Many people just starting out in the field of translation often wonder if they need a Degree or Certification in order to become a qualified translator. For the purpose of this post, we’ll discuss what’s required for people who are the norm – not the exception, in the field of translation! Certainly there are self-taught interpreters out there who have tons of work, and who certainly don’t have any Degrees to their name. There are also plenty of translators who make heaps of money, but have no Certification; so we won’t be discussing them - we’ll be talking about translation in general. We must also remember that there are exceptions to the following rules. For example, in many states in the US, in order to become a court interpreter at state level, you’re only required to be 18 years old and legally eligible to work in the United States in order to take the court interpreter exam. These people are generally paid the same rate once they’re certified; so for these positions having a Bachelor’s Degree would offer no advantage.
So, going back to the purpose of this post, the question is: ‘Do you need a Bachelor’s Degree to become a successful translator’? And the answer is, generally, yes. Of course, there are always going to be exceptions, but generally, in the United States, without a Bachelor’s Degree, you’re seen as the person who didn’t go to college – whereas those translators who do have a Bachelor’s Degree are translators who have taken their expertise to the next level.
So the next question is this: ‘Is Getting a Bachelor’s Degree Worth the Investment’?
This is a question that only you can answer because you need to know why you’re doing what you’re doing. Ask yourself what getting the degree will give you that you can’t get now. If you know the answer to this question, like perhaps you really want a position as a staff translator at (say) the United Nations, European Union, Department of State, and so on, then yes, having your translation Degree would be a great investment.
Alternatively, it’s very expensive attending a private university, plus there are years of lost income to consider. Combining these two means that your total investment in time and money in order to obtain your degree will be quite substantial: in the United States, this figure could amount to $200,000 or even more. This investment will certainly be worth it if you’re determined to obtain a position at a major international organization. Once you’ve been taught by great professors at a great education facility, you’ll not only have the advantage of great contacts, you’ll probably also receive a huge advantage in terms of internships.
