Linguist Professional Development: Building a Career in a Changing Language Industry
Understanding how language professionals develop beyond the classroom
Entering the language industry today involves more than mastering languages. Linguists are expected to navigate technology, manage increasingly complex workflows, and adapt to an evolving professional landscape where translation, quality assurance, content optimization, and cultural consulting often overlap.
At Jensen Languages, we believe that successful multilingual communication depends on combining structured processes, responsible use of technology, and human expertise. Supporting professional development is an important part of that commitment, particularly as the industry continues to evolve.
During the first semester of 2026, Karna completed her professional internship at Jensen Languages, gaining first-hand experience of the realities of working in the language industry. Her time with our team provided valuable insights into the skills, tools, and professional mindset required in today’s multilingual environment. For this reason, we decided to interview her and learn more about her academic background, internship experience, and early career perspective.
In this interview, Karna shares her journey from studying literature and linguistics to building a career in translation. Her experience highlights the opportunities, challenges, and skills that are shaping modern language industry careers.
The Interview
Can you tell us about your academic and professional background, and how you entered the language industry? Was a career as a linguist always part of your plans, or did you discover this path later in your studies and professional journey?
I have always been passionate about literature and books, so after finishing High School I decided to study English with a focus on language and literature. My degree also included linguistics and language theory, which gave me a broader understanding of how language works beyond literature itself.
I entered the language industry somewhat unexpectedly while completing my Master’s degree in English language and literature. A fellow student recommended that I apply for a position as a linguist at a language service provider, and that opportunity led me to begin working as a freelance translator alongside my studies.
After graduating, I initially planned to pursue a career in research and worked as a research assistant at a Norwegian University for two years. The project I was involved in was language-focused, and during that time I realised my interest extended beyond literature. I became increasingly interested in communication, how language connects people, and how messages are adapted for different audiences.
When that position ended, I decided to focus more seriously on translation. Because I had continued freelancing throughout my studies and research work, the transition felt natural. As part of that journey, I also chose to pursue a second Master’s degree in translation.
How did your understanding of the language industry evolve as you transitioned from university into professional environments?
I arrived at my internship with a somewhat different background than many students because I had already been working as a translator part-time for around three years. However, that experience was very different from working in a professional environment where translation became my primary focus.
Before the internship, my work had been limited to a relatively small range of clients, domains, and tools. The internship exposed me to a much broader range of projects and helped me understand just how diverse the language industry really is.
It was also valuable to gain insight into aspects of the industry that are less visible from a university perspective. I was able to see how professionals interact with clients and vendors, manage projects, and respond to industry developments such as AI. That provided a much more complete understanding of how the industry operates as a whole.
What were the main challenges you encountered when you first began working on real-world translation projects? Were these the challenges you expected to be most significant before entering the profession?
One of the biggest challenges was managing the amount of information associated with each project. Clients often provide extensive reference materials, and while that information is valuable, it is not always possible to review every document in detail within the available timeframe.
Learning how to identify the most relevant resources and determine what information was truly necessary became an important skill. Often, the challenge was not the translation itself but understanding how to navigate large volumes of information efficiently.
I also underestimated how much project management and information management would be involved in translation work. Tight deadlines combined with extensive documentation require strong organisational skills, something that is not always obvious to students entering the profession.
What aspects of your internship and early professional experience contributed most to your development as a linguist?
Having the opportunity to dedicate significant time to translation was incredibly valuable.
During university studies, your attention is divided between many different tasks. As a freelancer, you are also responsible for client management, invoicing, administration, and networking. During my internship, I was able to focus primarily on translation and skill development.
Equally important was the support of a team. One of the realities of freelance work is that you often need to solve problems independently. While that can be rewarding, access to experienced colleagues who can provide guidance and feedback accelerates learning significantly and helps build confidence.
What role do technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine translation play in your work as a linguist today?
Technology is fundamental to modern translation workflows. The work we do today, especially in remote environments, would not be possible without a wide range of digital tools and platforms.
The role of AI and machine translation varies considerably depending on the client, content type, and project objectives. Some projects benefit greatly from these technologies, while others require a different approach.
I am generally open to exploring new tools and understanding how they can improve efficiency. However, efficiency should be balanced with considerations such as quality, privacy, and the experience of the linguist. Research has shown that reviewing machine-translated content can require different types of cognitive effort than translating from scratch, which is an important consideration when evaluating workflows.
I also believe that translators must continue developing their own expertise. Technology can support the process, but language professionals still need the skills required to understand context, evaluate meaning, and make informed decisions.
How do you view the balance between technological innovation and human expertise in today's language industry?
I believe the industry needs to continue thinking carefully about this balance.
Technology should be incorporated where it adds genuine value, but there must also be space for human expertise. This goes beyond using people for quality assurance. Professionals need opportunities to develop translation skills and build the knowledge required to make informed linguistic decisions.
Technology is highly capable, but it can also produce errors that differ significantly from those humans typically make. As a result, modern linguists need the ability not only to identify their own mistakes but also to evaluate machine-generated output critically.
For me, the most effective approach combines the strengths of both. Technology can improve efficiency, but human knowledge, judgement, creativity, and communication remain essential.
What advice would you offer to students and early-career professionals looking to build a career in the language industry today?
I would encourage new professionals to stay curious and remain open to new tools, workflows, and opportunities.
The language industry is evolving rapidly, and the role of the translator is becoming broader than ever before. Today, language professionals may also work as proofreaders, quality assurance specialists, SEO optimizers, copywriters, or cultural consultants.
While these roles may appear different on the surface, they share a common foundation: understanding language, communication, and audience needs.
Rather than viewing industry changes solely as challenges, I think it is helpful to see them as opportunities. New technologies and evolving client expectations are creating new career paths, and professionals who remain adaptable will be better positioned to take advantage of them.