Steven Wonnacott completed a BA in Modern Languages at Bath and, after graduating in 2011, decided to stay on to study a master’s in Interpreting and Translating.
Read on to find out how he knew interpreting and translating was the right path for him and how he’s recently moved from an academic career to working in-house for the United Nations (UN).
Staying on for an applied master’s
I first came to Bath in 2007 to study French and ab initio Italian, and completing a master’s was always at the back of my mind. I attended a few careers events as an undergraduate, including some very useful sessions with translators and interpreters from the European Union (EU) and the UN focusing on how to get into the professions. Then, in my final year, I got to study translation as part of my degree and loved it. It wasn’t easy to decide whether to take time out before the MA to live in the countries where my languages are spoken to improve my fluency and comprehension. In the end, I decided not to because I felt I would struggle to go back to studying if I took time out. There are pros and cons to both options, and I probably would have benefited from more life experience before embarking on the MA, but the main thing is that you need to have an excellent grasp of your foreign languages and full command of your main language before you start.
Choosing the right course
Before embarking on the MA, I spoke to the course directors and students who were on the course at the time, I attended a couple of careers days and information sessions focusing on interpreting and translation and I observed one of the mock conferences organised in the second semester. All of that gave me a good insight into what to expect from and how best to prepare for the course.
The Bath course had a very good reputation in general, but it also stood out because of what it offered in terms of placements and links with international organisations – something that remains true of the course today. From my research, it also seemed to be one of the few places in the UK that offered a joint master’s in both translation and interpreting. It seemed like a good safety net to have a full postgraduate qualification in both disciplines and, as it turns out, I ended up becoming a translator after graduating!
Another thing that confirmed Bath for me was the application process itself. It was very thorough and quite challenging, which was daunting at first but also informative. I had to submit an online application, including a personal statement and my academic transcript. I then attended an interview day, which included written and spoken assessments to test my aptitude for translation and interpreting. I found it useful to be put through my paces with some realistic exercises, and it was great to have the chance to speak to the course director and other interviewers face to face. The key is to remember that the application process is there to test aptitude – you certainly don’t have to be a perfect translator or interpreter before applying.
Course highlights
The teachers were a key highlight. They all had a wealth of experience as interpreters and/or translators and brought that experience into every lesson. They were also extremely supportive in every way, from providing guidance on coursework to helping us find work experience.
I found the diversity of the cohort of students to be another course highlight. It was great that some of us were straight out of university, while others had had completely different careers before starting the MA.
I also enjoyed the practical nature of the course. I had come from an undergraduate programme that was already fairly practical in nature but that (rightly) included its fair share of literature and background reading, and it was refreshing to start an MA course that was so practical and focused. We learned through practice, with lots of chances to try out our interpreting and translation skills in different settings. We received detailed feedback on every assignment and class activity, giving us vital tips on how to improve next time.
The other obvious highlight was the placement part of the course. I was lucky enough to complete some dummy booth interpreting practice with the European institutions in Brussels. We visited the Commission and the Parliament, met interpreters and observed live meetings on various topics. I was also lucky enough to secure a month-long translation placement with a UN body in Switzerland, where I translated from French and edited texts in English. Both experiences were so valuable because they brought the course content to life and gave me just the boost I needed before the final exams.
From Bath to New York
I finished the MA and, after a brief period working as a freelance translator, went back to the University of Bath to teach Italian language and translation on a part-time basis, while continuing to work as a freelance translator and English teacher alongside. A few months later, a full-time position teaching French and Italian translation came up, and I got the job! It was my dream role because it combined my passion for languages, translation and teaching. Over the next 10 years, I took on different roles in the Department, eventually becoming Director of the MA programmes in translation and interpreting. A full-circle moment!
Then, in 2022, as part of my own professional development, I applied to sit the UN’s Competitive Examination for Language Professionals, or CELP (I should mention here that I had added Spanish to my language combination since graduating, which meant that I could access the test because the requirement at the time for English linguists was to have two official UN languages alongside English). There were several stages to the process, including a written application, a day-long online test focusing on translation, editing and report-writing skills and an online competency-based interview. The skills I had acquired on the MA and used over the years as a lecturer and freelance translator came in very handy, and I managed to pass the test!
So, for the past year, I have been working as a Verbatim Reporter at UNHQ in New York, translating from French and Spanish into English and transcribing and editing in English, helping to produce official verbatim records of UN meetings.
Working at the heart of international politics
I thoroughly enjoy the job here in New York. As a Verbatim Reporter, I am fortunate enough to have a front-row seat to meetings of the General Assembly, Security Council and a few other UN committees. It’s a fun and highly stimulating job, and I feel as though I get to use all my language skills every day. It’s also great because there are lots of former Bath students here in New York, so I had a ready-made network of friends and colleagues when I arrived.
Although the mechanics of the job are the same most days (producing verbatim records of what is said in each meeting), there are so many variables that every single day is completely different. There's always a new problem to solve!
I have also made the most of the excellent tuition on offer at the UN and taken up classes in Arabic and Russian with a view to expanding my working combination in the future.
I feel very lucky to be at the cutting edge of what's happening in the world and to be able to listen to such inspiring speakers and skilled diplomats as they navigate what is probably one of the most difficult periods in human history.
My advice for anyone in languages thinking about a career in interpreting or translating:
- Go for it! I know I am biased, but I think working in languages is one of the most stimulating and enjoyable careers out there. It’s also an exciting time to be studying languages, as there's a real need for talented linguists, including at international organisations.
- If you are considering a postgraduate course, choose carefully. Does the course offer everything you need? Is it theoretical or practical in nature? What are the prospects for placements and future employment? Is there an active alumni network? It’s important to know what you are signing up for before you start.
- Grab every opportunity, however daunting it might seem at the time. I remember feeling very nervous about moving to Italy the summer after my first year of university to improve my language skills, but it was one of the best experiences of my life and set me up well for my second year. I was also nervous about applying to the MA in Bath because it had such a great reputation, but I did, and the rest is history!
- Try to be patient and don’t expect a linear progression (easier said than done, I know). You might not pass a test first time round, or you might miss out on an exciting opportunity on your first attempt, but try not to be too hard on yourself when you hit those inevitable bumps in the road.
- Enjoy the fun of learning new languages and using them in your career.