How to enter the job market Thread poster: Sojeong Kim
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Sojeong Kim 
United States
Local time: 12:12
Korean to English
Dear linguists around the world,
Happy New Year to everyone! I have been longing to start my career as a translator from Korean to English, or vice-versa. However, having no degrees in translation field, I feel stuck in this pro-z site. Could you please help me with kind advice how to build up my career as a newbie? I have been translating as a freelancer since my college year. I was involved in translation gigs for the field of international politics, cultural heritage, and intern... See more Dear linguists around the world,
Happy New Year to everyone! I have been longing to start my career as a translator from Korean to English, or vice-versa. However, having no degrees in translation field, I feel stuck in this pro-z site. Could you please help me with kind advice how to build up my career as a newbie? I have been translating as a freelancer since my college year. I was involved in translation gigs for the field of international politics, cultural heritage, and international business report for five years during my advanced studies. While working in a non-profit field, I translated community newsletters and report for Korean-American community in Korean to English for another 5 years. I got involved in translating sermon services, and Christian testimonies for the most recent 3 years.
As you see, my translation experience was built around my personal network and the focus field is very diversified. In this case, how do you marketize yourself as an independent freelancer? I would like to hear about any non-degree programs, preferably virtual ones that helps to build expertise in a certain field relatively in a short-time frame.
My inquiry may come across rudimentary for those who have already established career. I ask you not to just pass by this post, but please share your two cents for this novice in the field. Thanks for your kind advice in advance.
Best, ▲ Collapse
| | | | Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 18:12
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Sojeong Kim wrote:
Could you please help me with kind advice how to build up my career as a newbie?
First, here are some free resources:
https://wiki.proz.com/wiki/index.php/Special:AllPages
https://www.proz.com/translation-articles/
https://videos.proz.com
Second, I suggest you read a book or two about becoming a translator:
https://www.proz.com/books
The best book on starting translation is, of course, Alex Eames' "How to earn $80,000+ per year as a freelance translator", but that book is no longer available. The second best book, in my opinion, is the one by Corinne McKay. Also get Jost Zetzsche's The Translator's Tool Box.
Third, go to the Blue Board, visit as many translation agencies as possible, and sign up for them or send them an application.
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:12
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Degree non necessary | Jan 9, 2022 |
Sojeong Kim wrote:
Dear linguists around the world,
Happy New Year to everyone! I have been longing to start my career as a translator from Korean to English, or vice-versa. However, having no degrees in translation field, I feel stuck in this pro-z site. Could you please help me with kind advice how to build up my career as a newbie? I have been translating as a freelancer since my college year. I was involved in translation gigs for the field of international politics, cultural heritage, and international business report for five years during my advanced studies. While working in a non-profit field, I translated community newsletters and report for Korean-American community in Korean to English for another 5 years. I got involved in translating sermon services, and Christian testimonies for the most recent 3 years.
As you see, my translation experience was built around my personal network and the focus field is very diversified. In this case, how do you marketize yourself as an independent freelancer? I would like to hear about any non-degree programs, preferably virtual ones that helps to build expertise in a certain field relatively in a short-time frame.
My inquiry may come across rudimentary for those who have already established career. I ask you not to just pass by this post, but please share your two cents for this novice in the field. Thanks for your kind advice in advance.
Best,
1. A degree is not necessary- people are looking for experience and ability; not letters after your name.
2. Don't diversify; on the contrary, specialise. It looks to me that you already specialise in Christian religious texts. That is a very lucrative market.
[Edited at 2022-01-09 17:50 GMT]
| | | | jyuan_us
United States
Local time: 12:12
Member (2005)
English to Chinese
+ ...
Tom in London wrote:
It looks to me that you already specialise in Christian religious texts. That is a very lucrative market.
[Edited at 2022-01-09 17:50 GMT]
Are you sure your statement is true for the thread starter's language pair, i.e., from Korean to English?
[Edited at 2022-01-09 18:26 GMT]
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Mihai Badea (X)
Luxembourg
Local time: 18:12
English to Romanian
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| Translation studies not a requirement | Jan 9, 2022 |
Translation seems to be one of the scientific fields that did not manage to established themselves firmly and make themselves respected (although, there are indeed BA, MA and even PhD programs in translation).
There is no use to blame them, but university professors in translation studies - collectively - probably have a great deal of responsibility for that.
Many clients, if not most of them will forgive you for your lack of formal training in translation, and you seem... See more Translation seems to be one of the scientific fields that did not manage to established themselves firmly and make themselves respected (although, there are indeed BA, MA and even PhD programs in translation).
There is no use to blame them, but university professors in translation studies - collectively - probably have a great deal of responsibility for that.
Many clients, if not most of them will forgive you for your lack of formal training in translation, and you seem indeed capable of doing a decent job in terms of translating a text accurately. Your advanced studies - even if not in translation - certainly help with that.
What you need most of all is, seemingly, marketing skills, and ProZ.com offers an abundance of resources. Take time to explore them thoroughly.
You might also want to take a look at the mentorship program:
https://www.proz.com/guidance-center/mentoring-program/ ▲ Collapse
| | | | Paul Dixon
Brazil
Local time: 14:12
Portuguese to English
+ ...
In memoriam
You need luck first of all. In the Browse Jobs for PT>EN I have seen over 500 bidders for one job. Very heartbreaking. You do have an advantage that you offer Korean. If you could offer PTKO you would do well, as far as I know there only one translator who offers it and a huge Korean immigrant population.
And take constant courses and have consultancy in marketing skills. For some reason, translation schools around the world teach skills, CATs, ethics, practical translation etc - but compl... See more You need luck first of all. In the Browse Jobs for PT>EN I have seen over 500 bidders for one job. Very heartbreaking. You do have an advantage that you offer Korean. If you could offer PTKO you would do well, as far as I know there only one translator who offers it and a huge Korean immigrant population.
And take constant courses and have consultancy in marketing skills. For some reason, translation schools around the world teach skills, CATs, ethics, practical translation etc - but completely overlook the marketing side of the profession. If I had the money I would open an institution to offer marketing courses for translators.
We have a very good course here in Brazil called DBB, but unfortunately they do not offer anything in Korean. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Adieu
Ukrainian to English
+ ...
| Consider big globalized Korean industries | Jan 9, 2022 |
Tech, automotive, entertainment, pharma, etc
They often do much of their stuff as KR > EN > local languages and vice versa
[Edited at 2022-01-09 22:46 GMT]
[Edited at 2022-01-09 22:47 GMT]
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