Larchmont Gazette.com: Career Doctor - MUST MY ENGLISH BE PERFECT?

The Career Doctor™

by Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez

Looking for a first job? Thinking of changing careers? Facing a lay-off? The Career Doctor™ is a Larchmont psychologist specializing in career counseling. If you'd like to ask a question of your own, use our anonymous form, and she might answer you here. Read more about the Career Doctor here. Contact information is here.

MUST MY ENGLISH BE PERFECT?

Dear Career Doctor:

I am a computer engineer by profession, working as a project engineer in a multinational software firm from past one year, but want to do mba now and move for a career in finance. English is not my first language and I make mistakes. Will that keep me from getting into mba program?

Amirtmay

Dear Amirtmay:

Given the global economy and the emphasis on diversity, more and more people in corporations and MBA programs speak English as a second language. In most such cases, no one expects the English to be perfect.

However, given how extremely difficult it is to get into a good MBA program (and it is hardly worth the expense of going to a mediocre one) I strongly urge you to have someone edit your application and essays to correct major grammatical mistakes. If your application has as many errors as the letter you wrote me, it could be held against you. On the other hand, you should not be so edited and re-written that it seems as if you hired someone to write your application for you. You should stress that English is not your first language and make that into an asset by discussing the different perspective you will bring to the school.

Your application -- and later, your grades and your career, will be enhanced by improving your English skills. The better you are able to communicate, the better others will be able to understand your ideas and appreciate your intelligence. So, take some English classes, or get a tutor to improve your English. That may prove to be as good an investment as getting your MBA.

The Career Doctor

The Career Doctor™ is Larchmont psychologist and career counselor, Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez.

Her office is at 90 Beechtree Drive in Larchmont, 914-834-1982.



	The Career Doctor™ by Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez Looking for a first job? Thinking of changing careers? Facing a lay-off? The Career Doctor™ is a Larchmont psychologist specializing in career counseling. If you'd like to ask a question of your own, use our anonymous form, and she might answer you here. Read more about the Career Doctor here. Contact information is here. MUST MY ENGLISH BE PERFECT? Dear Career Doctor: I am a computer engineer by profession, working as a project engineer in a multinational software firm from past one year, but want to do mba now and move for a career in finance. English is not my first language and I make mistakes. Will that keep me from getting into mba program? Amirtmay Dear Amirtmay: Given the global economy and the emphasis on diversity, more and more people in corporations and MBA programs speak English as a second language. In most such cases, no one expects the English to be perfect. However, given how extremely difficult it is to get into a good MBA program (and it is hardly worth the expense of going to a mediocre one) I strongly urge you to have someone edit your application and essays to correct major grammatical mistakes. If your application has as many errors as the letter you wrote me, it could be held against you. On the other hand, you should not be so edited and re-written that it seems as if you hired someone to write your application for you. You should stress that English is not your first language and make that into an asset by discussing the different perspective you will bring to the school. Your application -- and later, your grades and your career, will be enhanced by improving your English skills. The better you are able to communicate, the better others will be able to understand your ideas and appreciate your intelligence. So, take some English classes, or get a tutor to improve your English. That may prove to be as good an investment as getting your MBA. The Career Doctor The Career Doctor™ is Larchmont psychologist and career counselor, Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez. Her office is at 90 Beechtree Drive in Larchmont, 914-834-1982. Print This Page--For best results, highlight text, then print selection Email this article