| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Master's degree: is it considered by employers even if not recognized as a University one? Thread poster: Valentina Cigarini
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Hello dear professionals,
I am looking for advice as a newbie to the translation world, and as a very passionate individual about video game localization.
(For brief and direct question, please see below '*In a few words...')
I have a Bachelor's degree in languages I obtained years ago, I have studied translation and localization on my own since last year (2021), I have attended some online courses on said topics and found a great position as a game languag... See more Hello dear professionals,
I am looking for advice as a newbie to the translation world, and as a very passionate individual about video game localization.
(For brief and direct question, please see below '*In a few words...')
I have a Bachelor's degree in languages I obtained years ago, I have studied translation and localization on my own since last year (2021), I have attended some online courses on said topics and found a great position as a game language quality tester... but my main goal is to become a video game localizer/translator.
The problem is, most of the time I have no chance at being hired/considered for said position, because I neither have many years of experience as a translator, nor have a translation degree plus a few years of translation experience.
To ease my way in the field and continue learning in a supervised manner so as to actually grow AND have a degree that testifies it on my CV, I am thinking of attending a Master's course. Due to my circumstances I cannot attend a course degree that is not remote/online and that would take me more years than a Master's to complete.
I am unsure which Master's to choose between a Master's by a University on Audiovisual translation and the Master's degree on Translation and new technologies by ISTRAD (actually the diploma will be by Universidad a Distancia de Madrid (UDIMA)), because:
- While one is given by an actual University and is recognized so, the second one isn't (quoting the site: 'This master's is not part of an officially recognized degree program in accordance with art 4.4 del Decreto 84/2004 del 13/Mayo de la CAM –Art. 4.4 of Decree 84/2004 of May 13 of the Community of Madrid'). The first one is by a University that is not particularly famous in my country (not because it is not good though), and has 6 units on subtitling and related subjects, and 2 on localization (one on games). The course by ISTRAD is fully based on localization (web content, software, mobile apps, games, as well as quality assurance, project management and professional orientation).
- The Master's by the University doesn't offer an intership (it included a final project work with the professor and subject on choice), while ISTRAD does offer one.
- Although as subjects go the one by ISTRAD is far more interesting to me, I fear it might not be taken into consideration by companies, agencies and private clients because it is not an official Master's, and would not help me in getting jobs. The University one shouldn't have this problem, but it is not as specific on localization, although I know the professors are good and maybe having a title that is about audiovisual translation would give me the opportunity to find jobs in subtitles and the related niche as well.
*In a few words: will my Master's degree amount to nothing in the employers' eyes if it isn't recognized as a University one?
I would be very grateful to anyone speaking from experience, even more so if you have experience in audiovisual translation and/or localization, or if you have attended ISTRAD's Masters and would like to share your experience.
Thank you.
[Modificato alle 2022-09-10 10:31 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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For starters, let’s clear out what you mean exactly by “employer”? Are you looking to be employed translating in-house or working as a freelancer? I have never translated video games, but I have been a translator for over 40 years, both working as staff translator and as a freelancer. So, in the first case, your employer will be particularly interested in your diplomas and in this sense a master's degree might open more doors, but, in the second case, an outsourcer will be much more intere... See more For starters, let’s clear out what you mean exactly by “employer”? Are you looking to be employed translating in-house or working as a freelancer? I have never translated video games, but I have been a translator for over 40 years, both working as staff translator and as a freelancer. So, in the first case, your employer will be particularly interested in your diplomas and in this sense a master's degree might open more doors, but, in the second case, an outsourcer will be much more interested in the unique skills that you bring to the table as for them your ability and experience are far more important than your educational background. In both cases, learning never hurts…
P.S. I have no degree in translation but in economics… ▲ Collapse
| | | | Dan Lucas 
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:18
Member (2014)
Japanese to English
| Is it really holding you back? | Sep 10, 2022 |
Valentina Cigarini wrote:
The problem is, most of the time I have no chance at being hired/considered for said position, because I neither have many years of experience as a translator, nor have a translation degree plus a few years of translation experience.
Do you know that for sure? In theory you don't need any qualifications, especially if aiming to become a freelancer in an "informal" industry like videogames. In reality I think clients want to see at least a relevant degree, which you already seem to have, and some proof of ability in real-world situations.
