| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Would you want to work as an in-house translator? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Would you want to work as an in-house translator?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Mary Worby 
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:05
German to English
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All the work and none of the perks of self-employment, why would I want to do that!
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In my full-time jobs, 1973-1987, part of my assignment was translation. It was a major part until 1980, and then tapered off gradually.
No grudges at all, but for me it's history. Now I enjoy variety in my assignments and the freedom to choose.
| | | | Cecilia Civetta
Italy
Local time: 23:05
Member (2003)
Italian to Spanish
+ ...
Not now. I did it already, many years ago.
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I spent half my career as an in-house translator. I loved the work and having colleagues around to talk with, but at this stage in my life I'm loving the flexibility of a freelance life even more.
| | | | John Cutler
Spain
Local time: 23:05
Spanish to English
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I'm sure I'd learn a lot, but I'd miss my pyjamas.
| | | | | Couldn't say it better myself! | Feb 5, 2014 |
Muriel Vasconcellos wrote:
I spent half my career as an in-house translator. I loved the work and having colleagues around to talk with, but at this stage in my life I'm loving the flexibility of a freelance life even more.
| | | | DianeGM
Local time: 00:05
Member (2006)
Dutch to English
+ ...
| Not today ... | Feb 5, 2014 |
Every job has its pros and cons, freelancing suits me, my family and our needs perfectly right now, for lots of reasons, plus I like where I live and I'd have to move or commute to work for someone else and I don't think I'd like that ...
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Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 06:05
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Agree with John completely | Feb 5, 2014 |
John Cutler wrote: I'm sure I'd learn a lot, but I'd miss my pyjamas.
Yes, fluffy wabbit slippers probably wouldn't make it past the security guard. 
| | | | | If I could walk there | Feb 5, 2014 |
If a translation company opened up five minutes down the road, I'd think about it. Otherwise the lack of a commute is one of the most attractive things about freelancing for me, so I'd be loath to give it up.
| | | | | with Mary, John, Julian | Feb 5, 2014 |
and everybody else who appreciates the benefits of freelancing (after being employed)
I think it's like "once you go black, you never go back" kinda..
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It makes life a lot easier when it's raining
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Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 22:05
| No, not really | Feb 5, 2014 |
I have worked in a company where I was the only translator, and in a multilingual organisation where I was not employed as a translator, so I have never really been under the microscope, as it were, while in the process of translation.
Sometimes, I wriggle around a lot, and stretch and pull faces, and laugh (at the text), and occasionally make slurping noises when I drink my coffee, or sing arbitrary bits of songs to keep me motivated, or say two possible versions of a translated se... See more I have worked in a company where I was the only translator, and in a multilingual organisation where I was not employed as a translator, so I have never really been under the microscope, as it were, while in the process of translation.
Sometimes, I wriggle around a lot, and stretch and pull faces, and laugh (at the text), and occasionally make slurping noises when I drink my coffee, or sing arbitrary bits of songs to keep me motivated, or say two possible versions of a translated sentence aloud*. None of these delightful habits would really be accepted in an office environment.
I never was a particular fan of office chatter. I would hate it now if an office mate interrupted my translation thought processes to tell me about the latest cool colour of nail varnish, or something.
* Forgot to mention the swearing on account of the typos, dammit.
[Edited at 2014-02-05 16:48 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Damien Poussier
France
Local time: 23:05
Member (2012)
English to French
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Depends. Could I still get up at one in the afternoon?
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 17:05
English to Spanish
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| Been there, done that | Feb 5, 2014 |
Allison Wright wrote: Sometimes, I wriggle around a lot, and stretch and pull faces, and laugh (at the text), and occasionally make slurping noises when I drink my coffee, or sing arbitrary bits of songs to keep me motivated, or say two possible versions of a translated sentence aloud*. None of these delightful habits would really be accepted in an office environment. I never was a particular fan of office chatter. I would hate it now if an office mate interrupted my translation thought processes to tell me about the latest cool colour of nail varnish, or something.
When I finished my BA in translation, I wanted to be an in-house translator really, really bad. I fulfilled my wish more than once, but I learned some lessons along the way:
- Translation is serious work that requires a lot of concentration. I disliked being interrupted or having my manager ask me to drop everything for some urgent request.
- The focus required for translation requires your own space: so, I ended up hating those bullpens and open office environments, as well as the office noise, the random cellphone beeps and such.
- I loved having colleagues and like-minded people to talk and spar on ideas, but I really disliked the office politics, the American way to be corporate nice but personally offended.
- I never quite understood the American way of corporate culture in the sense that they encourage you to be sincere, offer solutions and think outside the box...as long as they like what you have to say.
- Perhaps when expecting a manager to act like a mentor was asking too much. I've worked with some challenging managers, but the last one was a waste of human skin: no self confidence, no initiative, below-average intelligence and only looking for number one (herself). Sometimes I wondered how she got a degree in software development in the first place.
Right now, I live the best of both worlds. I'm on a renewable contract that equals a full-time job, I attend teleconference meetings once or twice a week (but they only last 30 minutes), I collaborate with my team peers, but I don't have to deal with the micromanaging of projects or the ungodly interruptions.
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