ITI Profile: Juliette Boutard Student

Getting started in the translation and interpreting industry can seem daunting, but there is support available – and so much more! – with an ITI membership.

Halfway through my Master’s degree in Translation and Interpreting, I had heard the name “ITI” many times. The idea of a professional association to which language specialists could belong sounded reassuring, especially since students launching their careers were also welcome to join through the ITI Student membership.

My lecturers and the professional translators and interpreters who were invited to speak on my Master’s course recommended that we join the ITI to enhance our professional recognition and expand our network. I became a Student member a few months before completing my degree, taking advantage of a discounted membership price at the time, and I do not regret my decision! My membership allowed me to get started early, gain insight into the sector, start building connections, and overcome impostor syndrome by realising my aspiration to become a professional interpreter and translator.

Ever since joining the ITI, I have enjoyed many benefits. I have attended in-person networking events, watched insightful webinars, and started logging CPD (Continuous Professional Development). With each opportunity, I have had the chance to meet experienced language professionals and learn a lot from them. While joining a professional association can seem intimidating at first, I have always felt welcome and free to ask for advice in my interactions with other ITI members. Over time, I began to match names with the faces I saw on LinkedIn, and the sense of community has provided me with a comforting feeling of security. Knowing that others who were once in my position have built successful careers in translation and interpreting has made me more optimistic about pursuing my own career goals.

If you are just starting out in the profession, I can only recommend that you take the plunge! Joining the ITI has opened up a world of support and generosity for me, and being part of this community has given me the confidence to connect with industry professionals and reach out to potential clients. I am confident that my membership will help me continue my journey as a professional interpreter and translator working from English and Spanish into French.