In today’s episode we’ll look at the question of image, and of what we project to our clients. With me I have Giovanna Carriero-Contreras and Steve Lank. Both are translators, interpreters and project managers, and they recently gave a joint presentation at the Colorado Translators Association’s annual conference, entitled ‘Project what you want to reflect’.

Important things covered in this episode:

• What we project versus what our buyers see
• Why there is a disconnect
• Tools for projecting a professional image
• Fostering professional pride

The most successful translators are good at projecting exactly the right image, so Steve and Giovanna’s tips will be invaluable for anyone wanting to work on their own professional image. Are you projecting what you want to reflect? If you have any other tips on improving image, please share them in the comments!

Steve Lank is VP of Translation Services for Cesco Linguistic Services, working from Washington, DC.  He has worked in the industry since 1987, having started out as a freelance translator and project manager, and subsequently holding senior management positions with agencies in the US, Ireland and Spain. From 1998 to 2011, he chaired the ASTM International subcommittee responsible for the ASTM F2575 Standard Guide for Quality Assurance in Translation.  He also teaches in the graduate interpreting and translation program at the University of Maryland and earned his M.A. in Spanish Translation and Interpretation from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Giovanna Carriero-Contreras graduated from to Istituto Universitario Orientale in Naples and the School of Translation and Interpretation in Geneva. She began her US career as an Italian translator in 1998 and went on to work as an interpreter, tester, and project manager before founding Cesco Linguistic Services in 2004. A licensed  trainer of trainers for The Community Interpreter®, Giovanna has developed innovative approaches to teaching interpreting skills. She is an active advocate for the profession and language access rights, and served on the Board of CAPI 2009-2013.  Giovanna is also a member of the ISO committee that is developing international interpreting standards.

A special thanks to Catherine Metcalfe for editing the show notes.

This podcast is sponsored by:

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