Is Cambodia a career killer?

[Felgerkarb]

The moment you want a job back in the west, requiring a (high) security clearance, forget it.

Such a security clearance will fail on the fact, you have been living for more then 3 months in a country where your local NSA equivalent won't exchange information with (and as such will not be able to obtain security relevant information about you).

As such, you will have a "gap" of 3+ months in your security history, which precludes you from obtaining the required security clearance. Job unreachable ....

This aspect is a pita for pilots flying in the middle east for one of the big middle east carriers. Because of the totalitarian and human rights violating regimes around there, these people have big problems to obtain a flying job outside the sandbox in a more civilized world for a western carrier, requiring a security clearance. It's not entirely impossible, though very difficult.

Untrue. 25 years here and always maintained a clearance. In fact, I still have one...although it expires soon and I am unwilling to pay to keep it active anymore. Big bucks contracts here are gone like the dodo bird.

[Advocatus Diaboli]

Just remember, before you leave Cambodia get a criminal record check done by the ministry of justice. They can be difficult and expensive to acquire once outside Cambodia.

I don't understand ! Why would you do that ? What is a paper issued by a known pack of corrupt criminals worth ?

[Kachang]

Just remember, before you leave Cambodia get a criminal record check done by the ministry of justice. They can be difficult and expensive to acquire once outside Cambodia.

I don't understand ! Why would you do that ? What is a paper issued by a known pack of corrupt criminals worth ?

Because if you do not have one you will be turned down for loads of jobs, if you have one they just might accept it.

[Advocatus Diaboli]

Because if you do not have one you will be turned down for loads of jobs, if you have one they just might accept it.

Hmmm...maybe you are right....probably depends on your your country anyway. In Europe I'd say they wouldn't give a shit, but if you tell a potential employer anywhere in Europe that you have been living in Cambodia for 5, 10 or 15 years they are just going to laugh their asses off.....and that's the reason why don't get the job.

[Walter White]

Because if you do not have one you will be turned down for loads of jobs, if you have one they just might accept it.

Hmmm...maybe you are right....probably depends on your your country anyway. In Europe I'd say they wouldn't give a shit, but if you tell a potential employer anywhere in Europe that you have been living in Cambodia for 5, 10 or 15 years they are just going to laugh their asses off.....and that's the reason why don't get the job.

Yep. No HR department at a Fortune 500 is going to take you very seriously after several years of spotty contract work in a third-world country. A good paying corporate gig in Cambodia could enhance a resume, but coming here, taking a cut in pay and limiting your options for advancement would be pure poison to a candidate for a full-time job at a large corporation in the States or Europe.

[Jock Jock]

BARMY ARMY

[v12]

The moment you want a job back in the west, requiring a (high) security clearance, forget it.

Such a security clearance will fail on the fact, you have been living for more then 3 months in a country where your local NSA equivalent won't exchange information with (and as such will not be able to obtain security relevant information about you).

As such, you will have a "gap" of 3+ months in your security history, which precludes you from obtaining the required security clearance. Job unreachable ....

This aspect is a pita for pilots flying in the middle east for one of the big middle east carriers. Because of the totalitarian and human rights violating regimes around there, these people have big problems to obtain a flying job outside the sandbox in a more civilized world for a western carrier, requiring a security clearance. It's not entirely impossible, though very difficult.

Untrue. 25 years here and always maintained a clearance. In fact, I still have one...although it expires soon and I am unwilling to pay to keep it active anymore. Big bucks contracts here are gone like the dodo bird.

Might be depending on your country of origin, the type of clearance and maybe even increased requirements since a couple of years.

What I refer to is a clearance for confidential/classified police, government, military, intelligence or secret services in Western Europe. The kind of clearance which costs $5K-25K to run through. Having a partner from a country, where background checks can not be done (Asia, Africa, ME) will get you the clearance denied (or taken away, the moment they find out about your changed situation).
I don't refer to the entry-level clearances for sensitive jobs in the social services area.

Same, same what WW refers to: The moment you have done more then 1-2 years in Asia in bottom line jobs, don't expect the fortune 500(0) to be interested in you, especially, when you are over 30.

[v12]

The moment you want a job back in the west, requiring a (high) security clearance, forget it.

Such a security clearance will fail on the fact, you have been living for more then 3 months in a country where your local NSA equivalent won't exchange information with (and as such will not be able to obtain security relevant information about you).

As such, you will have a "gap" of 3+ months in your security history, which precludes you from obtaining the required security clearance. Job unreachable ....

This aspect is a pita for pilots flying in the middle east for one of the big middle east carriers. Because of the totalitarian and human rights violating regimes around there, these people have big problems to obtain a flying job outside the sandbox in a more civilized world for a western carrier, requiring a security clearance. It's not entirely impossible, though very difficult.

