Careers in Interpreting and Translation

Leonard Orban, the European Commissioner for Multilingualism, believes that a career in translation and other related fields is among the most attractive in the current climate.

"The language industry is one of the sectors in which high-quality jobs are being created worldwide, notwithstanding the financial crisis. Hence there are attractive job opportunities for graduates with the right qualifications."

One such qualification is offered by the University of Warwick in the UK. Regarded as having some of the best graduate translation programs available in Europe, the university's Centre for Translation and Comparative Cultural Studies offers three master's programs: Translation Studies, Translation, Media and Cultural Transfer, and Translation, Writing and Cultural Difference.

The Masters in Translation Studies aims to examine translation in context and looks at different ways in which the translation of texts from one culture to another can leave them open to different interpretation and manipulation.

Katherine Ong from Singapore graduated from Warwick's Masters in Translation, Writing and Cultural Difference in 2007 and now works as an editorial assistant for an academic publisher in London.

She was attracted to the unique interdisciplinary nature of the course. "Combining theoretical and creative elements with a cultural perspective, was really appealing. I enjoyed the challenges of working between different departments, drawing on diverse areas of expertise and developing skills in new areas such as creative writing.

"It was particularly rewarding to have contact with, and learn from, people who translate and write professionally. I got to spend a week with the Royal Shakespeare Company as an interpreter backstage on a production by the Berliner Ensemble. My MA year was an extremely worthwhile experience and when it came to looking for a job I felt I had a great deal more to offer as a result."

There is no doubt that with the increasing internationalization of government, business and other employment sectors, high-level skills in different languages will be vital to have in the future. 

Translation studies opens doors to a range of exciting international careers at a time when some of the more traditional employment routes for master's students are under some pressure.