savvy-newcomer-header

The Savvy Newcomer aims to serve newcomers to the translation and interpreting professions by publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed content on a weekly basis. We strive to provide you with the answers to the many questions you face as a new or aspiring translator or interpreter.

Embracing the Part-Time Paradigm: Empowering Part-Time Professionals to Adopt the Small-Business-Owner Mentality

By The Savvy Newcomer | March 11, 2025
Embracing the Part-Time Paradigm Empowering Part-Time Professionals To Adopt the Small-Business-Owner Mentality

Many language professionals start out doing their work “on the side” of whatever else they are doing in life. When people find out you are bilingual, you may be asked to do some volunteer interpreting to help out a friend, family member, or someone in need, or you may agree or be expected to do the occasional translation—and maybe even get paid for it. Volunteering and doing small side jobs are great ways to gain experience and improve your skills as a translator or interpreter. But in order to be a professional—whether you plan on doing this work part-time or…

Read More

From ATA’s Divisions: The Spanish Division

By The Savvy Newcomer | August 22, 2013

By Francesca Samuel ATA Spanish Division Administrator When I was asked to write an article for the newest ATA blog, I felt excited and honored to be asked to contribute to its maiden voyage. What would I write about? What would new members want to know? How could I engage them, if only for a few minutes? I thought about…

Read More

The story behind the blog

By The Savvy Newcomer | July 23, 2013

This blog was born on a brainstormy day, drawing on suggestions from the ATA Newcomers listserv and the recently created Student Involvement Committee. But to understand the true nature of The Savvy Newcomer, we need to take a look at the role played by both groups and the people who have made this blog possible. When Helen Eby became Assistant…

Read More