Thinking of Changing: What else are you doing/did you do?
Thread poster: dabro
dabro
dabro
Local time: 06:08
Italian to English
Apr 25, 2007

Hey everyone
I have been translating for some time now and time has come for a change I think.

I think I have grown tired of it. The reasons are various. One of the main reasons
is that it tends to isolate me, I find myself drained at the end of the day and
I realize thath I havent spoken to a soul I am still relatively young, I've just
turned thirty. I would like to try something else, a new job...something
that especially would allow for plenty o
... See more
Hey everyone
I have been translating for some time now and time has come for a change I think.

I think I have grown tired of it. The reasons are various. One of the main reasons
is that it tends to isolate me, I find myself drained at the end of the day and
I realize thath I havent spoken to a soul I am still relatively young, I've just
turned thirty. I would like to try something else, a new job...something
that especially would allow for plenty of transfers, business trips as I do have
a passion for travel. I have a brief experience in sales from 2 or 3 years back.

I am a little demoralized as I fear I wont be able to find anything.

Therefore my question to you is:

What could translating develop in? Has it developed into something else for you?
Any advice based on your previous experience?



d.

[Edited at 2007-04-25 11:14]
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Fabio Descalzi
Fabio Descalzi  Identity Verified
Uruguay
Local time: 02:08
Member (2004)
German to Spanish
+ ...
Absolutely a lot to do! Apr 25, 2007

Ciao Dabro,

Nice to greet you.
To tell you the truth: ever since I am very active here at ProZ, I haven't found time to be bored!
Not to tell the advantage of communicating via Skype: the whole world is available there, at your fingertips and at voice-reach. Since I have installed it I keep talking the whole day long, during my long hours sitting here while I translate.

And have you ever tried going to a Powwow? I have just talked to a charming lady who told
... See more
Ciao Dabro,

Nice to greet you.
To tell you the truth: ever since I am very active here at ProZ, I haven't found time to be bored!
Not to tell the advantage of communicating via Skype: the whole world is available there, at your fingertips and at voice-reach. Since I have installed it I keep talking the whole day long, during my long hours sitting here while I translate.

And have you ever tried going to a Powwow? I have just talked to a charming lady who told me: I met my husband at a Powwow!

You see, opportunities are there aplenty.

Avanti, uomo, sei ancora giovane!

Good luck and take care,
Fabio Descalzi
Montevideo, Uruguay
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Monika Rozwarzewska
Monika Rozwarzewska  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:08
Member (2006)
English to Polish
+ ...
journalism Apr 25, 2007

I was a journalist for 7 years before I became a translator. Maybe you can try journalism? You can start with translating for a magazine or agency.

 
Zamira B.
Zamira B.  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:08
Member (2006)
English to Russian
+ ...
What about Apr 25, 2007

dabro wrote:

Therefore my question to you is:

What could translating develop in? Has it developed into something else for you?
Any advice based on your previous experience?

d.

[Edited at 2007-04-25 11:14]


switching from translating to interpreting or an in-house position? both mean plenty of interaction and possibly travels.

Zamira


 
lingomania
lingomania
Local time: 15:08
Italian to English
Ciao Apr 25, 2007

Hi. I love my job and it has opened other paths for me like teaching English as a mother-tongue teacher in Italy and becoming a PET/KET/FCE/BCE examiner for British Council. I am always in the language business though. You talked about having experience in sales, well, you could try to combine the two things and try working as an export manager for an export company and by doing so you could travel more.

Robert

[Edited at 2007-04-25 13:12]


 
Marsha Way
Marsha Way  Identity Verified
Mexico
Local time: 23:08
Spanish to English
+ ...
I'm the opposite Apr 25, 2007

I started teaching EFL, but my students have started to drive me crazy. I hope to someday leave teaching and dedicate myself 100% to translation. In teaching, you get to meet lots of people and interact. However, I didn't see what country you are in to be able to see if you need a specific degree for teaching (some countries do, some don't).
However, I am married with 3 children, so I have stopped looking for interaction and started valuing the silence of an empty house during the day!!!!
... See more
I started teaching EFL, but my students have started to drive me crazy. I hope to someday leave teaching and dedicate myself 100% to translation. In teaching, you get to meet lots of people and interact. However, I didn't see what country you are in to be able to see if you need a specific degree for teaching (some countries do, some don't).
However, I am married with 3 children, so I have stopped looking for interaction and started valuing the silence of an empty house during the day!!!!!!!
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Jennifer Forbes
Jennifer Forbes  Identity Verified
Local time: 05:08
French to English
+ ...
In memoriam
Tour / travel guide? Apr 25, 2007

dabro wrote:

Hey everyone
I have been translating for some time now and time has come for a change I think.

I think I have grown tired of it. The reasons are various. One of the main reasons
is that it tends to isolate me, I find myself drained at the end of the day and
I realize thath I havent spoken to a soul I am still relatively young, I've just
turned thirty. I would like to try something else, a new job...something
that especially would allow for plenty of transfers, business trips as I do have
a passion for travel. I have a brief experience in sales from 2 or 3 years back.

I am a little demoralized as I fear I wont be able to find anything.

Therefore my question to you is:

What could translating develop in? Has it developed into something else for you?
Any advice based on your previous experience?

