Specialization Thread poster: Anne Diamantidis
|
|---|
Dear fellow students,
I was wondering the other day, watching some of my classmates having absolutely no idea about their future specialization, and others totally decided and already working in that sense - do you guys have already a good idea on your specialization area ? Do you have some ideas, but nothing concrete yet ? How do you proceed to specialize if you're a "regular" translation student ? Do you read articles, books, etc. by your own, or do you take extra classes in a med... See more Dear fellow students,
I was wondering the other day, watching some of my classmates having absolutely no idea about their future specialization, and others totally decided and already working in that sense - do you guys have already a good idea on your specialization area ? Do you have some ideas, but nothing concrete yet ? How do you proceed to specialize if you're a "regular" translation student ? Do you read articles, books, etc. by your own, or do you take extra classes in a med school, tech school, etc ? And for the ones who don't have a translation background, who studied a whole area and decided to go for translation, how hard was it for you ?
Many questionw, I know but specialization is indeed an essential topic for us !
We're really looking forward to your experiences and methods !
CheerZ !
Anne ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Computer Science. | Feb 19, 2008 |
Anne Diamantidis wrote: Dear fellow students, I was wondering the other day, watching some of my classmates having absolutely no idea about their future specialization, and others totally decided and already working in that sense - do you guys have already a good idea on your specialization area ? Do you have some ideas, but nothing concrete yet ? How do you proceed to specialize if you're a "regular" translation student ? Do you read articles, books, etc. by your own, or do you take extra classes in a med school, tech school, etc ? And for the ones who don't have a translation background, who studied a whole area and decided to go for translation, how hard was it for you ? Many questionw, I know but specialization is indeed an essential topic for us ! We're really looking forward to your experiences and methods ! CheerZ ! Anne
Hello Anne,
I think it's a good thing that you brought this up because most students I know have no idea either and many of them think it's not important to focus on a specific field (while I personally believe that, although you can give it a try, it's very unlikely you can be good at EVERYTHING and experience and dedication to one field is sure to improve the quality of your work).
I have already decided I will specialize in Computer Science, because it has attracted my attention ever since I was a child (I learnt to use a computer at about the same age I began to be interested in English and it was my main source of study). As for the experience, I am currently in the second half of a two-year introductory networking course and I can honestly say I really enjoy it. I am also working at a Research & Development Lab and I get to translate all these interesting articles with topics that go from E-learning to Grid Computing and Artificial Intelligence, and I learn more and more about what they do and what I am supposed to do when faced with texts like these - it's really a wonderful experience.
In fact, I should be working right now:P, so for the moment
CheerZ ProZians
Aldana-
| | | |
Hi Aldana !
Thanks for your complete and interesting answer ! Specialization is a major issue for us, background translation students.
I'm sure many of you guys have somethin to say and share on that matter ! Come on, we're waiting for your experiences !
CheerZ,
Anne
| | | | | Technology or Medicine... | Mar 11, 2008 |
Hi!
I am the one on the crossroads. I am an absolute computer freak, I enjoy medicine (diagnostics, intern, patomorphology and radiology) and I have a huge-marine-engines background (my father is a mechanic and he travelled the whole world on the huge vessels). I really don't know which to chose, and at that moment in my professional life ( 4th year of studies) I still don't know what to choose. Maybe because I can't decide my potential employess don't trust in my knowlegde of any of these... See more Hi!
I am the one on the crossroads. I am an absolute computer freak, I enjoy medicine (diagnostics, intern, patomorphology and radiology) and I have a huge-marine-engines background (my father is a mechanic and he travelled the whole world on the huge vessels). I really don't know which to chose, and at that moment in my professional life ( 4th year of studies) I still don't know what to choose. Maybe because I can't decide my potential employess don't trust in my knowlegde of any of these, what makes checking myself in any of those fields very difficult.
