Hey Everybody --- this is my big post!!!

I've been gearin' up for this post for a couple months now, it's the reason I joined in the first place...

I'm going to be graduating in April, at which time I'll have a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (that's if everything goes well... :P) and I have this big dream to live and work in Switzerland for a year...

I guess I really just need some guidance as to where the best place to look would be. And the types of papers that need to be filled out. List format would be great! I like lists! :P

When I was in Switzerland in the summer, a friend of mine told me that she knows of a program which is set up between a few countries (Canada being one of them) where we send a few recent graduates, and Switzerland sends a few recent graduates in a sort of exchange program, with certain stipulations such as a requirement that the job be related to what the member of the program went to school for.... Does that ring a bell for anyone? And if so is there a special work permit that applies to that program?

I have to touch up a resume soon, as I think it requires a few different things for these types of jobs...

In terms of English-speaking Engineering companies I have ABB, Alstom, and Paul Scherrer Institute --- is my best bet just to send a resume to these companies? And what title should I be applying for? Praktikum? Engineer-in-Training? Trainee?

I don't need a high paying job at all --- it's more the experience I'm looking for --- I'd like to spend the time in Switzerland regardless, to learn the language and get to know the people and the culture a little better (to be able to understand my future wife a little better... :P)

I don't have any previous engineering experience... I've done other things...

Help?

Welcome.

It all starts with a dream..good luck with yours!

I did a trainee program in 1997 something along the lines below...

http://www.swissemigration.ch/themen...x.html?lang=en

all the best, Oh and perseverence is the key!

:-)

Thanks a bunch!!!! That's exactly it!! And thanks for the encouragement!!!

It can, although I landed my job here with a British-style CV. If you do a search on the forum, there are heaps of posts on how to do your CV, including samples. You'll probably have all your questions answered there. =)

I wouldn't necessarily put in a title as you might get the rare chance to take a role that's got more responsibility than a trainee one. Just outline your education and experience (if any) in a covering letter and explain your goals for employment in Switzerland. Also, be sure to let them know why you're keen on them as a company.

So are you saying you have savings to support your move? If not, consider the likely salary you'll get and whether it can sustain you (search function has many threads on this topic too).

That can be great! Just be sure to outline in your CV how this experience is transferable to you being an asset at the company where you want to work.

G'luck from a fellow semi-Canadian. =)

Do note to change your Resume from the Canadian style to the Swiss-European style.

From my experiences (and a sick resume back home), the Canadian style is useless here.