ITI Profile: Julie Holt-Larsson Junior Associate
I am starting out as a freelance translator, having decided a few years ago to shift from my 20+ years career in finance and capital markets. My university degree was in French and Italian, and although my language skills were of limited use in my everyday work, I never lost my passion for them. I now live in France and therefore decided to focus on French-English translation. I intend to put all the knowledge and experience from my previous career to good use as a specialist in financial translation and corporate communication. I’m really looking forward to the challenges (and successes!) that this new phase in my career will bring.
When I started my move into the industry, I realised that many people call themselves translators but have no specific credentials. I believed that being qualified and belonging to a professional body would enhance my credibility and ability to find work. I therefore studied for and passed the CIOL Diploma in Translation and applied for membership of ITI.
As soon as I joined, I realised that ITI offers a lot more than credibility! I have benefitted enormously from the training and resources available. Since I am starting out, I have focused on modules and webinars that cover topics ranging from writing a CV, setting up a business, finding clients, etc. to help me prepare for life as a freelancer. However, the range of topics covered means that even as an experienced translator, there is plenty of scope to learn and develop further. I also appreciate that you can attend many events live or listen to recordings, which helps fit training around a busy life! As I progress, I hope to make the most of other benefits, such as discounts on software and information available on LSPs in the ITI directory.
I have also been impressed at how pro-active and future-focused ITI is, particularly when the industry faces the challenge posed by those who believe that AI can remove the need for human knowledge and skills when translating. I believe that this stance will provide valuable support to translators going forward and enable us to stay relevant.
Finally, ITI members are open to collaboration and there is a strong sense of community which makes a real difference in what could be a somewhat solitary profession. I have already developed contacts with several members, and hopefully we will be able to support one another going forward. ITI also offers a range of networks focused on a specific language or region and this further enhances the sense of community and support. I have also found that experienced translators take a keen interest in helping more junior members to develop and make a success of their career in this highly competitive industry. As my career progresses, I look forward to making the most of becoming an increasingly active member.
