ITI Profile: Revathy Sreekumar Junior Associate

My primary motivation to join the ITI was to be part of an organisation which has a wide presence and maintain really high standards of quality in the industry.  I’m fairly new to translation, and joining ITI quickly reassured me with the sense of community and a plethora of resources.

My journey into becoming a translator is rather interesting and in somewhat accidental. I started my career as a Microbiologist working for a French company. As a result, I travelled to France quite a bit for trainings and meetings and became enamoured with the French language.  Cultural differences fascinated me and I was really keen to master the language. Along the way, I fell in love with French and my career took a detour. I went on to get a degree in teaching French as a foreign language. Following this, I taught French to kids and adults for a fair number of years and I found myself ready to take on a new adventure.

 I finally got myself a translation certification a couple of years ago. With a unique blend of experience in life sciences marketing and teaching French as a foreign language, I specialise in French- English (FR<>EN) translations that go beyond the words. I love that my work allows me to engage with so many diverse topics and help my clients find their voice. I have worked with a variety of material, including food labels and marketing material for export, technical translation for firms dealing with electrical and automated engineering. I’m also very interested in the women’s rights and development sector.

Last year, I began looking for ways to gain recognition and expand my network in the industry. ITI seemed like the perfect platform to tackle this challenge. I started attending webinars and courses and promptly joined the ITI French network and the peer support and camaraderie is unmatched.

Freelancing offers incredible flexibility, which has been invaluable as a parent, allowing me to balance my family commitments with work that I am passionate about. However, the uncertainty of freelancing can be daunting, especially in an age where AI is becoming increasingly prominent. Thankfully, organizations like ITI provide continuous professional development opportunities, ensuring our community stays sharp and prepared for new challenges.

 I enjoy connecting with both, seasoned professionals and newcomers, whether it is to share our love for languages or to exchange valuable and career guiding advice. I believe this offers a diverse range of perspectives that foster mutual learning and growth. My goal is to become a fellow with the ITI in the years to come and here’s hoping my career eventually progresses to that milestone.