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Getting over the hump. Or: long-term career development for translators

by Sarah Dillon

spring
One of the best things about being a freelance translator is that it is entirely up to you how your career develops. I’ve always found that very empowering. But of course, one of the worst things about being a freelance translator is that it is entirely up to you how your career develops. It’s not always easy to handle that degree of choice.

Jed Schmidt, the original globe-trotting translator, says that translators have three options when it comes to developing long-term careers in translation. They can go deep, and immerse themselves so thoroughly in a particular area they become the go-to translator for that niche. They can go wide, and expand into providing other translation-related services. Or they can go fish: leave translation itself behind but move into a job that is still part of the wider translation industry.

I think it’s safe to say I have thoroughly explored all three options over the past five years. Before last year, I had always set myself challenges in terms of the kinds of clients I wanted to work with, or the kind of translation projects I wanted to work on. I was always thinking about what other step I could take, to move forward, to try something new and to consolidate what I had already done.

Then my energy and motivation levels flagged badly in 2009. (I tried to blog about this often, but found it too hard at the time.) I had always loved deciding which aspect of translation I was going to explore next. But it had come to a point where, while there were lots of things I knew I could do, there was nothing I felt I simply had to do anymore.

I knew for sure that I didn’t want to stagnate – the road to translation hell is paved with translators who stagnated – but I was done exploring. I knew what I liked and what I didn’t like, in which circumstances I worked well and when I was better off leaving an opportunity for someone else.

I just didn’t know which option to choose.

So my aim for 2010 was to make no sudden moves, professionally speaking. No matter how tempted, I wanted to give myself a year to just wait it out, to let the dust settle and to see what emerged.

And that’s exactly what I did, and it happened to be an awesome year. Satisfying projects, wonderful clients and financially rewarding, too. All seemed well in the world.

Then, about two weeks ago, something emerged. It was just right and I knew. On Friday, I’ll tell you what it was 🙂

Photo credit: spring from rafaelm ‘s photostream on Flickr.

Filed Under: Moi, Professional development, Translation profession and industry Tagged With: career development

About Sarah Dillon

Sarah Dillon is an Irish cailín in Brisbane, Australia. She arrived Down Under via Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, and the UK, having originally trained as a professional translator. Sarah has been involved in the start-up phases of several international small businesses as a founder, advisor and director, and has worked for companies such as Apple Computers, Audi AG and Bain and Company. She is currently pursuing a PhD in international entrepreneurship. Read more about Sarah here.

Comments

  1. Translate-Shadab says

    3 March, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    Its good that you are able to fit yourself in all three areas mention by you, I really appreciate your hard work an passion to get that, but i doubt for its possible for each translators and many of them will only opted for either of them or maximum two them, but yes its GOOD to explore yourself into different areas to learn new and different challenges of life.

  2. Bob Kerns says

    11 February, 2011 at 4:08 am

    I know too from another source, but it’s still only Thursday in Germany so I’m saying nothing more here, other than congratulations!!

    • Sarah Dillon says

      11 February, 2011 at 5:32 am

      Danke schön, Bob!

  3. céline says

    10 February, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    There’s a newsletter solely dedicated to Sarah??

    • Sarah Dillon says

      11 February, 2011 at 5:29 am

      I know, right?! Can you believe it, I’m that good. Subscription is by invitation only. With extremely fuzzy joining requirements… 😉

      Then there’s the eCPD newsletter that was sent out to past webinar attendees earlier today.

      • Jonathan Downie says

        11 February, 2011 at 7:51 am

        You’ve given it away now!

  4. Ewa Erdmann says

    10 February, 2011 at 9:04 pm

    I already know!!! Got a newsletter with the info but I will let you spill the beans first 🙂 Congrats!!!

  5. Marga Burke says

    10 February, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Ooh, I’m intrigued! Is it Friday yet? 🙂

  6. Zachary Overline says

    10 February, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    Hey there, Agatha Christie, you can’ t just leave your readers hangin’ like that. It’s like making us stop halfway through a nice pee — it stings!

    Hurry up and spill the beans, missy 🙂

    • Sarah Dillon says

      11 February, 2011 at 5:23 am

      Heaven forbid I’d ever be responsible for making you sting, Zachery.

      Hang on – are you comparing my prose to pee?! (Come to think of it, it’s been called a lot worse :D)

      • Zachary Overline says

        11 February, 2011 at 10:54 am

        I most certainly am not! I’m comparing it to that shakey, shivery feeling of relief that one gets after a good pee 🙂

        Please don’ t make me extend this metaphor any further.

        Hehe. And it’s Friday. Tell us, tell us!

  7. Ewa Erdmann says

    10 February, 2011 at 5:09 am

    Exciting times for you Sarah! You see, best things happen when you simply let go. No pressure means that you can open for new opportunities, and they DO come 🙂 Good luck with your new venture!

  8. céline says

    9 February, 2011 at 10:15 pm

    Exciting stuff! I’m in a similar place minus the new development. Embracing stagnation and actually enjoying it!

  9. Susanne Schmidt-Wussow says

    9 February, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    Uuuh, how exciting! Can’t wait for the mystery to unravel!

  10. Alexis Wallace says

    9 February, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    That makes three of us! Thanks for the inspirational post, too.

    • Alexis Wallace says

      9 February, 2011 at 7:22 pm

      (Four, I see now.)

  11. Jonathan Downie says

    9 February, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    Will watch with interest. Personally, I hope to combine options 1) and 3)

    • Sarah Dillon says

      11 February, 2011 at 5:19 am

      Thanks Jonathan. I think I’ve just ticked option 3) with this move. But like you, I’d like to combine it: I’m still toying with ideas on a direction for option 1).

      • Jonathan Downie says

        11 February, 2011 at 7:49 am

        At least I now know the news. Congrats!

        To be honest, I want to try and add a bit of 2 in as well, if you count interpreting as a “translation related activity”…

        Out of interest, what will happen to your clients with this new move?

  12. Kari Koonin says

    9 February, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    Me too – am intrigued.

  13. Philippa Hammond says

    9 February, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    I’m staying tuned!

Trackbacks

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    9 February, 2011 at 8:55 am

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