How I Got Hired: Business Development Manager, Mother Tongue

My name is Matt Schetina and I graduated with an MA in Translation and Interpretation from the Middlebury Institute in 2022. My language pair was French-English. Prior to coming to Monterey, I earned my BA at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. I am now business development manager at Mother Tongue in Long Beach, California.

As a member of Mother Tongue’s New Business team, I am often the first point of contact for new requests and queries about our services. Some of my regular responsibilities include helping scope new projects, attending conferences to spread the word about our services, and providing information on what we as an agency offer and how best to fit those offerings with our client’s needs. Once a client is ready to move forward with our services, I also help manage their onboarding, ensuring seamless integration between our people and tech. Finally, I collaborate with my teammates on longer-term initiatives like pursuing requests for proposals (RFPs).

I met the Mother Tongue team at the Institute’s career fair through a one-on-one session—even though we were fully remote, we met via Zoom. I am grateful for the support Institute staff provided before and during the application process. The Career Management class was immensely useful, as it helped me gain the confidence to present myself for jobs with a cohesive narrative across my LinkedIn, résumé, and cover letter.

Additionally, I have to credit my professors in the Translation and Interpretation program for setting a high standard for all deliverables and a professionalism in all communication. When it came time to carry this into the professional world, I felt prepared. My role as a teacher’s assistant during my interpretation practicum was also a great chance to gain experience in project management and coordination.

Explore a Variety of Opportunities and Network

My best advice for current students is to avoid setting one fixed idea of what your first internship or job looks like. I knew I wanted a job in localization, but I took a somewhat circuitous path there. Additionally, I would encourage students to gain experience in all kinds of subjects and technology—even the most random of platforms can become part of your toolbox, and more importantly you’re learning how to learn quickly. Finally, talk to as many people as possible, even if it feels awkward!