Most important tip for translation graduates Thread poster: Ruqaiya Malik
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What are important tips for fresh translation graduates that they didn't learn in the university? How can they build a reputation and reach out to clients in 2024?
| | | | Samuel Murray 
Netherlands
Local time: 09:57
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Your goal is to become your clients' preferred translator. Also, be polite and be responsive.
| | | | Kevin Fulton
United States
Local time: 03:57
German to English
| Beware of scams | Jun 10, 2024 |
New translators are easy prey.
| | | | Baran Keki
Türkiye
Local time: 11:57
Member
English to Turkish
I thought they taught you 'theory' in universities, not 'tips'... Because when they actually get down to the meat and potatoes, they get it all wrong, like suggesting that Chinese/Australian kid to charge 5 cents per word!
There are, of course, 'Empowerment' courses that dish out tips and pointers, but they'll cost you an arm and a leg.
I personally recommend that you carefully go over the Getting Established topics, whatever that was recommended there in 2004 is more or less true a... See more I thought they taught you 'theory' in universities, not 'tips'... Because when they actually get down to the meat and potatoes, they get it all wrong, like suggesting that Chinese/Australian kid to charge 5 cents per word!
There are, of course, 'Empowerment' courses that dish out tips and pointers, but they'll cost you an arm and a leg.
I personally recommend that you carefully go over the Getting Established topics, whatever that was recommended there in 2004 is more or less true and applicable in 2024.
[Edited at 2024-06-10 16:55 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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| It's an old chestnut, but ... | Jun 10, 2024 |
... there's still a lot to be said for getting some experience in other roles before becoming a translator, and particularly before freelancing.
Also, don't work for peanuts - it might seem like a 'foot on the ladder', but it probably isn't.
| | | | | Think business from day one | Jun 11, 2024 |
When I still lived in Germany, I used to have quite a few interns from the University of Germersheim. Those who actually wanted to freelance after their studies sometimes had this glow about them: All ready and set to tackle the market, connect with potential clients, excited about being their own boss, and finally having the time to work hard. I do believe that energy is a thing. And I got to witness it first-hand as I walked them through the bureaucracy of setting up shop. They landed their fi... See more When I still lived in Germany, I used to have quite a few interns from the University of Germersheim. Those who actually wanted to freelance after their studies sometimes had this glow about them: All ready and set to tackle the market, connect with potential clients, excited about being their own boss, and finally having the time to work hard. I do believe that energy is a thing. And I got to witness it first-hand as I walked them through the bureaucracy of setting up shop. They landed their first clients pretty quickly, learned lessons in handling their own projects, laying the land of client speak. And then their invoices got paid.
I always told them there are two important things to do:
1) Open a separate account for your business finances and pay yourself a salary into your personal bank account.
2) Always put at least 30% of incoming funds aside for taxes and other "hidden" business expenses, the moment these funds hit your account. Don't be tempted to spend it all.
Lovely topic, by the way. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Daniela Braga
Brazil
Local time: 05:57
Member (2024)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Stay updated | Jun 11, 2024 |
Our market is changing very quickly. Be willing to always learn things, like how to use AI and things like that.
[Edited at 2024-06-11 16:46 GMT]
| | | | | Go study something else | Jun 12, 2024 |
Go study something else. I'm serious, but I don't mean you should abandon the translation career. What I mean is you need a field of specialisation for your translation work. There are not many well-paid jobs for pure linguists and, because of machine translation, there will be still fewer of these in the future. On the other hand, highly specialised translations, especially in regulated fields like medicine or aerospace, are still in demand and will remain in demand for the years to come. Howev... See more Go study something else. I'm serious, but I don't mean you should abandon the translation career. What I mean is you need a field of specialisation for your translation work. There are not many well-paid jobs for pure linguists and, because of machine translation, there will be still fewer of these in the future. On the other hand, highly specialised translations, especially in regulated fields like medicine or aerospace, are still in demand and will remain in demand for the years to come. However, to do these jobs really well, you need to have some background in your field of choice. You may not need a whole new degree, but reading textbooks in medicine/law/engineering will probably give you a better understanding of the subject than taking a course in medical/legal/technical translation for linguists. ▲ Collapse
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| Go do something else | Jun 12, 2024 |
Anton Konashenok wrote:
Go study something else.
As Rachel said a couple of days back - alternatively go do something else.
My "favourite" story about this is from years ago, I was reviewing a very straightforward HR text translated by a recent graduate. Anyone who had ever had any kind of permanent job would have had no trouble with it - it was standard stuff about annual appraisals and suchlike. This poor kid had no idea about any of it, and it was obvious.
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