I really don't think that if you spend time and money on a Master's in translation that you will suddenly start winning jobs. An academic course of this kind may or may not be worth doing for its own sake, but I wouldn't count on it changing your life.
As for experience, or lack of it, this is the Catch-22 situation that all beginners face. Contact game developers and publishers who might need translations in your market. Send samples of your translation. Network assiduously. Show them that you're good enough and interested enough. That will likely be more effective than any degree course.
Regards,
Dan
| | | | Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 19:18
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
| International vs... | Sep 10, 2022 |
I suspect you're going to get many answers from translators who are not in Italy, and the minds of Italian employers may work differently from the minds of employers elsewhere. I think you should post your question in the Italian (language) forum:
https://www.proz.com/forum/italian-26.html
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| Thank you Teresa! | Sep 10, 2022 |
Teresa Borges wrote:
For starters, let’s clear out what you mean exactly by “employer”? Are you looking to be employed translating in-house or working as a freelancer? I have never translated video games, but I have been a translator for over 40 years, both working as staff translator and as a freelancer. So, in the first case, your employer will be particularly interested in your diplomas and in this sense a master's degree might open more doors, but, in the second case, an outsourcer will be much more interested in the unique skills that you bring to the table as for them your ability and experience are far more important than your educational background. In both cases, learning never hurts…
P.S. I have no degree in translation but in economics…
Thank you Teresa for sharing your opinion on this. In case of an in-house position, you think a degree might be more useful. Is that in general, or only recognized ones from universities?
I did not specify between freelance and in-house position because I am interested in both, on an international level.
| | | | | Thank you Dan! | Sep 10, 2022 |
Dan Lucas wrote: Valentina Cigarini wrote:
The problem is, most of the time I have no chance at being hired/considered for said position, because I neither have many years of experience as a translator, nor have a translation degree plus a few years of translation experience. Do you know that for sure? In theory you don't need any qualifications, especially if aiming to become a freelancer in an "informal" industry like videogames. In reality I think clients want to see at least a relevant degree, which you already seem to have, and some proof of ability in real-world situations. I really don't think that if you spend time and money on a Master's in translation that you will suddenly start winning jobs. An academic course of this kind may or may not be worth doing for its own sake, but I wouldn't count on it changing your life. As for experience, or lack of it, this is the Catch-22 situation that all beginners face. Contact game developers and publishers who might need translations in your market. Send samples of your translation. Network assiduously. Show them that you're good enough and interested enough. That will likely be more effective than any degree course. Regards, Dan
Hello Dan,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Unluckily most job offers I encounter and companies that deal with video game localization ask for a degree, specific to translation, as well as most times experience in the field (minimum 2 years if you hold a degree, more if you do not). I would rather take my chances now on a Master's degree since I know I can engage in it fruitfully this year, something I am not sure I will be able to do afterwards, and that is why my main doubt is about choosing one of the two, not really avoiding a Master's altogether.
Thank you for your advice on networking and contacting devs. I will keep doing that as much as possible. I will also refine my samples and hope they will shine through.
| | | | | Thank you Samuel! | Sep 10, 2022 |
Samuel Murray wrote: I suspect you're going to get many answers from translators who are not in Italy, and the minds of Italian employers may work differently from the minds of employers elsewhere. I think you should post your question in the Italian (language) forum: https://www.proz.com/forum/italian-26.html
Hello Samuel,
Thank you for your kind suggestion!
I would like to keep this post here though because I would like to engage in the field on an international level, so this part of the forum might get me more insights and broaden my mind further.
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Regarding the EU Institutions and as far as I know (I worked for 20 years at an EU institution) in order to take part in a selection procedure, you must 1. be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union; 2. have completed a university course of at least three years' duration and obtained a degree; 3. have a perfect command of your native language; 4. have very sound knowledge of English, French or German; 5. have a thorough knowledge of a third EU official language. Priority is ... See more Regarding the EU Institutions and as far as I know (I worked for 20 years at an EU institution) in order to take part in a selection procedure, you must 1. be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union; 2. have completed a university course of at least three years' duration and obtained a degree; 3. have a perfect command of your native language; 4. have very sound knowledge of English, French or German; 5. have a thorough knowledge of a third EU official language. Priority is given to university courses in translation or in law or economics, but in my Translation Division we had translators with history and philosophy degrees. Although some universities are more prestigious than others, I don’t think that coming from this or that university has ever been a selection criteria…
[Edited at 2022-09-10 18:58 GMT]
[Edited at 2022-09-11 08:59 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 19:18
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Valentina Cigarini wrote:
I would like to keep this post here though because I would like to engage in the field on an international level...
