While translation between languages and cultures is at the heart of localization, that doesn’t mean you need to be a linguist to build a successful career in the industry.
“Localization isn’t just for language people,” said Eva Klaudinyova, who has worked in senior localization roles at technology companies including Apple, VMware, and Verisign and is now program chair for the MA in Translation and Localization Management. “The people who succeed in localization management today are people who are really good at both business and technology. Those are the defining drivers of our industry now.”
Working with students, she reviewed recent job postings and found that only one-third required fluency in a second language. Increasingly, many technical and management roles in the language services industry only require fluency in English.
In alignment with that, the Institute has opened a new track for students who don’t speak a second language.
“All students take courses in intercultural competence, which is an essential skill no matter your role,” said Klaudinyova. “However, you have a lot of flexibility on where you focus your studies, particularly whether you choose to pursue advanced language study.”
When Klaudinyova started in the industry, most leaders were former linguists like herself.
“That’s changed,” she said. “As the industry grows and evolves, we continue to update our programs to offer both diverse paths to entry and paths for our students to develop the skills they need for their particular niche in this broad and diverse field.”
Klaudinyova has seen people of hugely diverse backgrounds find their niche in the industry and thrive. This includes people who studied computer science or software engineering and found localization a creative application for their tech skills, MBAs who were able to implement their business skills in an international context, as well as liberal arts and language majors who thrived leading intercultural and interdisciplinary teams on complex projects.
The Institute’s localization program now offers specializations that allow students to deepen the skills they’ll need in their chosen niche within the field.
“Language should not be a barrier. That ethos is at the heart of the localization field and doesn’t only apply to the content and products we are adapting to global markets, but to people who hope to work in this exciting field. We need people with a wide range of skills to do this important work,” said Klaudinyova.
| by Claudia Siegenthaler TLM ’23
Alum Claudia Siegenthaler says there’s no doubt that AI is shifting the role of humans in translation and localization management, but she’s seeing a lot of upside as a project manager at a localization company.
| by Jason Warburg
Translation and localization management students Xiaofei Shen and Minting Lu gained valuable professional experience localizing an online game in development as a class project.
| by Caitlin Fillmore
Attendees discuss current job openings and internship opportunities with employers like Stanford Health Care, TransPerfect, Honda, and the U.S. State Department, making connections with alumni working there now.
