Construction Engineering PM Career Advice

MountainRunner

Having worked in a middle management capacity with a property development company in Ireland & was made redundant about four years ago. Returned to 3rd level and finished an undergrad in Construction Management & Engineering; completed a Post Grad Dip in Project Management & followed that with an MSc in Engineering. I am anxious to get back to work asap. My present status gives me the flexibility to travel abroad for prolonged durations to work.
I would like to know what others in a similar situation with a similar skill-set have done; are there still viable long term opportunities in tax free destinations & also how people found both career progression as well as cross functional advancement in destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi or Hong Kong within the construction/engineering sector. Did you use agencies in pursuit of prospective roles or apply directly to companies?
Also, again with a similar skill-set, have others found it difficult to use new qualifications to pursue new sectors such as oil & gas, mining or a progressive middle management role within a construction/engineering organization?
Also; MBA , yes or no? Or is a sound technical project management basis sufficient to move into a business management role. Sound advice would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

MountainRunner

Just wondering if anybody has any direct experience working within a construction/project management role in Saudi Arabia, and what the region is like to work in with regard to work/life balance, opportunities etc; who the best companies are to work for and also how these companies generally hire (direct approach or agencies) etc? Or if anybody would recommend other areas of the same tax free ilk..

godtabh

You've posted the same thread in several locations. I've merged these two as they are one of the same

MountainRunner

Yes godtabh thats correct; hoping to gain a broader swath of reader sentiment. Contribution is noted and much appreciated.