I'm from Brazil and I need advice.

[Isaac Moreira]

Hi guys,

So, I'm not a beginner. I almost completed my degree in Electrical Engineering here in Brazil in a very respectable institution. I had to drop out due to financial problems  . I spent the last 7 years working in another industry and started a business.

My country is currently in deep shit due to its political chaos...  ... my business was too vulnerable to inflation and failed. I'm unemployed just like millions here.

I'm 30 now, I was able to save some cash (not much), and I feel that this is like my second chance at engineering.

I never stopped fiddling with electronics, I program in C, C++ and I'm now learning Python, had experience with the PIC16F Family, PCB design in Altium and I'm now learning how to mess with STM32, Free RTOS and all the STM32 toolchain.

So, I'm trying to get back in the game. Do I really need a degree to work with electronics with companies abroad? I'd really love to work with embedded programming and I feel that I could do it, and It would really be ideal if I didn't need to redo all my degree (5 years).

FYI - I'm not saying that a degree is not important and that It's irrelevant. I just need to work. you know? Even If I have to go back to class (which I’m currently looking forward to), I need to have a job and it would be nice if it were a remote job in embedded programming.

[janoc]

Degree? Not really. It is kinda expected that you would have one for certain roles but it is by no means a hard requirement, especially for more senior people with a lot of experience. What matters more is whether you can document your experience and can prove that you have the skills needed.

However, without a degree you will have a hard time to get through HR/staffing agencies filter that only look for keywords, so getting an actual interview could be tricky.

You being from Brazil doesn't help there either. Nothing to do with Brazil as such but the fact that you would need to relocate would make many companies think hard and twice about hiring you - "Does this guy really really REALLY have what we need since we would likely have to wait months for him to relocate, sponsor his work/residence permit and pay for his relocation package?" That's a tough sell even for exceptional candidates with a ton of experience.

This is a hard problem - been there myself, even though I have been only moving between European countries.

I would say your best bet would be moving with the idea of starting your own business if you can do it. That usually makes stuff like work/residence permits much easier.

[Bicurico]

In Portugal, which is the prime EU country for Brazilians, you won't get far without a formal engineering degree.

But even if you get one in Brazil, it won't be recognized in Portugal and you will have to go through a difficult process to get an equivalence.

Of course you might find a job without a degree, but you will earn less and your promotions won't happen.

Having a degree is the entry to higher positions. It shows that you were able to learn difficult subjects and is prove that you finish what you start.

Boa sorte!

[Isaac Moreira]

You being from Brazil doesn't help there either. Nothing to do with Brazil as such but the fact that you would need to relocate would make many companies think hard and twice about hiring you - "Does this guy really really REALLY have what we need since we would likely have to wait months for him to relocate, sponsor his work/residence permit and pay for his relocation package?" That's a tough sell even for exceptional candidates with a ton of experience.

In Portugal, which is the prime EU country for Brazilians, you won't get far without a formal engineering degree.

But even if you get one in Brazil, it won't be recognized in Portugal and you will have to go through a difficult process to get an equivalence.

Of course you might find a job without a degree, but you will earn less and your promotions won't happen.

Having a degree is the entry to higher positions. It shows that you were able to learn difficult subjects and is prove that you finish what you start.

I'm aware... I'm mostly looking for something while I can get my degree. Working and studying at the same time, but I can't stop working. Remote would be best...

There is the possibility of getting out of this hell hole. I mean, I love my country, the people and all that, but it's not a very fertile ground to work with technology, you know? My state had 2 companies that worked with embedded systems. One of them was bought by Schneider Electric and, again, due to the huge gaping hole in the economy, is closing. The other one is a Chinese Electrical Smart power meter company that , even though it offers positions in embedded software engineering, it is mostly for maintenance and is currently full of interns from the old college I studied at. No technology is created here, all comes from China.

Everyone seems to move abroad once they graduate. No real opportunities here. 

I would say your best bet would be moving with the idea of starting your own business if you can do it. That usually makes stuff like work/residence permits much easier.

I have business experience and It would be possible financially, depending on the country…

[Mechatrommer]

if people ask to choose work or degree... most people will choose work... with argument, have work no degree is better than have degree no work... i would say grab both. esp degree, its once chance in lifetime, esp since you already almost finished, it will be a wastefo what you already went through and paid. find part time job to finance if you have to, study during the day, bartender during the night or whatever part time job you can find easy. work will come later guaranteed and broader opportunity if you have the scroll, ymmv.

[brucehoult]

Do I really need a degree to work with electronics with companies abroad? I'd really love to work with embedded programming and I feel that I could do it, and It would really be ideal if I didn't need to redo all my degree (5 years).

For designing hardware, I don't know. For designing commercial products, maybe *someone* in the team needs a professional engineering degree.

