So I have 0 idea about what I want to be when I grow up but I still seem to be growing up pretty fast. Anyway, I was thinking it might be cool to be a translator. However, I don’t want to get into anything I don’t know much about (which might be why I haven’t picked a major yet) so I’m trying to find out SOMEthing about this as a career. But, I’m having a hard time finding ANYthing about it online or otherwise.
So if you know something Please let me know. I’m looking for things such as what degrees I’d need, where jobs can be found, what I’d have to do at that job, salaries, and/or anything else you can think of.
And I’d also like to know how you got the information so I can keep looking on my own.
Thank you so much!!
First of all, how old are you and how many languages do you REALLY speak?
If the answer is >15 and 1 (English) don’t even bother, it’s probably going to get you nowhere.
The first thing you need to have is Languages. That means a good knowledge of at least 2 foreign languages, and an EXCELLENT knowledge of your mother tongue. Excellent knowledge doesn’t mean that you can write to your friends in fluent english, it means that you can read every single article in the newspaper and not have a single word you don’t know (well, almost).
If you have that, you could already start to work in the free market, as a freelancer or in collaboration with a translation agency. A degree is desireable, but there are many translators out there without a translation degree (I’m one of them).
Salaries are based on a supply/demand basis (mind you, we’re not even talking salaries here, it’s usually a pay-per-assignment job), which means that the better you are and/or the fewer competitors you have, the most money you’ll make (per assignment).
If freelancing is too frustrating for you, you can apply for a job in an international or major organisation (Ministry of Foreign affairs, Embassies, Nato, UN, NAFTA etc), where the money is usually good regardless of what you do
This is an intro pack, if you need more information learn a couple of languages and hit me back with more specific questions!