Young software engineers return to Romania
The dream of the West was the first to set in, than the possibility of making more money than in Romania. For the young graduates this was the chance of a better life. And they tried.
Romania still faces a strong exodus of skilled labor towards more developed countries in Western Europe, North America and the Pacific region. The path these migrants take is not always one way. Many of them return to Romania not only because there is no better place than home but also due to the improving salaries, work environments and perspectives from Romanian software companies. These firms are already starting to resemble their Western counterparts in many respects.
There are 3 such young software engineers and a marketing specialist currently working at AROBS Transilvania Software. All of them returned to Romania after spending long periods of time in western countries. (n.n. Their true identities are concealed).
Sergiu started working at a multinational company in Hungary in 2000. For a fresh alumnus, a programming position for a big company and with a 1000 Euro monthly income was a dream come true. ” Conditions at work were obviously excellent and the salary exceeded my expectations, but some health problems forced me to return. To be honest, this was the drop that filled the glass. My wive's inability to adjust to living abroad and the lack of friends weighed heavily when making the final decision. Furthermore, the long term opportunities were low due to the difficulties faced by aliens seeking Hungarian citizenship. We felt as if we had not future there and therefore returned to Romania. As soon as I regained my health I got a job with AROBS Transilvania Software in 2003, where I feel real good”.
Victor returned to Romania as soon as he satisfied his curiosity. A had worked for a Hungarian branch of an Indian company for over a year. “ I do not know how special the work I did in Hungary was, but I was certainly impressed by the excellent manner in which the company was organized, by its multicultural nature and by the corporatist culture. Adjusting to the Hungarian environment has been easy for me as I was speaking Hungarian and had enough friends. Despite all these advantages I was disatisfied and decided to return to Romania. I might have not returned had I not found a company fitting my high expectations in Romania. But I found it. I had some friend in Cluj who knew what to recommend me. Since last year I have been working for AROBS Transilvania Software”, declared Victor.
Paul's experience is far richer both in geographic terms and experience-wise: he started in Hungary, then move to London, Paris, and also in Bangalore (India). In all, he has spent 4 years working for IT companies located abroad. “I wanted more stability, in the same place. I have invested in an apartment here and wished to settle down in Cluj. Some of my former colleagues recommended me to seek employment with AROBS. I followed their advise, got an offer from AROBS Transilvania and accepted it due to the nice work environment I found there", declared Paul.
Alexandru has spent almost 6 years in the United States, where he got an MBA and taught the "Hospitality Computer Applications" course at University of Massachusetts, Amherst for approximately 3 years. Like in Paul's case, a disease and alienation convinced him to return. "From a professional point of view the United States have offered me undreamed of opportunities. Working for UMASS Amherst has been highly rewarding from all points of view. Salaries in the American academia were almost 10 times higher than those in Romania. As many dreams, mine has also ended abruptly, when an American physician's ignorance brought me to the brink of despair. The treatment he put me on for a common and easily curable disease triggered an incurable one. My only chance of survival was Romania, where I defeated the monster after a long battle. Once fully functional I started looking for career oportunities. At the end of two years of trials and errors I learned about an opening in marketing at AROBS Transilvania, where I finally found a nice team and excellent conditions for professional and personal fulfillment."
Date: Februarie 2006
Source: www.Wall-Street.ro, www.smarfinancial.ro, www.sns.ro, www.cariereonline.ro
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