For embedded programming? No, you don't need a degree. Some kind of portfolio of projects on github, blog posts, something like this, is much more valuable for getting a job than a degree. You don't need a degree to get a job.

Sadly, what you DO need a degree for is to get a work visa for another country.

I have just a three year bachelor's degree. With this I have been able to get visas to work in USA (H-1B, one in 2001, one in 2019) and Russia ("Highly Skilled Specialist", 2015-2018).

I didn't need a degree to get any of those (programming) jobs. I don't think anyone has ever even asked me if I have a degree, except for government forms.

[Isaac Moreira]

Sadly, what you DO need a degree for is to get a work visa for another country.

I have just a three year bachelor's degree. With this I have been able to get visas to work in USA (H-1B, one in 2001, one in 2019) and Russia ("Highly Skilled Specialist", 2015-2018).

Yep, I'm aware... The thing is to be able to get jobs without it in the short term, while getting my degree, you know? Or even work remote for a while.

Guys, I appreciate the answers. Really, thanks for taking the time. You all gave me much to think about and consider.

I’m learning towards working more on my portfolio for a bit since I have some savings. In the meanwhile, I’ll look for a degree in an institution abroad that fits my pocket (any suggestions?), make all the necessary planning and try to move. I’m not opposed to working a night shift or something, as long as I’m able to pursue my dream of working with electronics…

[tszaboo]

The company I worked for about 10 years ago had a Brazilian guy working there as a service engineer, without a degree I think. Its board repair, on site installation of big machinery, lot's of travel. Often times to exotic locations. Not a bad job if you ask me.

[voltsandjolts]

Don't know where you are in Brazil but recently I noticed Halliburton advertising for STM32 / Keil MDK firmware engineer to be based in Rio de Janeiro. Maybe try searching for other companies based in the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Technology Park, located at Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro. I'm sure there are many more companies doing electronic work in the centres of population of Brazil, finding more companies gives you more options. Finding a good employer who would be willing to help you complete your degree would be nice. I wish you good luck.

[Grandchuck]

"I'm mostly looking for something while I can get my degree. Working and studying at the same time, but I can't stop working."

Given the above, have you looked into smaller companies?  They are more often amenable to folks with practical experience.  Plus the fact that you have almost completed a degree is in your favor.

You are going about this in the right way ... keep earning while you complete your studies.  Good luck

[Isaac Moreira]

Don't know where you are in Brazil but recently I noticed Halliburton advertising for STM32 / Keil MDK firmware engineer to be based in Rio de Janeiro. Maybe try searching for other companies based in the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Technology Park, located at Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro. I'm sure there are many more companies doing electronic work in the centres of population of Brazil, finding more companies gives you more options. Finding a good employer who would be willing to help you complete your degree would be nice. I wish you good luck.

I'm from Fortaleza, in the state of Ceará. I looked for Halliburton and yep, there is one position there. I was thinking about moving to São Paulo (for those of you who don't know Brazil, it's like our New York, but with more people. It's where the financial sector is mostly located, etc). I lived there for 1 year and loved it. It's an option!

The company I worked for about 10 years ago had a Brazilian guy working there as a service engineer, without a degree I think. Its board repair, on site installation of big machinery, lot's of travel. Often times to exotic locations. Not a bad job if you ask me.

Not a bad job indeed.

Given the above, have you looked into smaller companies?  They are more often amenable to folks with practical experience.  Plus the fact that you have almost completed a degree is in your favor.

You are going about this in the right way ... keep earning while you complete your studies.  Good luck

Thanks man, appreciate it!


Again, thanks, guys.

[bidrohini]

A degree is not a must. I think you try for remote jobs. Face a few online exams and interviews for jobs. Then you will know what else you need to learn or improve.

[dietert1]

Not shure, whether "embedded" is enough. I mean nowadays everybody works with computers.
Experience in a certain "real" section of economy may also help to decide. When i finished with a physics degree long time ago, i had a similar problem. Who sponsors scientists? Finally i ended up working with medical electronics as a freelancer. Other physicists end up in weapons development, so i am happy that didn't happen to me.
Remember visiting a company in Sao Paulo working with pulse oximetry, too. As far as i remember the chief engineer was a Korean and they explained something about the special trade zone of Manaus and buying cheap from US companies. Little or no development in Brazil. One needs to find a sponsor/investor again, there is enough money around.
Last week my wife signed a contract for a photovoltaic installation on our roof in Sao Paulo. Price is a small fraction of what we paid 2008 in Germany and the brasilian sun is better. The company is called LEDGold. Guess what, their LED lamps and everything else all from China. Each kit includes two large panels and one DC to AC converter and they even provide wireless supervision by celular.

Regards, Dieter