Have you ever considered taking a staff job as an interpreter or translator?
In general, translators and interpreters usually work on their own, as independent entities providing services to different types of clients. As not many permanent positions are available, we generally leave that option out of our mental radar, and do not even consider being an employee as an option. Nevertheless, although scarce, permanent positions do exist in our fields.
Usually, people make the decision to leave a permanent position and become a freelancer, but in our profession, it might happen in the opposite direction.
Before deciding to make a change, it is important to be aware of what being an employee entails. This presentation, given by someone who after a lifetime as a freelancer became a full time employee for the first time in her life, will look at the different aspects involved. Some of the aspects we will talk about include the difference in working conditions, financial issues, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. Finally, the presenter will analyze the intangible aspects to be taken into account when deciding if a change in work status is something one should even contemplate doing.
Heidi Cazes is an interpreter, translator and terminologist. She is a Federal Court Certified Interpreter, currently working as Staff interpreter at the District Court of Puerto Rico. During her years as a freelancer, she worked as a contractor for the federal court, the USDA’s Office, different government agencies and private clients. She is a contract translator and conference level interpreter for the US Department of State. She has worked in terminology research, developing specialized dictionaries, and is an instructor in the IULA English On-line Master in Terminology. She has participated in panels for Standard Setting of Language Proficiency in Court Interpreter Certification Exams and the DLI, and as Spanish Language Expert for Rosetta Stone. She is an ATA Certified translator, and member of NAJIT and IAPTI. She is a producer and voting member in ASTM’s F43 Committee, working on drafting standards for translation and interpreting.
