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College Tips for Future Translator

Written by Sally Rubenstone | Nov. 4, 2011

Question: I want to study translation (where you translate documents from one language to another). But I don't know which schools offer this. Is there another way that this is said? I would feel honored if you answered my question. Thank you.

You'll find a lot of information about your intended career field in this article from the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos175.htm#training

As you'll see when you read it, you will need to be fluent in at least two languages, but you don't necessarily have to formally study translation in college. However, a number of colleges and universities do offer a major in Language Translation/Interpretation. To find such schools that meet your other preferences as well, do a search on College Confidential's SuperMatch. (http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/) and the College Board's Matchmaker (http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/adv_typeofschool.jsp)

If no colleges come up on your "Results" lists, try varying other preferences (size, location, etc.)

This article provides a list of the “top" 10 translation graduate and certificate programs: http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2009/09/23/top-10-us-translation-schools/ (Some of these schools offer undergraduate programs as well).

Extensive foreign language skills will come in handy if you pursue this career, but also familiarity with another area (e.g., law, science, economics) can enhance your demand as a translator.

Good luck! Veel geluk! Edu! Gangi þér vel! Bonne chance! Удачи! Ngikufisela iwela!

(posted 11/3/2011)

Sally Rubenstone

Sally Rubenstone knows the competitive and often convoluted college admission process inside out: From the first time the topic of college comes up at the dinner table until the last duffel bag is unloaded on a dorm room floor. She is the co-author of Panicked Parents' Guide to College Admissions; The Transfer Student's Guide to Changing Colleges and The International Student's Guide to Going to College in America. Sally has appeared on NBC's Today program and has been quoted in countless publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Weekend, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, People and Seventeen. Sally has viewed the admissions world from many angles: As a Smith College admission counselor for 15 years, an independent college counselor serving students from a wide range of backgrounds and the author of College Confidential's "Ask the Dean" column. She also taught language arts, social studies, study skills and test preparation in 10 schools, including American international schools in London, Paris, Geneva, Athens and Tel Aviv. As senior advisor to College Confidential since 2002, Sally has helped hundreds of students and parents navigate the college admissions maze. In 2008, she co-founded College Karma, a private college consulting firm, with her College Confidential colleague Dave Berry, and she continues to serve as a College Confidential advisor. Sally and her husband, Chris Petrides, became first-time parents in 1997 at the ripe-old age of 45. So Sally was nearly an official senior citizen when her son Jack began the college selection process, and when she was finally able to practice what she had preached for more than three decades.