Ultimate Outsourcing: Americans Abroad

It's being called the ultimate outsourcing: Americans looking for jobs overseas. With IBM's recent announcement of Project Match -- in which the company actively encourages employees to take their pink slips and apply for jobs in China, India and Brazil -- more companies are sure to follow suit.

Some people are outraged. Some are scared. Others who understand the value are supportive. To be sure, today's current economic climate is a serious force to be reckoned with. But rather than curse the storm clouds overhead, American workers would be well-advised to see this challenging moment as an opportunity to reap the rewards that others have for decades: By looking beyond their own borders to gain valuable experience overseas.

Make no mistake about it: American intellectual capital is still considered the best in the world, which is why IBM and other companies are willing to incur the expense of sending their people overseas. Those that accept will be rewarded with more than just a roof over their head and a weekly paycheck. The extraordinary personal and professional growth that takes place when living in a foreign culture can be cashed in on future career opportunities -- like when the U.S. economy rebounds and companies need employees who can operate effectively in the international marketplace. When that happy day finally comes, those who have proven that they know how to work across cultures will be prized commodities.

And working abroad does not only mean working for American companies. There are hundreds of large, foreign companies that offer tremendous opportunities. This role reversal may seem scary, but it reflects the future of global commerce. Now is not the time to be afraid of the global marketplace but to embrace it.

Yet picking up and moving yourself and your family to a strange new land is a daunting proposition. Americans must be able to adapt to succeed and, with a bit of caution and a lot of research, many will take the deep dive.

And yes, you can do it even if you're married -- I was -- and have children. And trust me, you'll be doing your children a favor: by the time they enter the workforce, a global mindset will be expected.

Last but certainly not least, living overseas can be fun, interesting and exciting.

So if your employer offers you the opportunity to work abroad, be it as part of a promotion or an "or else" proposition, think twice before you say "no." Not only might it be the best offer you're going to get -- it's probably a whole lot better an offer than you think it is. And who knows? It just might be the best career move you ever made.

Check out: www.getaheadbygoingabroad.com

Comments

[zukervati]

I agree, I'd be excited about my daughter or son finding a respectable job overseas. However, I have a fundamental problem with true outsourcing of our resources - not just the job, but outsourcing the person along with it - ala IBM's recent offer to its employees. What happens to the communities here at home? The "outsourced" person may have a job and may live abroad just fine, but who's going to go to the local restaurant, movie theater, shops, malls, etc. to ensure that some of the discretionary income is spent within the USA and is taxed appropriately?

[KillTheMessenger]

I fully agree. If you get the chance TAKE IT!

[Horst]

Trouble is most Americans don't speak any foreign languages, rather limits your options.

[netzwerg]

I escaped the US to work in Europe 6 years ago. Best thing I ever did, here I have way better quality of living, higher salary than I had in the US, universal healthcare, way better education for my kids, 6 weeks of paid vacation a year, social security, basically no crime here, ...

Living abroad makes you realize how far the US has fallen behind.

[MrTruth321]

Realizing the problem is the FIRST STEP towards solving it.

You have realized it.

[waltn]

"...reflects the future of global commerce." according to who? The American corporation that has outsourced the middle class and with it, the American family. I won't move my family to a third world country for anything. I am an American citizen who has earned the right to a job in my country. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America... [not Japan, not India, and not China] with liberty and justice for all."

[drymartini1]

There is NO RIGHT TO JOB. what a ridiculous statement !! When you are working for IBM whether here or in India or Japan or timbuktu,
you are working for IBM. your allegiance is to IBM. not to US.

[hey0there]

Great article, I have been learning Japanese for several months now as I hope to find a position over there once i've mastered the reading/writing. I think being bilingual is a big plus for anyone's resume no matter what you are applying for.

[MrTruth321]

Japan has an aging population. Foreigners will be needed big time there.

[robin50]

Yeah, when you are young, dumb, and adventerous fine. Like when I did it. But what happens when you have aging parents whose health is failing along with their mind? Or worse yet, you have a sick or special needs child? You have a home, that even if it is paid for is still a white elephant on your back if wanting to sell it now. It's not as easy or as practical as it sounds. If you're a middle age plus employee you also have roots, friends or possibly an extended family where you live. These are ties you hope to have and enjoy as you grow old.

But what's a community? And with your attitude, nothing. And with cooperate America attitudes the same, there won't be any in this country. No tax base to build or substain highways or schools. Yeah, let's do that, turn Americia into one huge wasteland.

[Stacie Nevadomski Berdan - Huffpost Blogger]

Although working abroad may be easier for younger people with less strings, it certainly can be done by mid-career professionals. In the research I conducted 40% were mid-career. Yet I appreciate that situations such as the ones you mention make moving overseas difficult if not impossible. In fact, I returned from Hong Kong because my in-laws were aging and needed our support.
I do take issue, however, with two of your points. First, community is where and what one makes of it. Friends aren't lost because of a move. Change can be very good. Moreover, with the global economy here, Americans must be able to compete in the global marketplace; working in another country helps. For many, our communities are both local and international, having made many friends here and abroad.
Second, the USA is the only country that taxes its citizens when they work OUTSIDE the country. There's a minimum but taxes are collected, have no fear. The more important point is that the income being earned outside the US is earned by Americans. It's beneficial for the US -- not the opposite.
I hope that your time abroad was enriching and rewarding. All the people I know who have lived overseas consider it one of the most important times in their lives -- and recommend anyone interested in broadening their horizons to do it.

[KillTheMessenger]

"Yeah, when you are young, dumb, and adventerous fine. Like when I did it."

I am not sure you have quite outgrown that attitude...

Anyway, we have plenty of friends who live abroad, just like us. They made the deliberate decision to do so and they are enjoying themselves. You can always go back, if you want to, but few ever do. It's more interesting to go forward.

Sick and special needs children will get a lot better care in Europe than they can ever expect in the US. Many of the people I know never sold their homes. They have tenants living in them and it works out fine financially. If you have "roots" (I don't even know what that means), you are joining the wrong discussion. This one is only for people who want options and can handle it when they get them.

"These are ties you hope to have and enjoy as you grow old."

We have ties where we live now. Ties that don't bind, that is. If you need the other kind, well, 99.9% of mankind are with you in that same boat. Enjoy.

"But what's a community? And with your attitude, nothing."

A community is when people are positive. So if your community is like you present yourself in this post, I would be glad not to join it. Sounds like a bunch of downers.