If you are thinking about applying for an internship, you might be wondering “why translate plus?” and what exactly would you learn from the experience. The below excerpt is from Lígia Juárez, a Linguistic Resources Assistant who started as an intern in June 2015, and continued working with translate plus until March 2016.
“For me, writing this mini reflection on my time at translate plus is both good and bad. It’s good because it means that I really enjoyed my internship experience at translate plus, which is why I want to recommend them. It is bad because it means that I have reached the end of my internship.
Whilst working at translate plus, my duties mainly included screening applications from linguists who sent their CVs, writing adverts for future projects on various translators’ websites, setting up linguists in the internal database to expand our pool of linguists and getting new linguists on board, among many other duties.
One of the interpersonal skills I developed was my communication skills. Frequent interactions and clear verbal and written communication skills were essential. I worked on and improved many other different skills that are applicable in our day-to-day lives, such as time management, decision making and working on projects with my colleagues from start to finish.
If you wish to become a freelance translator, this is the perfect role. While I was working as an intern, I had an insight into the translator’s life and I learnt how best to sell myself as a future freelance linguist. Even though working under pressure and handling projects with tight deadlines is challenging at times, it was definitely well worth the experience.
Although I did learn many transferable skills during the internship, I have to say that the best part of it was the people I met at translate plus. Most of my colleagues were from Europe (and beyond!); I realised after just a week that I was privileged to be part of a team that embraced culture and diversity – I managed to learn from each one of them without even moving from my desk!
Talking about colleagues, I have to mention my Team Manager and the Linguistic Resources Coordinator. They both helped me to understand the importance of communication, respect and diplomacy within an office environment. They supported me in every way possible and helped me to exceed professionally, and to some extent, personally.
I heard from many of my friends and peers about how unhappy they were after their internship experiences because they didn’t learn half of what they thought they would learn. That makes me feel very lucky to be part of translate plus, as it gave me a clear vision of how the translation industry works. As I move on to complete my BA at university, I look forward to transferring all the skills that I have learned here at translate plus! As I previously mentioned, the wonderful people working here, made everything smoother and easier.”