Übersetzen, Dolmetschen und Lokalisierungsmanagement bei MIIS

I recently had the chance to chat via Skype with 2013 Translation & Localization Management (TLM) graduate Magdalena Adam. After graduating, she returned to Germany where she works in Kraiburg am Inn as a freelance German translator. She says she primarily works on “what comes [her] way” but has begun specializing in medicine and finance. She currently translates monthly financial blogs for a direct client in the UK and uses the online translation platform proz.com to find jobs. In addition to translation, she has also done work editing for a medical translation agency. At this stage in her career, she is trying to establish herself as a go-to contact for clients and not just one used when more experienced translators are not available. She enjoys working as a freelancer because it gives her more flexibility and keeps her free to work on larger jobs.

Although Magdalena does not want go into project management, she says that “every [course] [she] took was very helpful,” including the localization and project management courses. The TLM curriculum represents “a great way to get the big picture.” Magdalena says she is better informed and has a better idea of “what’s going on in the industry” because of the TLM program.

She stressed the importance of learning how to use and staying current with CAT tools and TM software (Professor Muegge would be proud!). The Trados training she received at MIIS allows her to get more work because many agencies “demand that you can work with Trados.”

One course in particular that helped prepare her for life after MIIS was “Translation & Interpretation as a Profession” by Julie Johnson. She said it was “really helpful” in preparing her for life as a freelancer after graduation. She went to every course session even though it was not mandatory to attend every class. When it comes to finding internships, she says we should turn to MIIS alumni who are already working in the fields we are trying to enter. Alumni not only helped her find work, they also gave her tips on working as a freelancer.

Magdalena’s advice to current TLM students is straightforward: Try a variety of classes in order to figure out what you’re interested in, build relationships with the faculty, and ask for their guidance. MIIS offers a unique environment where we have knowledgeable and supportive people all around us who want to see us succeed. She says that once you’re gone, it’s hard to get advice except by e-mail. This is why it is important to utilize the faculties as resources while we are still at MIIS.

Not surprisingly, the first thing she said she missed about living in Monterey was the ocean. Next came the friends she made here and the unique “mixture of cultures” that make up our student body.  Magdalena says being a freelance translator has always been her “dream.” We can all be happy to see she is making this dream come true.