Ps. And there is also law... I think that all those hithereto's and thereof's were made especially for me
HugZ ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
Dorota Cooper 
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:38
English to Polish
+ ...
Well, it's quite a tough problem. As translation students we tend to have a grounding in translation/languages only (unless you're lucky). That's why I think a specialised Masters is a great springboard, and that is what I'm planning to do- although I've been fortunate enough to specialise a little already!
I don't really know what I want to specialise in, the problem is that too many things interest me (all technical, like computers, machinery etc.). It may be that I will specialis... See more Well, it's quite a tough problem. As translation students we tend to have a grounding in translation/languages only (unless you're lucky). That's why I think a specialised Masters is a great springboard, and that is what I'm planning to do- although I've been fortunate enough to specialise a little already!
I don't really know what I want to specialise in, the problem is that too many things interest me (all technical, like computers, machinery etc.). It may be that I will specialise in business communications, although I don't like it that much, those jobs just seem to keep coming my way! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Pablo Arig
Uruguay
Local time: 19:38
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Do I like it and/or is it always on high demand ? | Mar 13, 2008 |
Hello Anne,
Really an Essential topic the one you proposed. A milestone for you !!! and more too !!!
1 specialization, 2, 3 ......... n specializations ?
It's not easy for me to decide which specialization/s to choose from..
I like Computer Science, Medicine and Law, and maybe I could think of others.
1) I've heard "it's better to be good at one of them than being "regular" at the 3". Not everybody is gifted to be able to cover it all. D... See more Hello Anne,
Really an Essential topic the one you proposed. A milestone for you !!! and more too !!!
1 specialization, 2, 3 ......... n specializations ?
It's not easy for me to decide which specialization/s to choose from..
I like Computer Science, Medicine and Law, and maybe I could think of others.
1) I've heard "it's better to be good at one of them than being "regular" at the 3". Not everybody is gifted to be able to cover it all. Do you agree ? Do you think of another possibility?
2) Reality: You love "x" specialization, but is it on demand (numbers, reality, cold but true)
Those who like, e.g. Medicine and at the same time it is on high demand, that's the best combination. Reality and your like are being considered at the same time (That's as the saying says, "to kill two birds with one stone". And... I think the two birds are Essential.
3) It's not easy to decide, so let's see if we all can solve up to the most possible extent this, essential issue.
RegardZ,
Pablo.Paul ▲ Collapse
| | | | RachelG
Local time: 23:38
German to English
| RE: How to specialise?... Help! | Jul 7, 2008 |
Hi,
I am a student member of Proz. I did my degree 20 years ago and am finally doing the MA in Translation which I wanted to do all these years! It is a distance-learning course.
I just passed the first year and will be doing CAT and Corpus next term. Due to some sensory problems it is hard for me to find a job so working from home as a translator is the ideal (German into English).It has become quite urgent.
I am wondering how on earth to specialise? I see... See more Hi,
I am a student member of Proz. I did my degree 20 years ago and am finally doing the MA in Translation which I wanted to do all these years! It is a distance-learning course.
I just passed the first year and will be doing CAT and Corpus next term. Due to some sensory problems it is hard for me to find a job so working from home as a translator is the ideal (German into English).It has become quite urgent.
I am wondering how on earth to specialise? I see for example, that one medical translator (German/English - English/German) on Proz has years of experience in medicine (plus qualifications). How would I compete with that? I am interested in medicine/biology and have some knowledge. I did study it to A level. Could I get all the books I can find on medicine in English and German and keep reading and learning? I know it would be ideal to be a doctor but I don't have the time or money to spend 5 years doing that unfortunately! (whilst having no other income).
Are there any on-line specialism courses that I could be doing? I am also interested in food/ education/ society /environment/ psychology/ wildlife.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
regards,
Rachel ▲ Collapse
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Specialization | CafeTran Espresso | You've never met a CAT tool this clever!
Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer.
Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools.
Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free
Buy now! » |
| | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
