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Do you love languages? Do you speak and write two or more fluently? If so, you might want to consider a career as a translator or interpreter.
Translators tend to work more with the written word, while interpreters deal with oral communication. This career area is growing and is one of the easier international fields to break into without specific experience. Many people in the translation field come from a broad array of backgrounds. "With more and more businesses going global, the market for translation services is in demand and continues to expand," notes Walter Bacak, executive director of the
American Translators Association (ATA), in Intercom magazine.
Translators usually specialize in certain fields, like law, fiction and poetry, or in science and technology. For example, a law firm doing work abroad would look to hire translation services to translate legal documents. Publishing firms hire translators to translate fiction and poetry so books may be sold in overseas markets. Likewise, computer companies hire technical translators to rewrite instructions on computer programs and technology for the same reasons.
Because the work tends to be highly technical in nature, it's usually not enough to simply be fluent in two or more languages. A professional certificate or training course is generally recommended. The most respected educational institution offering training in the field is the
Monterey Institute of International Studies, according to Bacak. However, a specific academic background is not required beyond this formal training, making it one of the more accessible fields to enter as a mid-career professional.
Keep your finger on the pulse of this market, and you might find yourself in a flexible career that is in demand, allowing you to use your writing and language skills and meet new and interesting people.
Which Languages Are Most in Demand?Demand changes constantly, according to several professionals in the field, depending on economic and business trends as well as the industry in which you are working. If you're doing legal translation, different languages may be more in demand than those required for technical translation. Spanish is certainly important, as are French, German, Japanese and, of course, English. There is demand for other languages as well, so if you have a different expertise, especially in a more obscure language, you might be able to develop a market niche.
Who Hires Translators and Interpreters?Corporations tend to hire either consultants or organizations, like
Bowne, or individual freelancers who provide translation and interpretation services as their main business service. Some businesses keep translators on staff, but this is becoming increasingly rare, as it is quite expensive. Government agencies and international organizations, such as the
United Nations, also have interpreters on staff.
Breaking into the FieldFor students, internships are a great way to test out the fields of translation and interpretation. Mid-career professionals contemplating career change might want to consider enrolling in a few courses toward a certificate program to see how they like the work.
To start a career in the field, get references or samples of your work. Bacak suggests either
volunteering for a freelance professional or interning at a translation company. Another option is to offer to do some volunteer translation or interpretation for a nonprofit organization. Once you have examples of your work, you can begin to market yourself.
Approximately 70 percent of ATA's members are freelancers. Whether you choose to work freelance or full-time for an employer is your decision. The pros of working freelance are the same as for any
consultant: You have the freedom of your time and the ability to accept a variety of interesting jobs as well as to set your own rates. Working full-time for a translation agency or a business/government agency can be positive as well: You have a steady income, benefits and no need to continually market yourself.
