Postgrad Queries: How do I become an interpreter? And is it wise to study finance?

Lost in translation

Q. I’ve been a school languages teacher for five years, but now want to become an interpreter. My main languages are French and Spanish, but I can get by in German as well. Where can I go to pick up the qualifications I need to make this change of career?

A. There are only a handful of postgraduate diplomas and Masters in interpreting, some combining it with translation. Universities to look at include Bath, Leeds, Manchester, Westminster and the University of Central Lancashire. In addition, the Chartered Institute of Linguists (www.iol.org.uk) offers a diploma in public service interpreting; and some colleges offer training where there’s a local need, such as interpreting for particular community groups.

Getting qualifications is just the start. When you begin applying for jobs, you’ll need to offer experience and knowledge of vocabulary in different industries, and evidence that you’re good at thinking on your feet. In addition, you’ll need to be at home using technology. Beyond this, think where you want to work. Places to consider include the Civil Service, EU, local government, the law courts, private-sector conferencing and all the major European or international institutions. The EU sometimes funds people with confirmed places on MA courses (go to the web address europa.eu/interpretation).

But competition is stiff and the top jobs require a track record. You also need to consider how comfortable you would be with a freelance lifestyle, as many interpreters are self-employed. Useful websites include www.languageswork.org.uk and www.iti.org.uk.

Drawing on resources

Q. I graduated two years ago and I’m keen to use my psychology degree as a springboard for HR management or a job in occupational psychology. Can you recommend any taught Masters for this kind of career?

A. There are two main routes into HR after a degree. You can either take a full-time course to gain the qualification, and then enter an organisation, or you enter an organisation as a graduate trainee and study part-time to get the qualifications.

If you go for the second option, you have a job and may well get your fees paid by your employer and you will be applying your learning in work, which all aids consolidation. It can be hard, however, to go to college after a day’s work and study and take exams in your spare time.

The first route shows your determination, and is more akin to your previous experience of study, but you will be applying for jobs pretty much as soon as you start the course and you will have to pay your own fees.

There are Masters courses across the UK. Occupational psychology is an area that would logically follow on from your degree and is closely linked to several aspects of HR work. You can check out suitable courses at www.prospects.ac.uk and find out more details about the role of an occupational psychologist.

Whichever route you choose, try to underpin it with some relevant work experience inside an HR or personnel department. This will help you show your motivation when you apply for jobs and give you a more realistic idea of that sort of work.

Do the numbers add up?

Q. Since getting a maths degree in 2003, I’ve drifted in and out of sales jobs and had a couple of spells of travelling. But I’ve always enjoyed working with figures, and now realise that I should use my aptitude and my degree to build a career. Is it a bad time to be thinking of doing a Masters in finance?

A. Drifting is the operative word here. My advice is: make a career decision first and then take any study to further that aim. A Masters degree in some area of finance might just saddle you with costs and do little more than gain you some exemptions for professional examinations in, say, accountancy or insurance.

You need to go back to basics. Your first action should be to evaluate your skills, knowledge, experience and motivations, and decide what exactly you want to do at work. The Prospects Planner (www.prospects.ac.uk) will generate a list of occupations offering a reasonable match to your profile, and pinpoint any contradictions in your stated aims.

Studying the occupational information will show you the differences in various areas of financial work. Good luck!

Thanks to Liz Hagger and Gill Sharp, careers consultants for Domino Careers (www.dominocareers.co.uk). Send your queries to Steve McCormack at steve.mcc@virginmedia.com