Internationally, I think most clients have no way of checking whether a master's degree is or isn't approved or accepted by some local country's little authorization board. The possibility that one might be able to check such a thing might not even occur to most people. If the college where you studied the master's degree has a nice-looking website, then that is sufficient clout.
| | | | | I don't think a master's will make any difference | Sep 14, 2022 |
The great thing about this profession is that you can have no relevant qualifications and still be successful. If you're good at translating and your prices are OK, you will get work.
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 19:18
French to English
philgoddard wrote:
The great thing about this profession is that you can have no relevant qualifications and still be successful. If you're good at translating and your prices are OK, you will get work.
Things are changing though Phil! I mean, I started out without any higher education, I had just studied a little EN-FR translation in French language classes, but managed to really rock a translation test at an agency looking to hire someone in-house, because I happened to know all the technical terms since it was about one of my hobbies.
When it came to hiring another translator because I was a victim of my success, all applicants had at least a Master in translation, which barely existed when I started out. So anyone starting out now is competing against these people. If you have more applicants than jobs, you have to weed them out, and it's easy to weed out those lacking a diploma.
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Kay Denney wrote: philgoddard wrote:
The great thing about this profession is that you can have no relevant qualifications and still be successful. If you're good at translating and your prices are OK, you will get work. Things are changing though Phil! I mean, I started out without any higher education, I had just studied a little EN-FR translation in French language classes, but managed to really rock a translation test at an agency looking to hire someone in-house, because I happened to know all the technical terms since it was about one of my hobbies. When it came to hiring another translator because I was a victim of my success, all applicants had at least a Master in translation, which barely existed when I started out. So anyone starting out now is competing against these people. If you have more applicants than jobs, you have to weed them out, and it's easy to weed out those lacking a diploma.
Not only that but also the topics studied. For instance when I was at university when I started the MA in translation, the university had included CAT tools as the department felt these were necessary but now, it's included audio visual services as they are in great demand and literary translation. I think what's important is to have linguistic competence plus proven experience in the field you specialise in. If you're young, I think a degree is paramount but on its own, it's definitely not enough. University does not equip you for real life and you cannot expect to be given jobs just because you have a degree. Also you have to have some money put aside till you get enough jobs to be able to say you can support yourself and make it your career. Many students give up as they will need to find a job quickly after university.
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Kevin Fulton
United States
Local time: 13:18
German to English
| Rates more important than academic qualifications | Sep 14, 2022 |
Unfortunately nowadays many potential clients are more interested in your rates than your academic credentials.
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Samuel Murray wrote: Valentina Cigarini wrote:
I would like to keep this post here though because I would like to engage in the field on an international level... Internationally, I think most clients have no way of checking whether a master's degree is or isn't approved or accepted by some local country's little authorization board. The possibility that one might be able to check such a thing might not even occur to most people. If the college where you studied the master's degree has a nice-looking website, then that is sufficient clout.
Your point on the nice looking website never occurred to me. Thank you Samuel!
| | | | | Thank you Kay! | Sep 15, 2022 |
Kay Denney wrote:
Things are changing though Phil! I mean, I started out without any higher education, I had just studied a little EN-FR translation in French language classes, but managed to really rock a translation test at an agency looking to hire someone in-house, because I happened to know all the technical terms since it was about one of my hobbies.
When it came to hiring another translator because I was a victim of my success, all applicants had at least a Master in translation, which barely existed when I started out. So anyone starting out now is competing against these people. If you have more applicants than jobs, you have to weed them out, and it's easy to weed out those lacking a diploma.
Thank you Kay, this is precisely the situation of the translation field today, for people starting out at least!
(I want to point out though that, at least in my country, it might still happen (very rarely) that a company would hire a person to cover translation in-house with a high school diploma and some language ability. In my region especially, this happens with technical translation of manuals and related texts, as we are strong in the import-export business.)
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