After working as a translator in Spain for 17 years, Caroline Chaverot decided to open her own boutique in London. She was very familiar with the British job market and, after many years in the region, she knew that the high rate of turnover there could provide an excellent opportunity to make a success of her own. Her business flourished for several years until it became a victim of the economic downturn experienced by most of Europe’s major cities – it closed its doors in 2021.
A new generation of translator is well prepared to venture into new territories, thanks to the many resources available to them on the Internet. They can also use their contacts from the Spanish speaking world to get jobs in countries where the language is not widely spoken, such as Mexico and China. Those who have enjoyed working abroad in both the technical and service sectors can build up a portfolio of experiences that they can turn to when applying for a job in a national or international context. They can use their previous acclamation and awards or recognition in their chosen field, to illustrate their worth in their potential employers’ eyes. This approach can help those who have not had much experience of working in a particular trade to demonstrate their ability to translate difficult texts quickly and effectively.
As she retires from her Spanish job, Caroline Chaverot is looking forward to returning to the European scene. “It was the best thing I could do in my career,” she says. “I managed to break free from many of the constraints imposed on me by my national upbringing. Now, I am free to be a part of the emerging global culture without the fear of losing all my identity.”