I have been working for a CIVIL engineering firm since January of 1998. That makes it 6+ years. I am currently handling my own projects with the supervision of a PE. I have experience in design of projects ranging from Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer, Land Development, Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitations, San. Swr. Lift Stations, Water Lines, and some other structural projects. Out of all our company's engineering technicians, I have the most background in various design softwares, such as Autocad 14 to 2002, Eaglepoint Civil Series, and recently learned Autodesk Land Development. I can also use Microstation if need be.

I am not, however, a civil engineer. I am an Engineering Technician. I earned an Associates degree in Computer Drafting on December 1997. I am considered a Jr. Project Manager at our firm. I don't just do drafting, but also work with contract documents, specifications, correspondence letters, payment estimates, construction management, inspection, and other duties called to do.

Whew.... enough pep talk. As you can see, I am dead serious.
Don't get me wrong guys... I love my job and the company I work for. I just wish that they would open a branch there. hehehe..

WRXed, what do you suggest for me to do? Thanks in advance.

 

By the way, here's the photo of the WRX Sti my GF took while there.

 

If you want to stay on the design side of things, its really good that you have a lot of software background. Being a Jr. engineer (tech) isn't bad with the experience you have. You may have to start off again as a drafter and move your way up. You might want to ask your local ASCE chapter for some Hawaii contacts so you can start off by sending companies your resume.

Also, check the Honolulu Advertiser job website.
http://honoluluadvertiser.gannettonl...der/index.html

Best of luck!

 

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, the president of our local ASCE chapter is from our company. I'm trying to lay low on this issue.

Anyhow, I did what you suggested and looked at the honolulu advertiser. I found a company hiring with my experience and knowledge. But.... I'm not sure if they can provide me my financial needs. I've looked at some salary calculators online and with what I'm making now, it looks like I will need to make at least $60k to $62k a year there in Hawaii if I want to have the same type of living. If the cost of living wasn't so high there, I'd be willing to make minimum wage! Although if I do work for minimum wage, I probably won't be able to keep the WRX.... so let's scratch that option.

Hmmm.... I know what you mean by starting over and working my way up. That's one of the reason's why it's so hard for me to quit my job. I'll have to prove myself again.

But like I said, if the company who's willing to hire me can get close to my requested salary, then I wouldn't mind starting from the bottom.

Man.... dillema, dillema.

Also, roughly how much does a decent one bedroom apartment cost around there? One of our cab drivers, while we were there, said that a two bedroom costs around $700 - $800. That is roughly about the same here where I live. I'm paying $550 for a one bedroom. But the one bedrooms here ranges from $300 to $650. I just want a safer place for the WRX.

Any more info would be great. Thanks again.

 

Try this site for pricing some rentals.

http://www.hicentral.com/properties/...=1&type=rental

When you browse, you'll see that costs rise as you get closer to town. You might want to check out Imprezer's dilemma about moving here.

https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...threadid=51941

 

Brings up the same point we keep making, need a sticky about "Relocating to Oahu..." since this comes up time after time, also the "What to do on vacation on Oahu..." since the same info gets posted and reposted.

Back on subject I vacationed here so many times and too went away thinking I wanted to live here. After a year even if I had found a good job I would still relocate back to the mainland to Orange County. The rock fever is too much for me. I would rather visit here a couple times a year and then live somewhere where I could drive to different areas and all. Walking on the beach outside my Dads place on the north shore made me realize how much I will miss this place, but just not for us I guess. Maybe later in life, but there are too many places I want to see around the mainland and I gotta be able to actually drive somewhere when I need to get away. Just my .02 cents...

 

I completely understand what you mean. There are alot of places I still want to visit here in the mainland. However, I was actually born in the Philippines and came here at a very early age. The only real memories I have of my homeland are the beaches where I spent my summer vacation every year. Being raised in the mainland, I've almost forgotten those memories. Until I visited Hawaii last week, I've never felt more at home. It gave me that feeling that I just belong. While there in Hawaii, I often felt like I was at home once again. Maybe it's just me, or maybe I need to visit there again to really see if it's really for me.

DaveWRX, I've read your previous post before you moved down there. Now that you're there, how is it really? The places that you want to go to here in the mainland, can't you just take a vacation to go to them? What I really want to know is how everyday life is at Hawaii?

Ofcourse, before I even think about moving there... I would need to secure a job and a place to stay first.

I think I'll keep track of Imprezer's posts as he is also planning on moving there. Lucky for him though, he already has a job offer.

Anyway, thanks for the comments guys.... keep 'em comin'.
Whether it be to sway me from moving there, or to convince me to moving there, I'll be happy to hear everyone's opinions. Mahalo!

