ROAR

The localization industry is super interesting, but it also comes with intensive schedules and pressure. In that context, prioritizing mental health is highly important for providing us with the energy to not only deal with the challenges in work but also care for our loved ones and ourselves. 

In this episode, we invited Laura DeCook, founder of LDC Wellbeing, which offers engaging and interactive workshops to support people's mental well-being. Before founding her own company, Laura had extensive experience serving as a well-being specialist in big tech corporations. 

We talked about how Laura moved from films and tech into mental health, how important it is to talk about mental health issues, and what students and people in the localization industry can do to boost their mental well-being. 

If you like this episode or think somebody will like this episode, share and subscribe to our podcast! 

Join us in this episode to learn what these 5 Japanese localizers do and how they make it to where they are today.

Join us for an insightful interview with Vanesa, a seasoned professional in the field of localization. From her journey into the language services industry to her current role as Localization Quality Manager at Acclaro, Vanesa shares her experiences, challenges, and the unique dynamics of her position. Discover the intricacies of quality management, the essential skills required, and the impact of technology on enhancing project quality. Whether you're aspiring to be a Quality Manager or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of localization, Vanesa's perspective offers valuable insights. Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the world of language services with a seasoned expert.

In this episode, Nina Hampton sits down with Rebecca Guttentag, a localization producer at Riot Games, talks about her journey into games localization, workflows and processes associated with producing and localizing a AAA game, the structure of Riot's localization team, what makes it good localization producer, and why you shouldn't be afraid to admit that you don't know something.

Listen in to hear more about the world of Games Localization.

One of many things that soon-to-be graduates worry about is how to apply the skills and knowledge obtained in the classroom to the real world. Entry level positions are no longer truly "entry level"- future graduates will need to go in with ideas at the ready. So how can future graduates implement things, such as localizability checks and content briefs, that were learned in classes and inject them into the company?

In this episode, we talk to Yelena Proskurin, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS), about her experience implementing new workflows and processes during her professional career and how future graduates can apply the topics that they learned during their time at MIIS to entry level job positions.

When entering the Localization Industry, one is often asked, "Do you want to work on the client side or vendor side?" More often than not, the response is usually client side. Deciding whether to aim for the client side or vendor side can be a big decision. We sat down with Winnie Heh, Career Advisor at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey focused in helping students in the Language industry, to discuss her experience and knowledge of the two great halves of Localization. Winnie speaks on the perceived differences in working conditions many have regarding the client and vendor side. 

Now that we are in the third year of the covid-19 pandemic, remote working becomes the new norm for many people all over the world. How does the localization industry incorporate this shift? What are some benefits and difficulties managing a localization team in remote? Join us with Raffaella Buschiazzo, who is a localization director at Salesforce and learn how she and her team manage the transition.

Our passions can lead us anywhere we let them take us. Join us in this episode of ROAR as the co-founder of a computer-assisted translation software Termsoup Joanne Chou takes us through her journey from a translator to an entrepreneur. She will share how her experience as a translator and a UI/UX designer helped her during this transition and how staying in touch with the community can drive the improvement.

Welcome back to ROAR: Deep Dive—a podcast produced by the Middlebury Institute’s Translation and Localization Management Program, bringing together global voices from the Localization industry. In this episode, we have the great privilege of hearing from Aki Ito, CEO of Localization Guy LLC and rock musician, for a very special conversation about career and personal development. With thought provoking conversation Aki encourages us to take a step back from the stress-ridden details of career planning and learn to see ourselves, and our own place in the world, from a wider perspective. Aki shares with us his own story of career development, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how those lessons have brought him to his current dream of becoming a rock star. Even for people not in the localization industry, this is one message from an industry leader that is sure to inspire.

Have you thought about exploring more career opportunities in the localization industry? Ann Chen, the business development manager at BLEND—a language service provider, is responsible for maintaining a positive relationship with clients and actively seeking out potential new clients. Throughout her journey in the localization industry, she has taken on many roles including freelancer, project manager, and business development specialist. In this episode, Ann shared how she prepared for each transition and what are necessary qualifications of a BDM.