Experiencing new cultures and building a truly global career
Purevsaikhan Dadam – Saihnaa as she is known to her colleagues – has always pushed boundaries. Now, taking on an expatriate role in Saudi Arabia, she’s doing it once again, working on-site at Worley’s Ma’aden Phosphate 3 Phase 1 project – a globally significant mega project that is vital to Saudi Arabia’s national priorities.
Her 12-year journey is one of resilience, adaptability, and a relentless drive to expand her horizons.
Saihnaa’s career began as a buyer at Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia. She later joined Worley, a key partner at the site, in an administrative role. She advanced quickly – first as an expeditor, then as a contracts administrator – before stepping into a leadership role as a Contract Specialist.
“I come from a country where everyone is encouraged to bring new ideas and diverse perspectives. Taking that experience to Saudi Arabia as an expat is something I’m incredibly proud of,” Saihnaa says.
Adapting to a new culture and work environment came with challenges, but Saihnaa sees them as opportunities to grow.
“There’s always an adjustment period when working in a new country,” she said. “I’ve had to adapt, but I’ve learned that the best way to build respect anywhere in the world is to let my work speak for itself.”
Her colleagues played an important role in making the transition smoother.
The team welcomed me with kindness and helped me settle in. We went out as a team for lunches and dinners which made me feel included and cared for. This support made all the difference in starting a job in a new country and unfamiliar environment.”
Driven by her love of travel and drive to broaden her career, Saihnaa embraces the expatriate Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) lifestyle. It allows her to combine her ambition to take on new challenges with her passion for meeting people from different backgrounds.
Her advice to those considering a move to Saudi Arabia?
Take the time to understand the culture and familiarize yourself the societal norms and the specific requirements of the project and site you’ll be working on, prior to coming here.
Once you do that, everything else falls into place.”
Saihnaa credits Worley for giving her the opportunity to build a global career and work across diverse projects. As she continues breaking new ground, she hopes to inspire more women to take their careers beyond borders.
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