By Chuiqing Kong
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
Anyone who has worked as a translator or interpreter will tell you that it is not just a job, but a career filled with excitement and satisfaction. By fostering communication and bringing people closer together, language professionals help make the world even more connected. If you are eager to use your language skills and cultural knowledge to make a meaningful impact, here is a guide that could help you get started.
LANDSCAPE OF THE LANGUAGE SERVICE INDUSTRY
There are many types of job opportunities available in the language industry. Some common roles include translators, proofreaders, QA testers, medical or court interpreters, and conference interpreters. Unlike individuals in many professions who work 9-to-5 jobs, translators and interpreters have the flexibility to work as full-time employees, independent contractors, freelancers, or even establish their own businesses. While this opens a world of possibilities, it can also be overwhelming and confusing for newcomers. Therefore, the first step is to conduct thorough research to get a clear picture of how the market for your language pair works.
The demand for language professionals can vary significantly by geographical location and specialization. If you’re seeking opportunities in the United States, begin your search on major platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. However, don’t limit yourself to these and consider looking for opportunities elsewhere too. For example, if you’re interested in working for federal or local governments, try visiting websites like www.governmentjobs.com, www.usajobs.gov, or the websites of your local county or state governments to find openings in the public sector. In addition, you might want to explore opportunities with language service providers (LSPs), which are companies that offer linguistic services to other businesses. You can find a ranking of LSPs on this page.
IMPORTANT DECISIONS TO CONSIDER
Choosing your professional domicile is crucial, especially for aspiring interpreters. If you’re interested in pursuing a specific career path, you may want to consider relocating to a different location or even moving abroad. For example, if your goal is to work as a diplomatic interpreter, it makes sense to reside in the capital city of a country. If you wish to build a career in community interpreting, living in areas with a substantial immigrant population is essential. Translators typically enjoy greater flexibility as they are often allowed to work fully remotely. They could even live a nomad lifestyle in any place with internet access.
Another way to help kickstart your career is by selecting a specialization. It is a good idea to start with a field where you have expertise, such as your undergraduate major or an area where you have previous work experience. Or consider your passions: If you’re a gamer, you might find it fascinating and rewarding to work with a gaming company. Bear in mind that you need not confine yourself to a single specialization. Feel free to explore other areas to see what works best for you.
However, the number of opportunities listed publicly online might be limited. In fact, many professionals find job openings through referrals. It’s common to hear from freelancers that they receive most assignments through word-of-mouth recommendations from colleagues, agencies, or direct clients. This leads to my next point, which is networking and building connections.
BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
I have found that LinkedIn is my preferred platform for virtual networking. Whenever I come across insightful podcasts or articles, I try to connect with the individuals through LinkedIn. After reaching out to them with a respectful and professional message, I then proceed to engage in meaningful conversations or express my interest in arranging a Zoom call. This interactive way of communication is quite helpful in connecting with mentors.
Working as a translator or interpreter can be quite solitary at times, and as humans, we crave connection. That’s another reason why actively participating in in-person networking activities organized by professional associations is so important. The annual conference organized by the American Translators Association (ATA) provides a perfect opportunity to connect with peers and engage with the community. In addition to attending educational sessions and networking events, consider getting more involved by giving presentations or taking leadership roles within divisions. I also recommend preparing a self-introduction and compiling a list of generic questions related to translation and interpretation. This will help facilitate exchange with fellow professionals.
I also strongly encourage translators and interpreters to consider taking the ATA certification exam. As the largest professional association of translators and interpreters in the U.S., ATA offers the most reputable credentials for translators. Being listed as a certified translator in the ATA directory provides proof of your professional expertise and significantly increases your chances of receiving inquiries from potential clients.
In addition to ATA, judiciary interpreters and translators can find their professional home in the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT). For medical interpreters, the National Board of Certified Medical Interpreters (NBCMI) and the Commission for Certified Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) offer nationally recognized certification programs.
Like many industries, the translation and interpretation profession is being reshaped by technology and artificial intelligence. For technology to work for us instead of against us, it’s essential to boost your technology literacy. Consider familiarizing yourself with tools like machine translation and terminology management software. Being tech-savvy is key to maintaining competitiveness.
CONCLUSION
In summary, here is a list of questions to consider:
- What is your preferred employment status: in-house employee, independent contractor, or freelancer?
- Are you interested in translation, interpretation, or both?
- If you choose translation or interpretation, which specialization are you interested in? Popular options include business and finance, political and diplomatic, science, technology, medical, and legal.
- Are you open to relocating for career opportunities?
- Do you meet the requirements for government positions?
- What is the minimum income you need to support yourself financially?
- Have you thought about joining a professional association?
- How much time (and money) are you willing to invest in your career development?
I hope this article has provided you with some ideas on how to kickstart your language service career. If you don’t immediately land your dream job, don’t be discouraged. Keep trying and be patient. You might be pleasantly surprised to receive a job offer through a connection you made at a networking event six months ago. When you secure your first job opportunity, be on time, responsive, and easy to work with. Remember, your professionalism matters the most.
Have fun exploring, and good luck!
Chuiqing Kong is a freelance English and Chinese translator and interpreter based in San Jose, California. After graduating from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies with a degree in conference interpretation in 2022, she has been providing language services to clients in various sectors, including public services, technology, healthcare, legal, and education. Chuiqing is a certified medical interpreter and a member of the American Translators Association and California Healthcare Interpreting Association. She is currently pursuing a career in legal interpreting. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Chuiqing at chuiqingkong@gmail.com.
Edited by Fang Sheng and Sijin Xian.
Leave a Reply