Posted By AlB It depends. Can you not go to Oz for a year and do some work out there on a temporary basis (I believe you can work there for 3 months in any one job on an annual working holiday visa). This would allow you the opportunity to see the place and continue gaining experience. It also depends on the employer. Some may not be bothered, others may see it as a bonus, others may see it as a negative. Depends on their outlook and personal experiences. It also depends on your ability to sell your experience. At the end of the day, looking for work is about selling yourself. Evereything you do is a positive, you only need to know how to sell it. And my last piece of advice - I had the opportunity to go to Australia for 18 months to study for a Masters in OH&S. I was accepted to a University just outside of Sydney. But I was offered a promotion by my employer and I took it. That decision took me to where I am today, and has allowed me the confidence and ability to progress further. However, who knows what opportunities may have opened up for me had I gone to Oz. But one thing is for sure. I missed my opportunity to go, and I sacrificed my personal thirst for adventure at a time of life where it was available to me, with little constraints holdijng me back. Now a mortgage, long term relationship and a stage in my life where I need to concentrate on my career to get to where I want to be have all but closed the door (although that door is never locked, not for anyone). Search deep, decide what you value and what you want. If you want to go and experience life and find out who you are, go. And don't regret it, and don't look back. Opportunities will always open up for you, whatever your decision. If I had the same opportunity I had 3 years ago, I would take the Australia route. But I don't regret my decision to stay either. Don't over-evaluate the situation. Go with your gut feeling. My gut feeling told me to go to Oz. But I over-evaluated and decided to stay. It was the incorrect decision I think, and still hav pangs of sadness that I didn't go. But hey - that's life. There will always be jobs available to you. Just go get them - be it now, or be it after your trip. Good luck in making your decision!

Posted By ME Why would it be seen as a bad thing by employers? Travel is seen as an accepted part of modern life and shows life experience. You may also be able to pick up different ways of dealing with H&S that you could apply to future work in the UK. Experience is experience and can never been seen as a waste, only as a learning curve. I spent 10 years as a stay at home mum before I qualified and went back to work and I have still used that as worthwhile life experience. Go, enjoy yourself while you can, grab every opportunity in life, don't worry so much.

Posted By GavinR Hi Colin, I have considered the same thing as i to have recently graduated and working in H&S but would have to say i'm worried about returning in a year or two and it being tough to find a new job. I have a best friend who recently moved over and he loves the place, its a great place to live and work but if you look on iosh career site you'll notice the amount of people writing in requesting someone give them a chance in H&S and my personal experience(although based in N.Ireland) is that H&S jobs for recently qualified people are very very thin on the ground. I've decided to stay for the next 12 months and try and get a H&S jobs that will take me in the direction i want to go but may consider a conversion course and seeking employment in oz if thniothing improves here. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone! Its a difficult choice awith very good sides and down sides to. Best of Luck mate with your deciusion. Gav

Posted By Tracey Kelly Colin, I took 3 years out following redundancy because my kids were young. They're now both at school, and I've started back working, but was lucky enough to get part time contract work, with flexibility around school holidays etc. There were a few factors involved, which could apply to your situation (or anyone else):- 1. The company knew me from before 2. I already had a good track record, with a strong CV 3. While I wasn't working, I got my pgc distance learning, and hence MIOSH, so I could show something on my CV during that period 4. There aren't many experienced safety engineers in my neck of the woods, so they weren't exactly spoiled for choice Tracey