Job Q&A
by Allan Hoffman
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David Griffiths, 44, is the chief technology officer at Greenville, South Carolina's Datastream Systems, which helps companies ensure plant efficiency through asset management and online industrial procurement. Griffiths has worked there for five years, and as CTO, he oversees the firm's technical goals and vision. A native of the United Kingdom, Griffiths was lured to the US 10 years ago by its opportunities. "The fast and furious pace of innovation in America outstrips anything in Europe," says Griffiths, who also worked throughout Europe and the Far East.
Monster.com: Why did you come to the US?
David Griffiths: To put it bluntly, 10 years ago I realized that my country wasn't going to make it. I looked at it on a macro level. Based on history, I believe a country can only grow if it manufactures, turns some raw material into a product. In the UK, they just do services and turn the pound note over.
I decided I was going to have to change countries to find opportunities. My choices were Canada, Australia or America. I wrote off Canada because it reminds me of a Third World country, and Australia only has 19 million people who all live around the edge, so I didn't think the economy would be that buoyant. I found that in America, there is very little penalty for failing -- the penalty is for not trying. It's one of the few countries that can be self-sustaining. I think that the Europeans have a better depth of execution, but it's too late. I consider myself an economic refugee.
Mc: How did you adjust when you first got here?
DG: The adjustment for an English speaker is actually harder than for someone who doesn't have English as his native tongue. The danger is you assume everything you say is understood. Winston Churchill described the situation as two countries separated by a common language. It took me about three months to realize I needed to treat America as I did Borneo, where I previously worked. Once I got that hoisted into my skull, things were a lot simpler. From month six to month nine, it was extremely difficult mentally, because I suddenly realize I was not here for a visit -- I was here for the long haul. It's fair to say that the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) makes it extraordinarily difficult for people to get into this country. My company had to employ one of the country's best law firms to get me here.
Mc: What advice do you have for someone thinking about an international career?
DG: Decide if you feel there is going to be growth, both for you professionally and within the country itself. I know a lot of expats that went to Indonesia and then, after the economic problems there, were literally high and dry. They were not welcome and were immediately returned to their countries. You've also got to be able to eat different food. I know that sounds stupid, but you've got to be able to do it.
Mc: What are some of the foods you've had?
DG: I've had everything from chicken's feet to collard greens. I prefer the chicken's feet, which I had in Borneo. I've seen people drinking snake's blood to improve their virility in Malaysia.
Mc: Anything else to add?
DG: Be ever so nice to the INS. For me, that was the most brutal experience. You've got to have perfect preparation, and you should have a work visa before coming to this country.
by Allan Hoffman
[ More Job Q&As ]
David Griffiths, 44, is the chief technology officer at Greenville, South Carolina's Datastream Systems, which helps companies ensure plant efficiency through asset management and online industrial procurement. Griffiths has worked there for five years, and as CTO, he oversees the firm's technical goals and vision. A native of the United Kingdom, Griffiths was lured to the US 10 years ago by its opportunities. "The fast and furious pace of innovation in America outstrips anything in Europe," says Griffiths, who also worked throughout Europe and the Far East.
Monster.com: Why did you come to the US?
David Griffiths: To put it bluntly, 10 years ago I realized that my country wasn't going to make it. I looked at it on a macro level. Based on history, I believe a country can only grow if it manufactures, turns some raw material into a product. In the UK, they just do services and turn the pound note over.
I decided I was going to have to change countries to find opportunities. My choices were Canada, Australia or America. I wrote off Canada because it reminds me of a Third World country, and Australia only has 19 million people who all live around the edge, so I didn't think the economy would be that buoyant. I found that in America, there is very little penalty for failing -- the penalty is for not trying. It's one of the few countries that can be self-sustaining. I think that the Europeans have a better depth of execution, but it's too late. I consider myself an economic refugee.
Mc: How did you adjust when you first got here?
DG: The adjustment for an English speaker is actually harder than for someone who doesn't have English as his native tongue. The danger is you assume everything you say is understood. Winston Churchill described the situation as two countries separated by a common language. It took me about three months to realize I needed to treat America as I did Borneo, where I previously worked. Once I got that hoisted into my skull, things were a lot simpler. From month six to month nine, it was extremely difficult mentally, because I suddenly realize I was not here for a visit -- I was here for the long haul. It's fair to say that the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) makes it extraordinarily difficult for people to get into this country. My company had to employ one of the country's best law firms to get me here.
Mc: What advice do you have for someone thinking about an international career?
DG: Decide if you feel there is going to be growth, both for you professionally and within the country itself. I know a lot of expats that went to Indonesia and then, after the economic problems there, were literally high and dry. They were not welcome and were immediately returned to their countries. You've also got to be able to eat different food. I know that sounds stupid, but you've got to be able to do it.
Mc: What are some of the foods you've had?
DG: I've had everything from chicken's feet to collard greens. I prefer the chicken's feet, which I had in Borneo. I've seen people drinking snake's blood to improve their virility in Malaysia.
Mc: Anything else to add?
DG: Be ever so nice to the INS. For me, that was the most brutal experience. You've got to have perfect preparation, and you should have a work visa before coming to this country.
