Would being a dual first generation US citizen with conversational fluency help my chances applying to McK/BCG in Manila? Coming from Big4 and currently working on a non-MBA masters from a top program. I wouldn’t mind a pay cut for a few years to enjoy the experience of living abroad and reconnecting with extended family.
Mentor
I’m struggling to understand why your US citizenship status would help you with working in another country? Also if you’re only conversationally fluent in the local language I would not advise hiring there. At the new hire level it’s expected that you will be fully fluent and able to talk business with clients. If you’re unable to do that your performance will significantly suffer.
Appreciate your reply! I was thinking having dual citizenship would get me around any visa sponsorship hurdles in the Philippines. As for being bilingual, that makes sense, and I’ll keep practicing to expand my Tagalog (I’d say living in Manila for a few months would easily get me to high verbal fluency since I’ve been raised on “practical” Tagalog since childhood, but need to brush up on more technical/specific phrases and writing). Most people speak English in the PH as well so I suspect it may not be a huge hurdle in the business setting, similar to Singapore.
I also find it interesting that Bain doesn’t have an office there yet. The current global managing partner is Filipino
Everyone in the Philippine business community speaks English. You’re fine!