 

It's a GREAT place to raise a family - if you can afford it.

It's a TERRIBLE place to try and "make it on your own" if you're a working class stiff like me.
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Thanks for the advice Richard. If you don't mind me asking, what exactly do you do? and how much salary does a single guy need to make and still live comfortably to live out there? ofcrouse still able to make payments on the WRX .

Also, I am not married and don't have any kids. I'm almost sure though that if I move there, my GF is sure to follow.

 

http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacif...09/story6.html

I'm Filipino too, and lived on the mainland most of my life. Having experienced racism first hand while growing up, it was a nice change to live in a place where the majority of people look like you. It was also pretty cool to see some Filipino influences woven into the local culture.

 

You're welcome.

Richie's salary advice is sound $40-45k is pretty good as a single guy to live on your own (rent) and have a new-ish car...

I don't know how they say the job outlook for computers is rosy - ask anybody in the IT field here and their answer will be different. Maybe the job outloo people know something I don't? I am partners in a company that does outsourced IT support, BTW. :-\
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Way to shed light on the topic fellas. Thanks.
I'm a Civil Engineering Technician here in Texas. $40k - $45k sounds pretty good to me. I currently make close to $45k here in a small town in Texas outside of Houston.

Hmmm.... I know that in Houston, I can probably find a job which could pay me around $50k - $55k. I wonder if any of the company's there in Hawaii can match that?

I looked at a salary calculator online and it claims that if I make $44k-$45k here where I live, I need to make $62k-$65k there in Hawaii to have the same buying power.

But from what you guys are saying, $40k-$45k is reasonable. Is that considering a decent apt/rent house to live in? and including a $438 WRX note? and all of life's other necessities to survive?

$40k-$45k, what part of Oahu is that considered to be a sufficient salary for a single 28 year old guy?

 

Palaban, thanks for the link... very interesting facts.

I could tell by your name that you're Filipino. You hit the spot with that comment. I completely agree. I live in Texas where it's redneck country. I tell ya.... the movies that you guys see depicting rednecks, I've seen the worst of them. Being an eng. tech., I often travel to rural areas to check on projects. You guys won't be able to imagine what I see here in Texas.

 

Hmm, $45k for a single guy to live here. I couldnt do it I dont think. I mean I guess $2k a month is liveable, but with how expensive it is here I just think you wouldnt be plugging much money into the bank account each month whereas earning that much here you should earn a lot more in the mainland. I was spoiled tho working in Boise, Idaho for a lot of money and was able to save more than I had ever thought I could.

Coming to Hawaii was due mainly to my dad retiring here from way out in the middle of the ocean and I wanted to see him since he is getting older. I didnt plan at all, just moved. If I had it to do over MAKE SURE you have a job, no other way around that. Been here over a year now and no work for that whole year. I got offers of $30k or so doing what I did on the mainland where I made 3x as much. I just couldnt see working and commuting for that salary. So we looked awhile longer and now of course have decided to move. My wife is a pharmacist and has to intern for a year before getting her full on license since she was licensed and worked in the Philippines for several years, but she was offered $14/hr here to intern and has tons of offers of $37/hr to intern in California. About the same cost of living from what we found, houses were seriously expensive where we decided to move to, but the pay more than makes up for that. I have several offers close to what I made before so it was an easy decision. And we can fly back a couple times a year to see my dad and he is going to fly our way as often as he can as well.

About the mainland sights I dont really like flying that much and I really just miss actually piling into a car and driving for hours/days and getting away. Just my personal opinion.

Is Hawaii a great place to live. Yes. I mean its awesome weather, friendly attitude and basic lifestyle are great. We swim in January, walk around in shorts year-round and complain of the cold when its like 70. I mean come on, who wouldnt love that. Its all about balancing quality of life and realizing how nice it is here with "usually" not making what you could elsewhere.

Its really up to you tho. Just ask a lot of questions, we are used to that, and then make up your mind. I would say if you have a job lined up dont be afraid to make the move. If you can live on a rock (good sized rock tho) make the move. You can always fly to the other islands for a break and the mainland is only 5 hours away too. Almost talking myself into staying now.

Good luck!

Dave

 

Very good advice Dave.

I say f**k it! Tomorrow, I'm gonna start revamping my Resume and then send it to as many companies as I can find.

I'll never really know unless I test the market right? So that's my first plan. See what companies out there has to offer. Then I'll decide if I wanna quit my job of 6+ years and start over at a different company.

So...... does anyone have any connections with Civil Engineering firms???


edit:
By the way, I'm not looking to rush this thing. I'd like to stay here maybe till the end of the year.