| by Lyu Jiayi MACI ’21
Middlebury Institute graduates discuss where they are working today, how the Institute helped them get there, and what advice they’d give to current and future MIIS students.
My name is Lyu Jiayi and I graduated with an MA in Conference Interpretation from the Middlebury Institute in 2021. My language pair was Chinese-English. Prior to coming to Monterey, I earned my BA at the University of Nottingham in Ningbo, China. I am now founder and CEO of Pegasus Translation and Interpretation Solutions Ltd. in Shanghai, China.
My role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. I focus on client development, engaging in active communication to understand and meet their needs. I manage a team of interpreters and translators, ensuring high-quality service delivery. Additionally, I guide the project managers in their tasks to ensure seamless operations. Staying updated with industry trends and participating in relevant events is also a crucial part of my role, allowing us to maintain a competitive edge and continuously improve our services.
Conference interpretation alum Lyu Jiayi shares how the skills and network she built at the Middlebury Institute helped her as she launched her career.
I founded Pegasus because I noticed a lack of best practices in China’s language service industry, as taught by my professors at the Institute. The market’s lack of standards often led to clients being misled and skilled language professionals being overlooked. To address this, I created my own company to raise the industry’s standards. My goal is to standardize China’s translation industry, ensuring clients can find the right experts.
The support and experiences I gained at MIIS were instrumental in helping me launch Pegasus. Career mentors provided invaluable advice, and the strong alumni network offered excellent support. Practicum courses gave me practical, hands-on experience, which was particularly useful. The rigorous training in interpretation and translation, along with insightful classroom instruction, played a crucial role. Additionally, one-on-one guidance from professors after midterms and finals was especially beneficial in refining my skills and knowledge. I also participated in the translation and interpretation practicum, where I translated a short story, a valuable practical experience. The guidance and feedback from Professo John Balcom were also incredibly helpful.
My best advice for current students is this: in this era of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, you should continuously hone your skills, maintain your confidence, and commit to lifelong learning.
Master of Arts in Translation; Translation and Interpretation; Conference Interpretation
| by Xinyi Tiffany Cao MACI ’23
Alum Tiffany Cao shares how MIIS interpretation training and perseverance led to her role as a Mandarin translator/interpreter for the County of Santa Clara.
| by Sierra Abukins
As an interpreter at the Olympics, alum and professor Stephanie Cooper got a front seat to the biggest moment in many athletes’ lives, allowing them to express themselves in their mother tongues.
| by Amy Fruchter CI ’18
Alum Amy Fruchter shares how her experiences at the Middlebury Institute and constructive feedback from her professors helped her become a translator at the United Nations.
