Societies, Cultures and Modern Languages

David PELERINS - UN translator, Geneva (French, English, Spanish),

Master's degree in specialized multilingual translation, Université Grenoble Alpes (formerly Stendhal University), "Les Insécables" class of 2012

I joined the Master 2 TSM in 2011, as part of a repeat of my studies, on the basis of a portfolio and an interview. The EMT label (European Master's in Translation) was a strong argument in my favor, and the quality of the teaching was top-notch. At the end of 2012, I was able to do an end-of-studies internship at the French Translation Service of the UN in Geneva (following a visit by one of its representatives to Stendhal University), which opened the door to international organizations for me. I started working for several of them (WHO, WTO and ILO) in February 2013, and obtained a permanent position at UNOG in 2014 after passing the competitive examination.
I translate English and Spanish documents, mainly in the field of transport, but also in the areas of human rights and disarmament, among others. Despite the constant pressure of changes in the profession and productivity targets, working conditions remain good and learning is continuous and intensive. One of the strong points of this experience is that each translated text is revised and commented on.
For me, the Master's program has been a fantastic tool. It's a highly professionalizing course whose benefits, as with any tool, depend above all on how you use it. So it's a good idea to have a clear head before embarking on it, although this applies to all higher education in general. The diversity of subjects taught in the Master's program is a major advantage, opening up a wide range of job opportunities. The TSM master's program atUniversité Grenoble Alpes compares very well with other renowned programs (particularly those in Geneva and Paris), and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
If you have any questions about this status or this way of working, please do not hesitate to contact me: dpelerins@gmail.com

Anne-Laure Béruard - translator at the World Trade Organization, Geneva (French, English, Spanish),

Master's degree in specialized multilingual translation, Université Grenoble Alpes (formerly Stendhal University), "4L" Class of 2008

At the end of the Master 2 program, I did two consecutive internships in two very different structures, the first with the French Translation Section of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, and the second with e2f translations, inc. in the heart of Silicon Valley, California. I was thus able to compare two completely different working environments, namely an international organization and a private translation company.
My internship in the United States was very formative and a truly enriching experience.
It was during this internship that I came to realize just how excellent the Master's degree in Specialized Multilingual Translation at the former Stendhal University was, preparing us perfectly for professional translation and all the situations we might encounter in the course of our work. Thanks to the skills acquired during the course, I was able to progress rapidly within the company and was soon given a wide range of tasks and responsibilities: project coordination/management, proofreading, quality control, training new employees, terminology, managing translation memories and relations with subcontractors, website testing (thanks to the computer courses!), writing procedures for the use of translation software and tools, etc. I was also given the opportunity to work on a number of other projects.
As for my internship at the WTO, it only confirmed what I'd been aiming for since my LEA degree, namely technical translation, and more specifically in the economic field. What's more, the particularly favorable working conditions, the presence and availability of the revisers/terminologists, and the qualitative approach to translation were all factors that ultimately weighed in the balance and brought me back to the WTO after a year spent in the United States.
So I've been working for this organization since January 2010. I started out as a temporary and external translator, alternating between on-site contracts in Geneva and home-based contracts. I also did a few contracts at the International Labor Office (the secretariat of the International Labor Organization, one of the United Nations' specialized agencies). I am now a permanent translator at the WTO, having obtained a position there in January 2016. I translate economic, commercial, political, institutional, financial, IT and sometimes legal documents. These may include trade policy review reports, minutes of meetings, reports written by governments or by the WTO Secretariat, pages from the WTO website, ministerial communications, databases, job vacancy notices, Power Point presentations, and so on.
I have excellent memories of these two years of the Master's program, a comprehensive training course that enabled me to secure some very interesting internships that were decisive for my professional future, and a very good understanding between all the members of this 100% female 4L class!
If you have any questions about this status or this way of working, please do not hesitate to contact me: annelaure.beruard@gmail.com