I edit, proofread, and reformat documents, marketing materials, brochures, and anything else that needs translating. I've also recorded voice-overs, so that could be me on your language tape!

EDUCATION | Associate's Degree

HOW TO GET STARTED | Immerse yourself in other languages and cultures by traveling. It's important to know the nuances of language in different countries because translation must be culturally sensitive and not just a literal translation, word for word. Test your ability to spot errors in everything around you, from newspaper articles to books, if you spot things others miss, you'll know you've got a knack for it.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | Excellent English language skills. Knowledge of foreign languages and cultures. Detail-oriented. Mental agility.

how I got started | I've immersed myself in languages since high school, even spending my junior year in Belgium as an exchange student. I've always been fascinated by languages, even English, which I worked hard to perfect. I read a lot, and learn new vocabulary in several languages. I started out as an entry-level proofreader and editor but moved into post-translation work because of my strong foreign language skills. When you're up for a proofreading position, potential employers usually give you a proofreading test. I passed my first without missing a single error, and from there it really wasn't difficult to find work.

why this job?| I love languages! Plus, I'm very detail-oriented, so combing through translations to make sure they're grammatically correct is very satisfying for my inner perfectionist.

why I love this job!| Because of the constant variety of materials with which I work, this job is never boring. I get to learn something new every day. I'm constantly exposed to other cultures, languages, and subject matter.

my typical day| There really is no typical day. Some days I'm proofreading a letter in twenty different languages, other days I could be formatting documents post-translation so page formats are consistent. Maybe I'm in the recording studio doing a voice-over, "dubbing" audio/visual tracks.

what they are | Workflow fluctuations can be challenging, sometimes you're slammed and other times not so busy. It's also a challenge to coordinate deadlines on an international scale with differing holidays, time zones, etc. It's a real challenge dealing with translation even with today's technology.

all about growth | As an editor, there are great growth opportunities, as well as lateral mobility. Just about anything written is also edited and proofread. As a foreign language proofreader, there's always work thanks to global trade and the laws specifying that everything (from product labels to advertisements) must be written in the language of the consumer.

my website| http://www.thegeogroup.com/