Being successful without knowing Spanish? (Miami: law school, income, to live in)

[ayahuasca_mike]

I've noticed that many jobs in Miami and the south Florida area require applicants to be bilingual. I don't speak Spanish well enough to conduct business but in the near future Miami is a possible move for me. I am willing to learn as of now time is not permitting me to do so. Any suggestions?

[Marlin331]

Originally Posted by moddestmike

I've noticed that many jobs in Miami and the south Florida area require applicants to be bilingual. I don't speak Spanish well enough to conduct business but in the near future Miami is a possible move for me. I am willing to learn as of now time is not permitting me to do so. Any suggestions?

It really depends on the specific job but I know people in Miami doing just fine without speaking Spanish. Also, many of the Spanish-speaking people do not even have to use Spanish on the job, especially if the job is in law or business (to a lesser extent). Many businesses do deal heavily with Latin America, however, and thus many of them prefer bilingual applicants. What is your job field?

[ayahuasca_mike]

As of now I'm a network engineer but finishing my degree in Finance because of higher income potential and more free time (I'm on call 24/7 365). I expect to be done in the next year or so and will be persuinf law school in the state of Florida or an MBA program.

[FlyMIA]

Spanish is a big plus but in no way required to live in Miami and make money. I know MANY people in the Miami area who makes lots of Money and do not speak a word of spanish.

[Marlin331]

Originally Posted by moddestmike

As of now I'm a network engineer but finishing my degree in Finance because of higher income potential and more free time (I'm on call 24/7 365). I expect to be done in the next year or so and will be persuinf law school in the state of Florida or an MBA program.

You will be fine without speaking a word of Spanish in IT, finance, or law. No worries at all. I grew up down there and know people who speak little-to-no Spanish and are doing fine with their careers.

[giz2000]

While you don't need Spanish to be successful in Miami, it would be to your benefit to learn at least some conversational Spanish...it's always good to know another language anyway!

[stevep111]

I am not so sure about that. I remember when I moved here 15 years ago speaking spanish at work was frowned on and could get you fired because many businesses felt that it was insulting to the general public to speak in two languages. Then it moved to "Well if the person does not speak English it is ok" to over the edge. Now I see many people who can speak English better than me walking up to me and asking to speak to someone in Spanish. It makes me feel retarded or something and I feel it is racist. Sometimes I tell them that no one is available and then they go off in English like nothing is happening. At that point it makes me feel more angry but because I am in a people business I leave it alone.

The place I work at had a policy that when they would place advertisments for jobs at the end they would put Spanish preferred. Now in order to work where I do you have to speak English because it is the nature of the business but when I would try to go for a promotion I was called off because of this policy. I wrote a letter to HR and complained and they stopped putting it on the advertisements but are still practicing the policy. All of my clients have to speak English because all of the programs are in English so I don't see where they get off having this policy.

It is almost impossible to truely succeed in Miami without speaking Spanish but those who require it and don't try to encourage the countries general language also limit themselves to only being able to succeed in Miami. Hey I lived in Texas and the Spanish people were proud they could speak English.

[mdiggs1]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

Spanish is a big plus but in no way required to live in Miami and make money. I know MANY people in the Miami area who makes lots of Money and do not speak a word of spanish.

FlyMIA, I was just curious to what industries do those people you know work in, and what type of work do they do where skills in Spanish are not necessarily needed.

[stevep111]

I think Garbage man may come to mind.

[somebodymiami]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

Spanish is a big plus but in no way required to live in Miami and make money. I know MANY people in the Miami area who makes lots of Money and do not speak a word of english.

fixed, serious though, one of my friends parents are millionaires, and they barely speak English, cause he owns a company that exports and imports to Colombia