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 Miguel Garcia and I graduated with an MA in Conference Interpretation from the Middlebury Institute in 2014. My language of study was French, and I am also fluent in Spanish. I am a freelance conference interpreter based in Washington, D.C., and working for (among other clients) the U.S. Department of State and the Organization of American States.
The D.C. market deals with such a rich variety of topics that knowing how to prepare for technical meetings, be it on security or finance or human rights, is absolutely essential.
My initial experience freelancing for the State Department began when one of my MIIS professors forwarded me an email calling for applicants for a project sponsored by the department.
My MIIS coursework and the high expectations of my professors were by far the most valuable components in preparing for this career. Beyond exposure to topics, our professors armed us with tools and techniques to continue to grow as professionals once in the field. The D.C. market handles such a wide variety of topics that knowing how to prepare for technical meetings, be it on security or finance or human rights, is absolutely essential. Coming into this market, I felt ready to take on that challenge.
My best advice for Translation and Interpretation students is to try and expose yourself to as many different topics as possible and to do so in all of your languages. This can make a major difference, particularly as you start out in your career.
MA in Conference Interpretation
U.S. Department of State
Organization of American States
| by Jessie Raymond
Maureen Sweeney MPA ’94, deputy chief of the interpreting staff for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, developed a remote interpreting program to expand language services at the Games while giving MIIS students and recent graduates a chance to test their skills in a high-profile, real-world setting.
| by Julie Johnson and Winnie Heh
Our recent online discussion gave insights into a day working as an interpreter. The panel featured faculty and alumni who have worked in a range of professional settings, including the U.S. State Department, COVID-19 testing centers, courtrooms, hospitals, and more. Watch the recording.
| by Jessie Raymond
The increased use of remote communications has made it easier for alumni from around the world to share their expertise with current students. As an example, two alumni who work as staff interpreters for the United Nations recently conducted free subject-matter workshops (via Zoom) for interpretation students interested in learning more about careers at the UN.
