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I want to work in translation/interpretation. What skills are most valued by employers in these industries?

I'm in 12th grade and will begin my undergraduate studies this fall at Tufts University. I plan to double Major in International Relations and Spanish. This fall, I will also be studying abroad in Peru through Tufts Civic Semester.

spring26 careeradvice careerdevelopment collegebound linguistics studyabroad translation internationalrelations interpretation languagelearning multilingual tuftsuniversity
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Hector’s Answer

Hi Lily,

Thank you for sharing your questions. Employers looking for professionals in the translation/interpretation usually value:

-Near-native fluency + cultural competence (register, slang, regional differences).
-Excellent writing in English and Spanish (clear, accurate, consistent tone), ,think about if you want to focus on any particular language/culture.
-Accuracy under pressure (listening, memory, note-taking, and calm delivery for interpreting).
-Professional standards (confidentiality, neutrality, ethics).

A portfolio and references (short sample translations, terminology glossaries, and documented projects).
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Hector’s Answer

Hi Lily,

Thanks for reaching out with your questions. Employers in translation and interpretation often look for:

- Near-native fluency and cultural understanding, including slang and regional differences.
- Strong writing skills in both English and Spanish, with a clear and consistent tone. Consider if you want to focus on a specific language or culture.
- The ability to stay accurate under pressure, including good listening, memory, note-taking, and calm interpreting.
- Professional standards like confidentiality, neutrality, and ethics.

I recommend making a list of organizations where you'd like to apply for internships. Gaining experience and building a network can really boost your career.

Good luck!
Hector Ortiz
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Anthony’s Answer

Please, note the following, concerning skills for translation/interpretation:-
1. Satisfactory knowledge in the SOURCE language and the TARGET language. For example, translating from English (SOURCE language), to French (TARGET language).
2. It is very worthwhile, especially if the TARGET language is your native language. There is more understanding in your local language.
3. Good writing skills.
4. Good speaking and listening skills, especially for INTERPRETATION.
Best regards.
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