The translation industry keeps changing as the world around us evolves, and technology too has played a large role in driving change. As a result, translators need to keep up with trends and technological advancements in order for us to remain relevant and competitive. One of the best ways to stay relevant is through continued professional development (CPD).
In this article, I will tell you why it has been important to me, the benefits it can provide, the different types of education available, and how to choose the right program.
The Changing Landscape
The industry has undergone significant changes in recent years. Globalization has increased the demand for language services, and technology has made it easier for us translators to work remotely with clients around the world.
However, technology has also introduced new challenges for us, such as machine translation (MT) and the need to learn new tools and software. For us to stay competitive, we need to keep up and adapt our skills accordingly.
The Benefits
CPD is a great way for us translators to improve our niche-specific knowledge and hone our skills, but not only. It helps us stay up to date with industry trends and technology. Here are some of the benefits it has provided me:
- Improved skills and knowledge: CPD has helped me perfect my language skills, learn new translation techniques, and stay current with industry best practices. I have been able to master my craft in my fields (humanitarian and legal). For example, I now have a level-7 diploma in legal translation from EN>FR (that means translating Common Law concepts into French, without polluting them with romano-germanic ones).
- Increased earning potential: Investing in CPD has helped me attract new clients and charge higher rates (more skills, more info => more competent, experienced, and knowledgeable).
- Competitive advantage: CPD can help us stand out from our competitors, as we demonstrate a commitment to our profession and a willingness to always improve.
Types of CPD
Several types of CPD are available for us translators (workshops & webinars, conferences, and online courses/programs). Each type has its pros and cons, and we should choose the type that best suits our individual needs and goals (and our budgets, of course).
- Workshops and webinars are typically short, more focused, cost less, and can be a good option when we want to learn about a specific topic or technique really fast. For my language pair, my favorites are those offered by Magistrad, and by several linguist associations such as CIoL, ATA, SFT and ITI.
- Conferences are larger events, cost more, and offer a wider range of topics, but most importantly networking opportunities (with peers and clients); the ATA conference is an excellent example and offers, in addition to the sessions and the networking, the most interesting job fair.
- Online courses offer the most flexibility, as they can be completed at our own pace. I am a fan of online courses and programs, to be honest, though they need a bigger investment (both time and money-wise). My favorite, as you can see from my own list of CPD, is Edvenn.
Tips for Choosing the Right CPD
Choosing our CPD is an investment, and we should always take the time to consider our individual needs and goals before committing. Some CPD choices may be more focused on technical skills or field knowledge (CAT tool, niche terminology, etc.), while others may focus more on business skills or industry trends (MT, voice recognition, etc.). Here are some tips for choosing the right CPD for you:
- Consider your goals: What skills or knowledge do you lack? What are your career goals?
- Look for reputable organizations: Only choose options offered by reputable organizations that have a track record of providing the highest quality.
- Consider the format: What type of program best suits your learning style, budget and schedule? For example, do you prefer in-person or online learning?
CPD is a priority in my professional development plan, but it is also a requirement with some translator organizations. And it is indispensable to any professional linguist who wants to stay current, competent and competitive in the industry.