Humanise your career

The choice of a career is possibly one of the most critical decisions of our lives. It not only shapes our future but also determines our lifestyle.

IT IS a misconception that candidates from non-humanities are the ones required to fill in the desired post or a job. Well! That is passi today. There are wide ranges of options for students from the humanities background. Teaching, journalism, advertising, civil services, armed services, foreign trade, book-keeping to name a select few.

A latest area of interest, lot in demand today is that of translation and interpretation. Hobbies like photography, sports and performing arts under proper guidance can be taken up as professions. Most of the colleges have introduced vocational subject studies at the degree level that could provide the added specialisation for candidates wishing to enter these fields.

Languages

Language is the most effective and powerful means of communication. The advent of globalisation has made it imperative to understand the various languages spoken all over the world for the need to communicate effectively. There is a growing demand for translators and interpreters.

Interpretation

The job of an interpreter is to relay the meaning of a speech often on complicated subjects almost instantaneously. The technique can be learned, but the talent and temperament are inborn.

Conference Interpreters - At international conferences interpreters may do either `simultaneous' or `consecutive' interpretation.

Business and Specialist Interpreters - The skills of these specialists are required when receiving trade delegations, negotiating international contracts and at trade fairs to name a few. Specialist interpreters may need specialist knowledge depending on the field they choose to be in.

General Interpreters - These are accredited guides who need to have a considerable amount of historical knowledge. There are avenues available as tourist guides with travel agencies, and airlines.

Translation

Translators need to translate idiomatically and should possess the ability to write lucidly and concisely. Merely being bilingual is not sufficient. It is imperative that translators have a good education and specialist knowledge of a range of related subjects. Most translations have some specialist content - contracts require an adequate amount of legal language, scientific articles and understanding of the subject matter. Translators need to be familiar with phrases and jargons to get the accurate meaning. There are job opportunities available with publishing houses and even corporate companies that translate books, scripts and articles.

Language Teaching

Language teachers instruct students in speaking, writing and reading the language. The methods involve a wide range of activities- from conversation to story telling, AV aids, to flash cards and writing exercises.

It is necessary that the translators and interpreters have a formal training that would give them an added advantage. To teach a particular language you need to be formally trained in that language.

Photography

Of recent years, photography has emerged as a promising profession. This is considered as a unique and creative medium of self- expression. The boom of communication network has made photography a profession that has great commercial value. The art is creative, requiring a keen sense of form, style and colours. A highly exacting profession that needs the aspirant to be objective and sensitive to the subjects with the basic prerequisite being an intelligent, curious and perceptive mind. There are several areas in which photographers may specialise. Portrait work, commercial photography, advertising, industrial photography, fashion photography, feature photography and editorial photography are some of the areas that are in high demand today. You do not require a formal education background beyond schooling except in a few areas. The profession gets better with practice. There are a large number of institutions that offer courses in photography. The courses vary from six months to three years depending on the institutions.

Attributes and Remuneration

Those willing to join this profession need to possess a legal aptitude, administrative ability, numerical flair, good judgement, a keen knowledge and interest in current affairs and a willingness to put in long hours of work.

PRATIBHA GADHALAY

(pratibha.hyd@careercommunity.co.in)