Hullo Dabro,
What about becoming a tour or travel guide? It's probably a job that could be done part-time during the tourist season. You'd meet plenty of people, use your English and Italian and probably get to travel too. Try contacting the big "posh" or "cultural" tour operators - I could give you some names, but I'm probably not allowed to here. I don't suppose it's well paid, but it might make a change. You could still translate in the non-tourist season, too.
Best of luck,
Jenny.




d.

[Edited at 2007-04-25 11:14]


 
Natalia Eklund
Natalia Eklund  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 06:08
French to English
+ ...
Client in-house translator Apr 25, 2007

This is in comparison to an in-house translator at an agency.

I suggest this because it can be a starting point to develop into other things.

There seems to be a large demand for a 'mobile language professional' especially since some clients may want you to combine two roles, like translator and conference representative or inter-cultural training (how to write a nice email).
But I guess that depends on what area you specialize in.

This syste
... See more
This is in comparison to an in-house translator at an agency.

I suggest this because it can be a starting point to develop into other things.

There seems to be a large demand for a 'mobile language professional' especially since some clients may want you to combine two roles, like translator and conference representative or inter-cultural training (how to write a nice email).
But I guess that depends on what area you specialize in.

This system seems to work out well now, either because they have sensitive info that they don't want leaving the premises, or they like having a professional at their disposal....

In my case I have several clients wishing me to work part-time in their offices as a freelancer, so now the question is, where to find the time? especially since I developped a taste for the quiet work done at home.

Yet, I find it a much better system, since I get out, meet people, keep the power in my hands and decide my own schedule. But the most important thing is that you develop a strong relationship with your client(s).

And opportunities come from good relationships.

Maybe the Group CEO is impressed by you and hires you as a multi-lingual representative to fly all around the world on the company jet....visiting the cocoa plantations to taste chocolate!

Don't laugh! For me, I got a cruise on Lake Annessee, and a four day all-expense paid trip to Munich, including sight-seeing, a room on the Buisiness floor at the Hilton, and a visit to the giant Medieval festival hosted by the Prince of Bavaria. It was awesome AND I got paid!
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John Cutler
John Cutler  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 06:08
Spanish to English
+ ...
Two birds with one stone... Apr 25, 2007

Marsha Way wrote:

I started teaching EFL, but my students have started to drive me crazy. I hope to someday leave teaching and dedicate myself 100% to translation.


Hi, I thought I’d answer both Marsha and Dabro. All I can say is hang in there Marsha. I also taught English for 12 years and by the end I was ready to strangle some of my students
When I was offered a “3-month, 4-hour a day” on site translation project I said yes without batting an eyelash. That was six years ago and the project has turned into an on going full-time job that obviously has its ins and outs but I wouldn’t go back to teaching unless I was starving and living under a bridge.

Dabro, I agree with what others have told you here. There are many large companies that need people with language experience to work in their import/export/sales department. Don’t be afraid to send out a few CVs and see what happens!!


 
Fiona Gonçalves
Fiona Gonçalves  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 05:08
Member
Portuguese to English
+ ...
cruise lines Apr 25, 2007

On the same track as Jenny's suggestion, maybe you could think about contacting some of the cruise lines. This is a rapidly growing segment of the tourist industry and good language skills should be a bonus. You would get to meet loads of people from all over the world and travel while you do it. Although it's very hard work, it could be just what you're looking for. And don't forget, you can always go back to translating if/when the wanderlust wears off.
Good luck.
Fiona.


 
Cristina Pereira
Cristina Pereira  Identity Verified
Local time: 05:08
Member (2005)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Journalism, again Apr 25, 2007

Hi Dabro,

Like Monika, I was a journalist too for 18 years, before I decided to become a full-time freelance translator. Easy decision, as the company I worked at the time went bankrupt

But I always used my language skills at my work, doing translations, interviewing foreigners, covering conferences in foreign languages, etc. It's a pretty competitive world now, but when I started, my degree was definitel
... See more
Hi Dabro,

Like Monika, I was a journalist too for 18 years, before I decided to become a full-time freelance translator. Easy decision, as the company I worked at the time went bankrupt

But I always used my language skills at my work, doing translations, interviewing foreigners, covering conferences in foreign languages, etc. It's a pretty competitive world now, but when I started, my degree was definitely a plus in that field. And I also did some travels, thanks to the job I had.

Wish you luck,

Cristina
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Irene N
Irene N
United States
Local time: 00:08
English to Russian
+ ...
Yes, tour/travel guide Apr 26, 2007

I used to be one, even when as young as a high school kid, later on a side for the Hermitage, and then professionally as a staff tour guide of Pavlovsk Palace-Museum in the outskirts of St.-Petersburg, Russia. Loved every minute of it! Plus, in those long-gone times we could not dream of going to other countries and you can travel all over Europe and get paid!

What do you mean "fairly young"?!?!?. You are very young, kiddo:-) (if this sounds like overfamiliarity, I apologize), and y
... See more
I used to be one, even when as young as a high school kid, later on a side for the Hermitage, and then professionally as a staff tour guide of Pavlovsk Palace-Museum in the outskirts of St.-Petersburg, Russia. Loved every minute of it! Plus, in those long-gone times we could not dream of going to other countries and you can travel all over Europe and get paid!

What do you mean "fairly young"?!?!?. You are very young, kiddo:-) (if this sounds like overfamiliarity, I apologize), and you are right - change a trade for a while, go breathe some fresh air at least for a couple of years, have fun across the globe. Translation along with red eyes and aching back will not go anywhere when you come back.

Good luck!
Irene
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Thinking of Changing: What else are you doing/did you do?






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