Building a successful career in translation and interpreting: Insights from ITI members

In our recent Ask Me Anything session, three experienced ITI members - Paul Appleyard FITI, Carmen Swanwick-Roa MITI and Ulrike Nichols MITI - shared invaluable advice for a group of our Student and Junior Associate members, but which may be of interest to members at all stages of their career. Here are their key insights to help you navigate and grow your language services career.

Finding your niche takes time

Don't expect to have everything figured out immediately. Carmen noted that while she now specialises in medical and international development translation for UN organisations, this focus developed gradually. Similarly, Paul's career evolved from primarily translation work to mainly interpreting. The message is clear: your career path will likely shift and refine over time as you discover what you enjoy and where demand meets your skills. 

The power of networking cannot be overstated:

All three panellists emphasised that networking is perhaps the single most important factor in building a sustainable career. Carmen shared that she has received work referrals from former classmates, colleagues from past projects, and even her mentor from ITI's Medical and Pharmaceutical Network's mentoring programme over a decade ago. 

In short: it's never too early to start building relationships. You can do this by attending conferences - like ITI's upcoming conference EX:CHANGE 2026 - and join network events. Don't underestimate casual connections, either. As Carmen put it, "Make sure that everybody that you know, even if it's your dentist and your dog walker," knows what you do. You never know where your next client might come from.

Leverage ITI Networks and Resources

ITI's Networks offer far more than social connections. They provide:

• Job postings from colleagues who are too busy to take on work
• Opportunities for collaborative projects, like Ulrike's example, where one translator handles the translation, and another does proofreading
• Mentoring programmes that can lead to long-term client relationships
• Subject-specific expertise sharing
• Regional connections
• Community. For example, the International Network is designed specifically for members of ITI who live outside the UK

Ulrike highlighted the value of pairing up with colleagues within Networks, noting "you learn so much about other people's styles" and can promote yourself by demonstrating expertise through group work.

It's also worth exploring Networks outside your specific language pair or subject area. Many networks welcome non-members to their events, so if you see something interesting, reach out and ask if you can attend. The Network events are listed on the ITI website here. 

Networking can feel intimidating at first, but it becomes easier with practice. ITI Networks are welcoming spaces designed to help members connect, and many charge modest annual fees of just £10-20. 

Invest in Continuous Professional Development

The translation and interpreting landscape is constantly evolving. Technology, client expectations, and market conditions all shift over time, and people who stay abreast of these changes can often better demonstrate their knowledge and expertise. Staying current through CPD isn't just about maintaining professional credentials, it's about ensuring you remain competitive and confident in your work.

ITI offers a range of different events - all listed on our events calendar - which are designed to help you with your continual learning. All events advertised on our website contribute to your annual CPD total, including the Networks events. All of the ITI training is designed to give you affordable ways to keep your skills sharp and stay connected with industry development events. 

Market Yourself Consistently

In a competitive field, visibility matters. Consider:

• Maintaining an up-to-date profile, explaining more about the language pairings that you work in, and what types of projects you are working/have worked on
• Engaging actively in Network forums and discussions
• Attending conferences and events where potential clients and collaborators gather
• Building relationships with agencies and direct clients
• Staying active in your professional community even when work is flowing well

Remember: You're Not Alone

Working as a freelance translator or interpreter can feel isolating, but ITI's community is there to support you. Whether you're just starting out, or are decades into your career, there are colleagues who have faced similar challenges and are willing to share their experiences, just like Paul, Carmen and Ulrike did during our Ask Me Anything event. 

Final Thoughts

Building a successful career in translation and interpreting isn't just about language skills: it's about building relationships, staying curious, investing in your development, and actively participating in your professional community. The path isn't always linear, and that's perfectly fine. What matters is staying engaged, being open to opportunities, and never underestimating the power of a strong professional network.

As you move forward in your career, remember that the ITI community is here to support you every step of the way. Attend events, join networks, ask questions, and most importantly, help others when you can. The community you build today will be invaluable throughout your career.

Want to join us for our next Ask Me Anything? Our next one will be in June 2026, more details coming soon.