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This blog is a part of my volunteer efforts to build a strong entrepreneurial community in South Florida and worldwide.
When I came to the US from Russia in 1992, I didn't know English that well. I was educated alright. I had an MD degree. But the kind of English I learned in school, and later in college, was textbook English. How do you do? -- that kind of English, rather primitive.
When I heard real English for the first time in the US on TV (very fast), I thought I would never be able to understand or learn business English.
I also didn't know anything about the western business world, zero, nada because I grew up in the Soviet Union.
So, with all these limitations I went out to get a job... It was humiliating.. It was painful.. I think I cried once... But I just pushed forward because I didn't have any choice. And I got my first job and after that I had many other interesting jobs.
As for my English, I've got to a point that my last job was as a vice president of a technology PR firm in Coral Gables (with a nice salary) where writing and editing tech stories in business English is all we did.
My point is, you can learn how to write in English well and it will pay off handsomely.
People who know how to write and edit well can always command higher salaries.
The best way I now how to do anything is by doing it over and over. It might be painful at first and you might not do that well. Your first story might be awful, but keep going. The key is to set your eyes on the prize and keep going. You are investing in yourself. With each article written, your own value will go up.
To push yourself, take on a commitment. If you are in Miami, see if you can start writing as a citizen journalist for the Gables Home Page. If you have a weekly column assignment, it will keep you disciplined, it will keep you going.
Or, start your own blog. Week after week, your personal stock, your personal value will go up and up and up...
And at some point you will be able to follow my advice from the last week. You will not only be able to get a job when there are no openings, but to name your own salary too.
Feel free to share your personal story in the comments below.
About me: I am Irina Patterson, was a Medical Doctor and tech PR executive in the past, My current passion is entrepreneurship. I'm a volunteer for the Silicon Valley-based Global Initiative 1M1M that offers free online guidance to entrepreneurs worldwide.
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