Job Q&A
By Allison Rao
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Mike Godbey, a 47 year-old retired U.S. Air Force major, worked in Saudi Arabia from June of 1996 until May of 1998 at the Riyadh air base. A career military officer, Godbey worked as chief instructional designer for the Royal Saudi Air Force, or RSAF, through a position with the Alsalam Aircraft Company. People who work in Saudi Arabia often find it difficult to assimilate into the culture, but Godbey said that it was not the case for him; in fact, he converted to Islam during his time in the country. Godbey now works as an instructional designer on a contract with Boeing in St. Louis. He is willing to correspond with anyone interested in working in Saudi Arabia; he can be reached at malack46@hotmail.com.

Monster: How did you end up in Saudi Arabia?

Mike Godbey: In the last two years before my retirement, I became aware that there were positions available in Saudi Arabia. I saw an ad in the Air Force Times; Boeing was recruiting people with Air Force skills to go over there and work for the Royal Saudi Air Force. I submitted an application in 1994 and went to work for Hughes Training shortly after I retired in June 1995. I received a letter from a recruiter in December and six months later, in June of 1996, I began working in Saudi Arabia.

Mc: What was it like to work for the Royal Saudi Air Force?

MG: Working for the Royal Saudi Air Force was absolutely wonderful. I set up a computer-based training development section for them, which was very gratifying for me personally and professionally. The whole section had pretty much been abandoned by the time I arrived: There were 486 computers just sitting around. With the help of another colleague, I got the whole section up and running in about two years. We did everything form hiring new people and buying software to implementing a software development plan. By the time I left there, we had succeeded in producing and implementing 12 one-hour computer-based training lessons.

Mc: Were there any challenges to working with the Saudis?

MG: Not for me because I took courses in intercultural communications and understanding cultural differences during graduate school at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas . This gave me a very important idea of what to expect from the Saudi nationals once I arrived. It was exceptionally helpful. I personally didn't have any challenges in dealing with Saudis because I intergrated into their society very quickly and made friends.

Mc: What allowed you to become immersed in their culture?

MG: I've had some training in counseling, and I know that listening skills are very important. I put those skills to very good use in Saudi Arabia. I went there with the deliberate intention of showing respect for their culture, respect for their spiritual beliefs and their religion. I studied Arabic for a year and a half, and now speak it conversationally. I'm not fluent, but I can carry on a conversation and it would be easy to improve my skills. Also, I converted to Islam while I was there, so that helped me understand their culture a little better.

Mc: What are some of the main cultural differences that someone who is planning to work in Saudi Arabia should expect?

MG: The attitude toward work is very different. The impression I got from Saudis I worked with was that work is a necessary evil done between about 7:30 a.m. to about 2 p.m. They don't all share the American values of career advancement and "getting ahead."

Mc: What advice would you have for someone thinking about working in Saudi Arabia?

MG: I recommend reading about or taking classes on expatriation and repatriation experiences -- both of these experiences can be tough, so the better prepared you are, the quicker you'll adjust to your surroundings. It's also important to try and understand the cultural differences between the two countries. You must bear in mind you are considered a guest of the King, and you play by their rules. The best advice my boss gave me when I arrived there was, "It's their Air Force. We get paid once a month."

Mc: Do you plan to go back?

MG: Insha-Allah, I will go back. That's Arabic for "By the will of Allah."