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 Amelia Evrigenis and I graduated from the Middlebury Institute in 2020 with an MA in Translation and Localization Management (TLM). I interned in production at InterEcho (Los Angeles, California) and I am currently working as a translation project manager at IXL Learning (Research Triangle, North Carolina).
As a student at the Middlebury Institute, I noticed that InterEcho had posted a full-time producer position on our jobs posting board. Once I learned that they were located in Los Angeles and specialized in transcreation, I knew I had to ask about a potential internship. I did some more research on the company and emailed the founders to ask if they’d consider hiring a summer intern. They replied and we set up an interview. It’s always worth it to reach out with your résumé. Just because they haven’t posted an official internship doesn’t mean they’re not open to hiring.
It’s always worth it to reach out with your résumé. Just because they haven’t posted an official internship doesn’t mean they’re not open to hiring.
I can’t think of an experience at MIIS that didn’t help get me to my role at IXL. I gained the knowledge and experience needed to succeed in my role. I benefited specifically from my localization project management courses with Professor Alaina Brandt, particularly from her teaching on effective project management processes and documentation.
Outside of the classroom, I traveled to Cuba during spring break as part of an eight-day immersion trip led by George Henson, a professor in our translation and interpretation programs. Individual career advising with Career Services was also really helpful. Winnie Heh helped me customize my résumé for the localization industry, and the mock interview sessions built my confidence.
The specialized knowledge and hands-on experience that students gain at the Institute are invaluable, and I believe that this degree of attention is rare in the localization field. Your MIIS degree is really worth something. Trust it!
Passion goes a long way. Looking back at my job search journey, I always had a better interview experience when I genuinely admired and wanted to work for the company. It’s hard for me to fake that passion. You do not have to “fall in love” with every company but there are ways to spark genuine interest.
| by Eva Gudbergsdottir
Middlebury Institute Translation and Localization Management Professor Alaina Brandt worked with a team of graduate students to create a code of ethics and professional standards for localization managers.
| by Celina Souffrant MBAIPD '18
Learn how to create a résumé that gets seen by recruiters and increase your chances of getting an interview. MIIS alum Celina Souffrant has worked at Google and Facebook and is now a career coach. She shares tips that have helped hundreds of her clients land their dream roles at major tech companies and global nonprofits.
