Men only: Would you work in Yemen for an American firm?
 

I have a chance to go to Yemen working for an American company. I know many people will say "Well, if the pay was good enough then yes" but because 'good enough pay' is a relative term, let's just say that the money will be twice what I am making now and $12,000 per year more than my most money making year. It is 5 weeks on, 5 weeks off.

As far as danger goes, there will be little of on the job itself. The dangerous part, if there is one, will be in travelling to and from the country and, after I arrive in the country, travelling to the jobsite. The jobsite itself is extremely secure.

I said 'men only' because women will have other reasons for not wanting to go there.

Would I? No. But that is because of my individual circumstances. I'm a single parent, my ex-wife has no involvement in the kids lives, so the kids need me here (they're 12 and 9). If i were in different circumstances, I would in in a heartbeat.

I agree that it depends on circumstances. Were I single and did not have anyone depending on me, I would certainly do it.

I'd agree with mr psycho, if I was not married with children, and the security was better (much better) than iraq I would do it. Adventure and you get paid, Sounds like a nice learning experience.

Yeen aint that bad as far as terror against americans in general goes. Plus I've been there and you might enjoy it. Five on five off you can come homw for that they pay you. Its an awesome opportunity I would take it.

I would not go for $12k more than my "highest grossing" year. Though the risks aren't as huge as taking a job in Iraq, I wouldn't choose to be half-way across the world from my wife for that amount of money. I would either have to make enough so that she could come with (and that would trigger a whole other thought process about her safety, so I'd have to do more research into the climate of Yeman, and know details about the housing available for me there), or have a way to arrange regular visits, which would be expensive.

If that job would play a significant role in my CV, and would open some new doors to highier positions in the future, sure. If it's a "fast buck" option, then I wouldn't risk my own butt.

I would. My dad moved us to Saudi Arabia just before the first Gulf War and we stayed there until well after it ended. Our city was attacked, we were evacuated, my dad had to live out in the desert in tents for a few months while the worst of the war was happening. I understand that the situation is far worse for Americans there than it was fifteen years ago but my parents managed to make, and save, a lot of money - money which they still have to this day. My whole family is richer for the experience to this day, in more ways than one.

I think it's the chance of a lifetime and I'd go for it.

Well, that's why it's relative. $12K more than my highest grossing year is a helluva lot of money, especially when you consider that I worked 12 months during my higfhest grossing year and will be working 6 months a year at this job.

I have pretty much made up my mind. I'm going.

Damn, now I have to learn a bit of arabic :hmm:

Shit yeah, I'd do it.

Sounds like you're going to live and work at a secure jobsite. I'd take it, assuming I had no strings at home. I'd also check the transportation arrangements: being met at the airport by bodyguards and a secure limo or bus = good. Getting your own taxi from the airport = bad.

mcduffie if u want help with the arabic, ill teach ya! :D

my brother is going there in a few months. the accomodation and living expenses is cheap as chips! living standards are not as high as western countries, so dont expect too much!

Only if I was running away from Janice.

(i really hope somebody gets the refrence, and I'm not that much of a loser)

Well... I got the reference... however...

I'm female so my opinion doesn't count... but you might also want to check out the tax situation if you work overseas...

Heck I'd go... sounds like a great opportunity.

If the pay was high enough I'd go without hesitation...

I'm currently single and I have no kids. I could use the money for investing and providing for my future retirement. Also, the money I earned there could go towards financing my future children's college education.

And finally, since I'm single and childless it's not like a whole lot of people would be terribly affected if something were to happen to me (other than my parents).

I'd do it for sure. In fact, can I go too?

Wait, let me get this straight...

You'd be working on the other side of the world.
For twice what your making now.
With 5 week vacations every 5 weeks.

If it weren't for the language barrier, it'd be perfect. Other than that, go for it.

Hey, are they hiring? :)

Well, factored in my decision is that this year will be my highest grossing year, and every year since 1998 I've made more the following year. A $12k raise for me would probably be around a 15-20% raise. While good, that isn't enough for me to go halfway across the country. Just my personal $.02. :)

Can you tell us what the job is/involves?

i'd do it...
single, no kids or anything... always wanted to see some of the world...

If I were single, I'd go. Yemen is the only democracy in the region, so politically, I'd want to help them out and if I were in the posters situation in terms of the money involved, sounds like a great deal.

As an aside, my first wife lived in Saudi for a while in the 80s while her dad did telecommunications work - I think she had mixed feelings about it, but they were living basically in a foreign enclave with little direct contact with mainstream Saudi.

Being Jewish, I'd not go there for any money.

I'd go. It'll be an experience that you'll remember for the rest of your life.

I'd love to go. Get to a new place, get paid to do it.

'course, i don't have too many ties back here at home.

I'd definitely do it. I'm single and have no kids, so I'd invest a little of the extra so I could be a bit more comfortable later on. It doesn't sound like there's much anti-American terrorism in Yemen, so that wouldn't be an issue with me.