroad?
Some project managers head overseas on their own to seek out career opportunities. However, more commonly an employer asks a project manager to take on an assignment abroad. This year’s PMI Pulse of the Profession report cited several surveys indicating the importance of investment and expansion into emerging markets. This could potentially lead to more projects for organizations, and the need to send more project managers to these regions.
The industries below are showing the highest percentages of international assignment growth overall. Therefore, they may provide interesting opportunities for those project managers looking for prospects overseas:
| Industry | % of companies reporting increases in international assignments |
| Transport/Auto | 80% |
| Construction / Engineering | 79% |
| Information Technology | 71% |
| Consumer Products | 67% |
Source: Brookfield Global Relocation Services 2013 Relocation Trends Report
It’s not necessarily a requirement to have previous international working experience in order to get one of these assignments.
Companies report that only 22% of the employees that they send on overseas assignment have previous international assignment experience. Employers often look at other factors such as an expressed willingness to complete an international assignment, a specific skill set needed, or cultural or language skills relevant to the region. It is important, though, to set expectations accordingly. It is rare for companies to send new hires directly abroad; 89% of companies surveyed said that they send current, rather than new, employees.
All sorts of people, at varying personal and professional stages, decide to take postings overseas. While there is no “typical” expatriate profile, the same survey cited above has found that:
- 65% are married
- 43% have kids accompanying them
- 23% are female
- 38% are 30–39 years old; 33% are 40–49 years old
Should I Go?
Before heading overseas, there are many questions to ask. Here are some professional and personal factors to consider when starting the decision making process:
| Professional Factor | Questions to Ask |
| Local in-country challenges |
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| Attainability of objectives |
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| Company support |
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| Future roles after the assignment |
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| Personal Factor | Questions to Ask |
| Integration into local cultural environment |
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| Family and friendship |
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| Foreign language |
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| Impact on children |
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| Financial |
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| Safety |
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| Medical |
|
Conclusion
The expatriate life can be tremendously rewarding. On a professional level, it provides project managers with opportunities to be exposed to different national cultures, to adapt to diverse work environments, and to gain a broader perspective on the company’s business. However, it is not for every project manager and the factors in the tables above should be considered in personal context. Luckily, the global nature of projects today coupled with technology, allows many of us to work in an international environment without leaving home on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. When contemplating this type of major career decision, keep this in mind: a love of travel is not the same as a love of living abroad.
