I graduated from the University of Salford with a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages and Linguistics which included two 6-month work placements in Germany and Spain. In Germany I was fortunate enough to obtain a work placement in the translation department at Deutsche Post, where I cut my teeth on logistics and customer-service-related texts. This was a great opportunity and really awakened my passion for translating – it also cemented my love for Germany. Therefore, almost immediately after graduation, I relocated to Germany to forge a career as a translator.

After gaining my first real experience through a large freelance project translating an online portal for tradespeople, I worked for a year as an in-house translator where I gained experience in the areas of fashion and marketing. I also managed multi-language, quick-turnaround projects for a key client, which helped me hone my organizational skills in order to adhere to very tight deadlines. When I was given the opportunity to work in-house with an agency in Cologne, I jumped at the chance – it made for a much more comfortable commute! Here I was able to develop the skills I already had and also learn new ones such as maintaining and updating client terminology lists and glossaries. During this time – naturally with the approval of the agency I worked for! – I began to acquire direct clients in the culinary and jewellery sectors, who I worked for on a freelance basis. This enabled me to take the next big step; go freelance full time, and quit commuting for good!