Hello,
I would like to get some advice from people who already have experience in the translation field to know how I could start my career path as a translator. Actually, I am almost done studying a master's in Biochemistry in the USA and I got my bachelor in Biology. My native language is Spanish and I think I am doing very well with English, since I have spent the last 3 years in USA using English and reading a lot of scientist articles during my master's. I am interested in English, travel and science and I see that becoming a translator would allow me to enjoy those fields. Specifically, I am thinking about becoming a freelancer scientific translator, since I have a background in science. Thus, my questions are: how I can start working in this field, since I do not have any experience? Should I do any kind of course first? Do you know about any good online certificate or something similar? I would prefer to get any kind of online certification since it would allow me to have a flexible schedule. I f you could let me know your advises it would be very helpful.
Thanks.
6 comments
Perhaps you could start with an internship in a translation agency. It could be very stressful, demanding and time consuming and not very rewarding, but you would also learn the ropes (including the use of CAT tools) and hopefully this could turn into full-time employment or, at the very least, serve as a stepping stone for other opportunities. As for credentials, maybe something to prove your knowledge of English, such as the IELTS test.
Judging by what you wrote, perhaps what you're looking for are flexibility and freedom, but I fear that without a stable and full-time commitment it would be quite difficult to become a professional translator and/or make a living out of it (even freelance translators don't have all the "freedom" that term would seem to imply...).
Thank you for your advice.
Hello,
In relation to what you mentioned about doing an internship, do you know if there is the possibility of doing any online?.
Thanks.
I am sorry, but I have no idea. Perhaps some agencies might do that, but I wouldn't know which ones... Unless someone else here knows, I fear you would have to search online and contact them directly.
Look foe CTP. They provide an online on with certification on translation.
http://translatorcertification.com/. Good luck!
I just wanna know how I can start to work as a translator. I really know how to give the first step to get start.