What do I want to be when I grow up? A career path of a translator

 Ciklopea’s Andrea Mataija has the most exciting career path. She started as a translator and transitioned into project management and financial controlling at a translation company.

Read on to find out how she did it. 

Why did you become a translator and what path did you take to get to this point in your career?

Andrea Mataija

I have been in translation for over fifteen years.  While studying German language and linguistics, I started translating for several agencies so I could finance my tuition and stay, as that was the easiest way to earn money while controlling my time and the quantity of work.  The response from the agencies was hugely positive so I intensified in my work.  Often I would get very frustrated reading bad translations in German, especially texts relating to tourism that would by the end of it get a whole different meaning. I wanted to change something in that respect.  After translating I transitioned into Project Management and Controlling. Project Management seemed like a varied and fast-paced job, which I liked, just as I did cooperating with people from different countries and languages. I guess I got lucky as I get to do what I really love in life. As far as financial controlling is concerned, that part happened quite by accident but math, logic and economy have always been very interesting to me.

How did you land your first translation/PM job?

My first job was at a job portal posao.hr where I worked for two years.

What has been your biggest professional challenge?

The biggest challenge is being a part of big projects, translating the source material into a foreign language and producing something fantastic while at it.

On that note, what has been your biggest professional reward?

Customer satisfaction for both translation and project management is the biggest reward.

Are there any pitfalls to avoid in the translation business and what advice would you give to an up and coming translator?

To my younger colleagues I would advise not holding on to absolutely everything they learn at school. When translating at a professional level, your first consideration must be for the specific sector demands and the wishes of the client. ‘Living the language’ to which you are translating is most important. Language changes through time and it is important to incorporate the languages you use into your everyday life.  If you want to be a professional translator you must visit the countries where your language is spoken, speak to natives and really be able to think in that language. If you do not nurture the language as time passes the quality of your translations will suffer.

What are the personal qualities or skills that make a successful translator?

A professional translator must know the languages from and to which they are translating. They have to be detailed and patient, speedy and available, while constantly honing their language skills. Also, flexibility is important as the demands of the clients can be varied. 

What do you do when you are not working?

I live.