Planning to come Study, Work and Live in Poland. Securing a job and residency after graduation?

Hello Guys :)

I am studying Petroleum Engineering in Malaysia but I want to change my career to Computer Science. One of my friends advised me to go to Poland since it's a cheap country and that I will be able to secure a job after I graduate. I have a good command of English and Arabic and I am willing to learn German and Polish.

What do you think ? is it easy to secure a job after graduation ? is it easy to get residency? I really need help as I am very confused.

I wonder where your friend is currently located because as far as I know Malaysia is definitely cheaper than Poland (especially rent and grocery prices). Plus the language barrier. I'd personally stick to your original major (petroleum engineering) because even in Poland you'd probably have more career opportunities in this field than in computer science (this field is pretty strong in Poland, but there are also many who study it). Your Arabic language / contact could help and with computer science you'd just be one of a hundred to get a good job in this common field.

@Nathans Thanks for the reply :)


Which field do you mean?

So what do you advise me to do? Should I come to Poland or stay in Malaysia?

It's impossible to know your situation, but if I were you I would stay in the petroleum field and try Poland. I'd focus on your biggest advantages which are still unique in Poland (ie. oil/petroleum industry knowledge and perfect Arabic language skills). You won't find many people to compete with you and there IS a reasonable oil market in Poland: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_industry_in_Poland. All the companies listed there are your potential employers and as far as I can tell they are doing very well (they sponsor a lot of costly sports or TV events etc. in Poland).

I'm sure these companies do business with countries like Malaysia every day and they must have people who speak Arabic. You could contact them and start a job even from the lowest position, then you could become a salesman, heck - even a Polish-Arabic translator :). If not Poland then countries like Germany, Sweden, or Norway. Once you get Polish residency, you can live and work in any other EU country. But first I'd advise you to finish school in Malaysia to get at least a Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering. With such a diploma in your pocket and with English/Arabic language skills you will find a good job in Poland or other EU country.

The problem is I still have more 4 years in Malaysia, but if I come to Poland they'll be only 3

Do you have any good petroleum engineering unis in Poland ? and where are you from? :D

It's also about perception and focus. Imagine a company producing cigars in Poland - who would they more likely hire: a graduate from Cuba or a graduate from Poland? To work with the best, they would hire the one from Cuba (hoping he has cigar industry in a small finger ;). Same with your specialization. In addition, if you plan to go to Europe, I'd focus on majoring in Hydraulic Fracturing; it is becoming increasingly popular in Europe, so you could win a jackpot when you're in the right place and in the right time. 4 vs. 3 is only 1 year difference, and it's doubtful you'd only need 3 years considering the fact it may take you some time (it could even be a year) to adapt to live in the new country. There will be 30 graduates from a Polish university, but very few who have graduated from the same major in the oil country. In the meantime, you may meet a girl, fall in love, and not even finish 1 year of school ;).