Careers

Careers in the language industry are diverse. 

Courtesy of www.Slator.com  Courtesy of Nimdzi.com

If you want to work as a Translator you will likely need to fulfill the following minimum criteria:

• University degree (studies in the target language).
• University degree in translation, interpretation or linguistics a definitive asset.
• Professional Certification by the Provincial associations within the Canadian Translators Terminologists and Interpreters Council – CTTIC, Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec – OTTIAQ or be a corresponding member of the American Translators Association – ATA (if available in your language combination).
• International certifications will be evaluated on an individual basis
• Experience , Experience, Experience.  Try volunteer work if you need some experience. Many companies look for 5 years of documented work experience.
• Specializations (ie. Medical, Legal, Business, Aeronautics, IT, etc.)
• Knowledge of Computer Assisted Translation – CAT tools
• References for translation work.
• Participation in professional development activities an asset.

If you want to work as a Community Interpreter you will likely need:

• College Certificate or University degree in one of your language combinations.
• Language interpreting test  ILSAT / CILISAT / CTTIC (if available in your language).
• Interpreting Training – minimum 100 hours core training
• Language Interpreting Training Certificate LITP (180 hours) an asset (it will be mandatory in the near future)
• 5 years of part time or 3 years full time documented experience. Please include total number of hours per year and your specialization.
• OCCI Accredited Community Interpreter (ACI) Credential an asset (it will be mandatory in the future)
• References for interpretation work.
• Participation in professional development activities an asset.
• Aptitude for interpreting.
• For those working in the healthcare sector, additional Medical Terminology training
• Membership with the Association of Professional Language Interpreters  APLI an asset
• All interpreters need to fully abide by Canada’s National Standard Guide for Community Interpreting Services (NSGCIS)
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If you want to apply to work as a Conference (Simultaneous) Interpreter you will need:

• University degree in your language “A”.
• University degree in translation, interpretation or linguistics a definitive asset.
• Simultaneous interpreting training
• Professional Certification as a Conference Interpreter by the provincial associations under CTTIC, to be a corresponding member of ATA or Accredited by AIIC. International certifications are evaluated on an individual basis.
• 5 years of part time or 3 years full time documented experience. Please include total number of hours per year and your specialization.
• References for simultaneous interpreting work.
• Participation in professional development activities an asset.

Some exceptions to the above requirements may apply to languages of lesser diffusion LLD (cases where the test or certification is not available in your language combination).