| by Jem Walker and TI ’21
Middlebury Institute graduates discuss where they are working today, how their education helped them get there, and what advice they’d give to current and future students.
My name is Jem Walker, and I graduated with an MA in Translation and Interpretation from the Middlebury Institute in 2021, specializing in French. Before attending the Institute, I earned my BA in French and politics from the University of Leeds in 2018.
I am now based in Miami, Florida, where I work as an interpretation manager at FIFA, world football’s governing body. FIFA organizes hundreds of events, meetings, summits, and press conferences annually, bringing together people from every corner of the world. As part of the Interpretation Unit, I manage a large pool of qualified conference interpreters, matching them to events based on their expertise and experience. Additionally, I provide on-the-ground leadership for interpreter teams at major events, ensuring seamless communication for stakeholders across six continental football confederations.
The two major projects currently on the horizon at FIFA are the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will be the first using an expanded 32-team format, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These events involve diverse teams, member associations, and stakeholders, making interlingual understanding crucial. Being at the forefront of these iconic competitions is exciting, and though I wasn’t a football fan growing up, the passion at FIFA is infectious. Whether it’s organizing the FIFA Club World Cup Final Draw or the upcoming Team Workshop, I find fulfillment in ensuring these events run smoothly—much like the satisfaction of a job well done in the booth.
Keep an open mind and get excited about how unique you can make your career. The language sector is always evolving, and there are countless ways to bring your skills into play.
Before FIFA, I worked at KUDO, a remote interpretation platform and SaaS (software as a service) provider, where I was part of a global team at the cutting edge of the remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI) revolution. I discovered KUDO through a kind referral from Middlebury Institute career advisor Winnie Heh. During my time there, my colleague Nathalie transitioned to a leadership role coordinating language services for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Later, she connected me with an opportunity at FIFA’s new Miami office, where they were looking for someone to lead their language services team. The rest is history!
The T&I as a Profession course, taught by Stephanie Cooper and Dmitry Buzadzhi, was the perfect primer for turning interpretation skills into a business. The lessons I learned in that class not only benefited my freelance career but continue to shape my management approach. A key aspect of leading an interpretation team is speaking the same language—both figuratively and literally—and respecting the profession’s nuances. As an interpreter myself, I understand our freelancers’ needs and strive to support them in doing their best work.
My best advice for current students is twofold:
When I graduated, I had a straightforward vision of my career—freelance interpretation, AIIC, private sector work, and perhaps a staff position later on. But just four years later, that plan has transformed into something far more dynamic and exciting. I’ve worked on both sides of the interpretation industry, integrating new technologies into my work. I’m even learning programming in Python, JavaScript, and PowerShell to create tools that enhance our department’s efficiency. The possibilities in this field are vast, and there’s always a way to bring all of your skills into play.
The Middlebury Institute provided an exceptional foundation for my career, and I encourage students to take full advantage of the faculty, professional network, and hands-on learning opportunities it offers.
Master of Arts in Translation; Translation and Interpretation; Conference Interpretation
| 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 Mark C. Anderson
Alum Tatiana Lind ‘08 draws on her talent for languages and advanced training at the Institute as an interpreter at NASA.
| by Sierra Abukins
Interpretation students at the Institute hone their interpretation skills by practicing in a wide range of settings, from plant nurseries to the aquarium, conferences to wastewater treatment plants.
