The school of life teaches us many important lessons. Including how to set yourself up for success as an expat. Before you hit the skies, take a few of these tips on board to ensure you will not only survive but thrive. To learn all the best secrets for expat success, we talked to our longstanding consultant Roland Canivet. Since 2017, we’ve had the good fortune to have Roland on our team who keeps delighting our clients and coming back for more.
How it all began.
From an early age, Roland looked to his father for inspiration. So naturally, he decided to follow a similar career path and became a welder in the metal industry. At 18 he started to work on various industrial sites across France. Joining a team of hard-hat guys to discover the work world felt like jumping in a cold swimming pool. A tough yet rewarding way to learn your job! Throughout his career, he’s learned some expert tips and here’s what he shared.
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Gain Experience.
Starting his career in France, Roland shifted from industrial welding to installation work. His curiosity compelled him to experiment with steel, carbon, aluminum, titanium. He learned to read and understand plans faster and better, serving as a vital link. “You need to visualise your next career goal to better pursue what comes next,” states Roland.
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Become an Expert.
What is the difference between expertise and experience? How you’ve been using your knowledge makes your experience. It’s easy to feel the desire to become an expat after graduation. Of course, the energy and feeling of freedom can double your potential. So can your strong experience. “I felt ready to expatriate when I was an expert in my own field,” shares Roland.
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Find Your Happy Place.
In 2012, Roland tasted expatriation in Gabon, the Congo and Malaysia. Preparing for major shutdowns and maintenance schedules in complex environments taught him a lot of valuable skills. When Easy Skill contacted him for an assignment in New Caledonia, he didn’t hesitate. “New Caledonia was the first time I stayed anywhere so long. I think I’ve finally found my happy place,” he states.
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Don’t let hard times bring you down.
Consultants typically take 11-month assignments, but Roland has continued on for 3 years. He’s our only consultant working on all 3 major mining sites in New Caledonia. He can be proud and so are we! Sometimes things shift suddenly, and his last assignment finished early. “It’s important to ride the waves and have support during tough times, like I did from my business manager,” confides Roland. Hardship brings us closer.
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Share your knowledge.
Roland has a passion for sharing his knowledge. “My lessons are based on my experience and will help people avoid making the same mistakes twice,” explains Roland. Infusing change and innovative approaches are always key. Now, Roland genuinely knows where to focus his energy to choose the battles that are worth fighting.
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Follow your heart.
Consultants rate work-life balance in their top 2 career goals. We know how it is essential to give space for your private life and fulfil personal dreams too. One thing is for sure. The people you’ll meet will become the fabric of your life. When you push yourself outside of your comfort zone, you’ll learn what you’re capable of and find the most authentic version of yourself. Surprise yourself!
Today Roland is happy to start his 3rd assignment with Easy Skill in New Caledonia. He’s even considering job openings to join the internal team. His loyalty and strong team spirit are highly appreciated and we’re excited to see what will come next!