Globalization brings people together from different parts of the world. With more of us traveling from one country to another, the need for translation services has been continuously growing. So, if you were considering a career in translation, now’s a good time to start.

More companies are expanding outside their national borders and the demand for high quality translation services increases as they invest in translation and localization, to make their content appealing to international audiences.

If that wasn’t enough to make you consider a career in translation in 2018, we’re just getting started!

From medical translation and interpretation, to app and video game localization, the translation industry provides complex services for tourists, expats and businesses large and small. This generates a broad range of new jobs for multilinguals.

The language industry was estimated at $43 billion last year and is expected to reach $47.5 billion by 2021. A career in translation can bring you consistent income in 2018, depending on the languages you know and how specialized your skills are.

Translation Services Are in High Demand

Jobs in the translation industry made it to the top of the list of emerging careers in the US for 2018. Thanks to the high number of online jobs available and the market’s growth, working as interpreter or translator seems to be one of the best jobs for new graduates this year.

Generally, payment depends on how skilled you are and what languages you know. To make a living out of translation, you need to be fluent in at least two languages and, in some cases, have credentials that prove your knowledge, such as a degree from an accredited college.

However, many companies still choose to work with freelancers or hire bilinguals to manage their translation projects. Even if you aren’t certified, you can still start your career in translation.

Start with online jobs for freelancers. Spanish and French are always in high demand, but competition is serious, with many bilinguals living and working in the US.

The expansion of companies into Asia has generated new jobs for translators who speak Mandarin, Japanese and Korean. Knowing any of these languages (or other Asian languages) well can bring you plenty of work as a translator or interpreter.

You can also develop your career in translation if you speak Arabic. The Middle East is a fast growing market and more companies plan to invest in localization for Arabic speaking countries in 2018.

The list with top languages for translation also includes German, Russian, Portuguese and Hindi. If you speak any of these languages, you’ll increase your chances of working in well paid translation projects.

More Marketers Will Invest in Localization Services

Localization and translation services make up the fourth fastest growing industry at the moment. With more companies developing localized content for local markets, you can find many work opportunities as a translator.

Companies are looking for multilinguals specialized in marketing and localization. They need experts who can translate various types of content and then tailor marketing campaigns for specific target audiences.

From translating user manuals and software to adapting commercial messages for local markets, there’s a lot of work to be done in this field.

As most internet users prefer to buy from companies that speak local languages, businesses need to adapt their strategies to connect with their potential customers.

Companies must localize in 2018 to maintain or increase their market shares. About 65 percent of multinational companies think that localization is important or very important for increasing revenues this year. That makes for a lot of new work to be done in this industry.

A Career in Translation Means More Than Being a Translator

In 2016, they were more than 50,000 interpreters and translators working in the industry in the US alone. According to statistics, in 2020, the number of specialists in this field will reach 90,000.

Following a career in the language industry can take you way beyond plain translation. Localization projects require well-prepared project managers to guide teams. This includes translators, linguists, programmers, local marketing experts and localization engineers. If you have the right skills for the job, you can try building a solid career in translation without having to speak four languages.

Besides translation and interpretation services, companies in this industry provide a wide range of complementary services. Subtitling, dubbing and voice-over are other areas in which you can start building a career in translation.

Translators Learn Something New and Useful with Every Project

A career in translation keeps you permanently updated about the latest trends in your niche. Whether you work as a translator or an interpreter, this job forces you to keep learning to deliver the best results for your clients.

Some domains are more demanding than others. Medical and technical translation, for example, require much more than just knowing the terminology in both the original and the target language.

When translating medical journals or users manuals, you need to understand the context of your translation. Knowing the topics in discussion well allows you to deliver high quality translations, using the right terms and the correct writing style.

Permanent learning is an important element when building your career in translation, in any niche. You must keep up with the latest discoveries and trends, whether you translate a declaration of specifications for the pharma industry or a novel for a publishing house.

In any domain, knowing how people speak and what words they use gives you a huge advantage over your competitors.

A Word on Machine Translation

Machine translation and automatic tools won’t steal your job. A career in translation means learning to use CAT tools to work better and faster. We’re talking about complex software that can help you do your job with less room for errors. Free online tools still can’t provide accurate results, or replace human translation.

If you learn to use translation tools, you’ll be able to reduce turnarounds and keep payments in line with your peers. CAT tools are meant to help translators become better at what they do. They can’t do the job alone.

So, if you start a career in translation in 2018–as a freelancer or inside a company–you’ll still have a job in the following years!

This industry allows you to develop your skills and get better with every new project you take. You’ll get to earn more as you progress in your career. And even better than that? You get to specialize in a specific domain and become an expert in your niche.

With so many reasons to consider a career in translation this year, there’s only one question left to ask–what are you waiting for?