Where has your modern foreign languages degree taken you?

The good thing about a language degree is that it leaves a lot of doors open, + will give you the added skill of a language (if you work hard at it). You aren't guided to any specific career, which is good in some ways, bad in others. If you decide, OK, I want to do XYZ after uni, then while you are at uni you can focus yourself towards that goal (as I am doing - getting experience etc). But you can just as easily drift through your course not getting any kind of work experience, skills etc. and then come out the other end with few prospects.　(And I think this is the case for most arts degrees).

Thus I know people, from my uni who did my degree, who have gone straight into Investment Banking or Law, and others who are now working the tills at ASDA or Xmas temping at Debenhams. It's really down to you. Your degree matters far less than you.

I am currently doing a second BA in Iceland, one of the better regions for my preferred subject, and will be starting an MA in January, partially. I study in Icelandic, write most of my coursework and take most of my exams in Icelandic. It has helped me get freelance work as a translator and work my way slowly into Icelandic society, where most Icelanders treat me differently because of my ability to speak their language.

Btw, where is the translation society?

If you mean the TSR translation crew: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/group.php?groupid=54

The lost in translation thread is here.

Thanks!

I could not avoid looking at your sig. 1st class. :O
So you translate from/to English from/to German?
What is the Christopher Upward prize? And the John Stagg?
Last question do you work as translator? freelance? how is the pay rate? difficult to get in? manage to deal with workload? social life?
Arigatou gozaimasu!

The good thing about a language degree is that it leaves a lot of doors open, + will give you the added skill of a language (if you work hard at it). You aren't guided to any specific career, which is good in some ways, bad in others. If you decide, OK, I want to do XYZ after uni, then while you are at uni you can focus yourself towards that goal (as I am doing - getting experience etc). But you can just as easily drift through your course not getting any kind of work experience, skills etc. and then come out the other end with few prospects.　(And I think this is the case for most arts degrees).

Thus I know people, from my uni who did my degree, who have gone straight into Investment Banking or Law, and others who are now working the tills at ASDA or Xmas temping at Debenhams. It's really down to you. Your degree matters far less than you.

I translate the other way, from German into English
The Christopher Upward prize is for the oustanding performance in Translation Studies and the John Stagg one is for outstanding performance in a German written paper.
I work as a translator/proofreader/interpreter now. The pay rate isn't as high as a lot of people think but I can get by on it. I think it depends on who you apply to as to how difficult it is to get in as companies have different standards. I found it difficult to cope with the workload when I was an intern but now it's no problem and I can have a social life on top. From what I've found out it looks like companies/freelancers have different workloads though and some are a lot smaller than others. Hope that helps
Ooo Japanese

If you mean the TSR translation crew: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/group.php?groupid=54

The lost in translation thread is here.

Hi, it's me again. I have a couple of questions for you.

1st: Are you freelance?

2nd: Can you sustain yourself with your actual job?

3rd: Translator/Interpreter where is easier to get in?

4th: Translator. Is knowing 2 languages minimum? Does knowing (I don't mean grasping, I mean knowing) 3 languages make me stand out more than knowing 2?

5th: Pay rate is it enough for you to live by yourself?

6th: Don't answer if you don't want. You studied translation studies, (at Aston?) When did you get your first job related to translation?

Note: I am highly interested in translation (more than interpretation but I would not mind doing being an interpreter if I could also work as translator). I like writing and translating stuff. Please advise. Thanks!

Another question, which is better for languages, Aston or SOAS?
My languages are English and Spanish. Japanese is optional (I have years ahead of me till I become something near fluent).

Thanks!

X

2) So far I've been ok, but it's not a brilliantly paid sector to work in. I think it also depends on what kind of texts you translate as some fields pay more than others.

Ever thought about interpreting for the EU? They pay very well - I think staff interpreters there start off at around 4,000 euros a month. Apparently, they have quite a severe shortage of native English speakers.

I know this is kind of late, but I found this website today, and found it VERY HELPFUL: http://www.thirdyearabroad.com/graduates

^ Basically, it's a bunch of case studies of MFL graduates, and what they're now doing!

Sorry if this has already been mentioned but have you looked into language facilities at uni? My uni has a language centre which costs £130 per semester per course to study OUTSIDE your assigned credits. On completion of level 6 you are deemed fluent and given a CertHE. That way you can get a degree in 'something useful' and pursue your passion.

EDIT: I put 'something useful' like that for a reason; because it's subjective. At least reply if you're going to neg rep me. This seems to be the only real win-win solution so far.

The year abroad is invaluable, doing a small course is nothing compared to a degree. It's all about interests - a degree lets you explore history, politics, linguistics, literature, film and many more areas. A small course will focus on purely language.

Why don't you do something useful and do maths in your free time rather than wasting several years on a pointless degree?