What's your country of citizenship, if you don't mind me asking? Curious, to be honest, as I'm not quite agreeing with you. Or are you taking aviation specific, or general national-level clearances? TS/SBI, etc.?

Danke,

GBH

Western Europe. It does apply for all jobs, where you are put under a magnifying glass. For airline people, you won't get your clearance to be allowed unaccompanied air-side at an airport, where ever in the world, especially western. That's the moment you won't get another flying job at a major or even a western regional.

[ca&tw]

Is cambodia a career killer?
In my, for once humble opinion, yes, as a matter of fact i think it is. It's like writing on your CV i worked 3 years in Mali watching desert goats mate. Cambodia is stigmatized and will remain so for a long time.
Unless you're achieving something unique that's gonna make it to CNN, i think you've wasted possibly valuable time here.

Take a guy like AIA, not too ambitious, apparently happily married for quite a few years, you'd think it was the right choice.

What is a career anyways? Think about it

[Prahocprahoc]

The moment you want a job back in the west, requiring a (high) security clearance, forget it.

Such a security clearance will fail on the fact, you have been living for more then 3 months in a country where your local NSA equivalent won't exchange information with (and as such will not be able to obtain security relevant information about you).

As such, you will have a "gap" of 3+ months in your security history, which precludes you from obtaining the required security clearance. Job unreachable ....

This aspect is a pita for pilots flying in the middle east for one of the big middle east carriers. Because of the totalitarian and human rights violating regimes around there, these people have big problems to obtain a flying job outside the sandbox in a more civilized world for a western carrier, requiring a security clearance. It's not entirely impossible, though very difficult.

What's your country of citizenship, if you don't mind me asking? Curious, to be honest, as I'm not quite agreeing with you. Or are you taking aviation specific, or general national-level clearances? TS/SBI, etc.?

Danke,

GBH

Western Europe. It does apply for all jobs, where you are put under a magnifying glass. For airline people, you won't get your clearance to be allowed unaccompanied air-side at an airport, where ever in the world, especially western. That's the moment you won't get another flying job at a major or even a western regional.

I lived in Cambodia for ten years and now work for an airline in the U.S. They told me when they hired me the background check might take longer than normal. It only took about 4 days. I didn't have to have any police check from Cambodia. I have more access to the airport than pilots do and often have to escort them around the secure areas. I was surprised the process was so easy.

[Felgerkarb]

The moment you want a job back in the west, requiring a (high) security clearance, forget it.

Such a security clearance will fail on the fact, you have been living for more then 3 months in a country where your local NSA equivalent won't exchange information with (and as such will not be able to obtain security relevant information about you).

As such, you will have a "gap" of 3+ months in your security history, which precludes you from obtaining the required security clearance. Job unreachable ....

This aspect is a pita for pilots flying in the middle east for one of the big middle east carriers. Because of the totalitarian and human rights violating regimes around there, these people have big problems to obtain a flying job outside the sandbox in a more civilized world for a western carrier, requiring a security clearance. It's not entirely impossible, though very difficult.

Untrue. 25 years here and always maintained a clearance. In fact, I still have one...although it expires soon and I am unwilling to pay to keep it active anymore. Big bucks contracts here are gone like the dodo bird.

Might be depending on your country of origin, the type of clearance and maybe even increased requirements since a couple of years.

What I refer to is a clearance for confidential/classified police, government, military, intelligence or secret services in Western Europe. The kind of clearance which costs $5K-25K to run through. Having a partner from a country, where background checks can not be done (Asia, Africa, ME) will get you the clearance denied (or taken away, the moment they find out about your changed situation).
I don't refer to the entry-level clearances for sensitive jobs in the social services area.

Same, same what WW refers to: The moment you have done more then 1-2 years in Asia in bottom line jobs, don't expect the fortune 500(0) to be interested in you, especially, when you are over 30.

I agree with your job points, but not on your clearance points.

[air stone]

Sure am glad I was smart enough to make my own way in the world when I hear about the kind of shit you wage slaves go through for the "privilege" of working. Do they look up your asshole at the job interview too?

[Kachang]

Sure am glad I was smart enough to make my own way in the world when I hear about the kind of shit you wage slaves go through for the "privilege" of working. Do they look up your asshole at the job interview too?

Welcome back Air Stone.

Has been a while.... Been busy?

[john_q_public]

In my opinion, if you came to Cambodia as a young electronics engineer doing analog microchip design, you would not be able to build a career.

Ninety percent (or more) of the chip design is done in the West. There would be no one to learn from in Cambodia. There are no facilities and no equipment. There are no companies in Cambodia which do such work.

Better to stay in Silicon Valley until you retire if you want to design Silicon microchips.

There is manufacturing in Asia, but not much chip design (some in Singapore, Japan, and South Korea).

I don't know, but I would guess it would be difficult to develop a law career, a medical career, etc. out here.