Training to Help Get Started in the Translation Industry - Translation Training Overview

Training to Help Get Started in the Translation Industry - Translation Training Overview

Starting a new career as a translator can be intimidating for someone with little job experience or knowledge of the industry. Fortunately, there are many training programs designed for new translators. You can choose to attend a training course at a university or college, take a seminar, or enroll in an online program. Getting a certification such as the CTP, or Certified Translation Professional, can help you advance your career. Please be aware that a certification is no substitute for real-world experience, however. You should always be honest with your clients; do not try to claim years of experience that you do not have.

Campus-based training programs can be good choices for those who prefer to learn in a traditional classroom setting. Few universities offer these programs, however, and they can be time-consuming. Tuition can also be expensive. By attending these courses, you will learn about industry standards, best practices, and ethics. You will also study your target language. These training programs are particularly good for people who do not have a bachelor's degree in translation, but can work well for anyone who has the time and money to spare.

Seminars and conferences offer quick certification. In fact, many seminars allow you to get a certification in two to five days. While this method is certainly the fastest, it is also the most expensive way to get your CTP designation. You should expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1,995 for one of these programs. If you need certification right away and have a little extra money, a seminar-based program might be a good choice for you. Seminars and conferences also offer the opportunity to talk to professionals with years of experience.

Online translator certification programs are growing more popular by the day. These programs are flexible, inexpensive, and provide learning material in a variety of different formats. Of course, you will need to be self-motivated and have good time management skills in order to take advantage of these programs. An online course is the best choice if you have a full-time job or other obligation and need the extra flexibility. Online programs are easier to update than traditional courses, so they generally teach cutting-edge practices. One of the most popular certification programs is the Certified Translation Professional program. This course takes anywhere from two to eight months to complete. Expect to pay $300 to $700 for an online certification program.

-By Adriana Tassini

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