| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you enjoy your job as much as you did when you first started? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you enjoy your job as much as you did when you first started?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Natalia Pedrosa (X) 
Local time: 10:08
English to Spanish
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I enjoy the artistic side of it, i.e., the translation/edition process.
I do hate client research and ongoing (daily and even hourly) job applications.
Ciao, ciao
Natalia
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 10:08
Spanish to English
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Although the downside can become wearing when negative experiences start to accumulate, for me the satisfaction when things work out outweighs it.
My advice is to anyone (not just translators) in the same job after a few years of increasing dissatisfaction is to look elsewhere. We (well, especially Brits) do like a good moan but if you find that complaining is ALL you are doing when thinking/talking about work, then I'd say it's time to consider other options.
To have ... See more Although the downside can become wearing when negative experiences start to accumulate, for me the satisfaction when things work out outweighs it.
My advice is to anyone (not just translators) in the same job after a few years of increasing dissatisfaction is to look elsewhere. We (well, especially Brits) do like a good moan but if you find that complaining is ALL you are doing when thinking/talking about work, then I'd say it's time to consider other options.
To have a job that you enjoy is a bonus in a world where many are simply wage slaves - this was brought home to me when on an interpreting job in a factory for a week. Even though I came in 2 hours later than the shop floor workers and was only there for 4 days, it was a grim experience compared to the freedom of freelancing.
So yes, otherwise I think it's best to get out while the going's good. Life ¡s too short to waste in a dead-end situation. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Evans (X)
Local time: 09:08
Spanish to English
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| The more you do it, the better you are, the greater the satisfaction. | Oct 21, 2011 |
When I started out I translated a lot of material that I learnt a lot about but was not really interested in. That was a long time ago, and now I work only in fields in which I am already knowledgeable and interested, so it's a delight. I also do a better job because I have so much more experience, so there's plenty of job satisfaction thrown in. If it didn't love the process of translating I'd have turned to something else long ago.
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Mary Worby
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:08
German to English
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Gilla Evans wrote:
When I started out I translated a lot of material that I learnt a lot about but was not really interested in. That was a long time ago, and now I work only in fields in which I am already knowledgeable and interested, so it's a delight. I also do a better job because I have so much more experience, so there's plenty of job satisfaction thrown in. If it didn't love the process of translating I'd have turned to something else long ago.
Gilla is spot on. Increasing experience means confidence to accept only the work you are really good at.
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 10:08
English to French
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When you have a good and long-standing relation with your customers and you are tired or bored with one subject, you can change subjects... or (end) client.
I got weary of welding, machines, roofing material and other technical translations one agency was feeding me abundantly; switched to (mainly) EU texts on various subjects for several years, until they implemented their portal and forgot all about the human factor in a relationship; then I went into press releases and other “u... See more When you have a good and long-standing relation with your customers and you are tired or bored with one subject, you can change subjects... or (end) client.
I got weary of welding, machines, roofing material and other technical translations one agency was feeding me abundantly; switched to (mainly) EU texts on various subjects for several years, until they implemented their portal and forgot all about the human factor in a relationship; then I went into press releases and other “urgent” jobs for a while, often about IT.
For the past 5 years or so, I have been working on a huge legal project with enough aspects and sides to keep me enthused; and for variety, I still work on minor projects about art and culture, tourism, finance, cooperation and development, human rights…
A constant renewal or new start without changing jobs or positions.
How could I not enjoy the challenge? ▲ Collapse
| | | | Patricia Charnet
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:08
Member (2009)
English to French
yes very much so
occasionally I get some negative experiences, but over the years I've been getting sharper and sharper at anticipating them, so there are less and less frequent. Patterns emerge with negative experiences.
So, overall, it's a great satisfaction jobwise and moneywise
also, younger professionals are less likely to put up with the rubbish that the older translators had to do with... See more
| | | | Angus Stewart
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:08
Member (2011)
French to English
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| Yes, much more | Oct 21, 2011 |
In addition, to the points already mentioned I find that as I become more established I am able to spend more time actually translating and less time on other aspects of the business of translation. When I was first started, I had to spend a disproportionate amount of time getting to grips with CAT tools, trying to market my services and other business related issues. Whilst I still have to devote time to those issues, I enjoy my job much more now that I am able to focus more on the actual trans... See more In addition, to the points already mentioned I find that as I become more established I am able to spend more time actually translating and less time on other aspects of the business of translation. When I was first started, I had to spend a disproportionate amount of time getting to grips with CAT tools, trying to market my services and other business related issues. Whilst I still have to devote time to those issues, I enjoy my job much more now that I am able to focus more on the actual translation. ▲ Collapse
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| Good question. | Oct 21, 2011 |
Thanks!
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I do enjoy my job even more as I did when I first started. I haven't grown tired of the great satisfaction that produces me to deliver a high quality translation and the idea that my work brings a better, more transparent communication.
I am still as fascinated as ever by the subtle differences between two different languages and cultures and how to express those differences in an understandable way.
But now, I am able to translate more, being more established, and pr... See more I do enjoy my job even more as I did when I first started. I haven't grown tired of the great satisfaction that produces me to deliver a high quality translation and the idea that my work brings a better, more transparent communication.
I am still as fascinated as ever by the subtle differences between two different languages and cultures and how to express those differences in an understandable way.
But now, I am able to translate more, being more established, and profit from my hard earned skills as specialist. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 10:08
Member (2009)
English to German
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| Yes, very much so | Oct 21, 2011 |
Interesting projects, the satisfaction accomplishment brings and once even a "thank you" note sent by the agency on behalf of their end client, and the opportunity to grow and learn are the foundations of my enjoyment of translating. These even outweight the not so enjoyable part of the profession, having to chase payment.
Signs say that ten years from now my answer to this question will be the same as today.
| | | | | I love it more! | Oct 21, 2011 |
I enjoy it even more because
-->I got better at it, over the years (more tools, more experience, more resources, etc.)
-->I now have more clients which also means that I can select projects/content I enjoy most
-->I increased my rates, compared to when I first started
-->I realize that the flexibility of being your own boss is priceless!
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| I have a professional mid-life crisis | Oct 21, 2011 |
I would like to register at a cooking school and become a pastry maker. But since I don't have the money, I'll continue translating. It's not as much fun as it used to be, but it's become easier.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 10:08
Spanish to English
+ ...
Angus Stewart wrote:
When I was first started, I had to spend a disproportionate amount of time getting to grips with CAT tools, trying to market my services and other business related issues. Whilst I still have to devote time to those issues, I enjoy my job much more now that I am able to focus more on the actual translation.
My thoughts exactly! Everything except the actual nitty gritty of language work is just a chore from my point of view, even layouts or formatting.
| | | | | I like it more | Oct 23, 2011 |
I have settled down to working mostly for a couple of clients whose work I really enjoy, accepting an occasional new client if the subject interests me.
I work faster and more efficiently, and I don't fret as much as I used to. I feel very lucky.
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