You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t updated my blog for quite some time. I have had a lot to think about in recent months and a big decision to make. I found myself at a crossroads and decided not to post until I was sure which direction to take.
Truth be told, I struggled through 2009 as the recession hit my business and also had a big impact on other members of my family. I still have translation work and I’m still working with some great clients but it has been very hard at times. The events of the last 18 months have led me to re-evaluate my work situation and my freelance lifestyle and, whilst I have enjoyed my 6 years in the translation business, 4 of which as a freelancer, I have decided that it is time for a change.
I will be closing down my translation business on 1 August 2010, ready to start a teacher training course in September 2010. By next summer, I hope to be a newly qualified teacher of French and German (teaching 11-18 year-olds). This is a totally new challenge for me, but one that still enables me to do what I love - using my language skills every day - and to also hopefully encourage more young people to take up languages here in the UK.
Over the years I have met some fantastic people - both clients and other translators. I would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement, particularly the other freelancers that I have met through blogs, on Twitter or through the ITI. Working as a freelancer can be a lonely experience sometimes and you all made my working days just that little bit easier. I am a little sad to be leaving the world of translation but will be taking fond memories with me.
This blog will remain online for a few more months but my website and Twitter page will be going offline in August. My LinkedIn profile will continue to be active, so if you’d like to keep in touch, feel free to contact me there.
Thank you, goodbye and good luck!
Serena
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{ 4 comments }
That’s sad for us, I’ll miss you on Twitter. But of course, I wish you all the best for you new career! I hav always loved to teach, it can be so very fulfilling. I surely hope it will be for you!
Thanks, Frenja. I’m sad to be leaving but I’m also looking forward to a new challenge.
Best of luck in your new career, Serena! The translation profession’s loss is the teaching profession’s gain.
Sorry to hear of your departure to pastures new but one of the great things about translation is that it is a more flexible career than many, so you never know, one day you might be back! In the meantime, all the best with your new profession.
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