GSTI alumni engage in some of the most interesting, exciting and important work in the world today. In recognition this, GSTI showcases a selection of alumni profiles to highlight the type of careers and work being conducted by our graduates.
We hope that by reading about these experiences, you can share in the excitement and importance of their achievements.
"The question I faced when I came to the Institute was how to best prepare myself for a career in the expanding field of localization project management. I felt that a degree in both translation and business were the optimal combination, but wasn't sure if they could be completed simultaneously. I met with Dean de Terra, who enthusiastically supported my idea of doing a joint-degree, and has helped me pave the way for a new field of study.
My choice to study both degrees is a true asset to my management of any localization project. By combining a solid understanding of business issues with highly developed language skills, I will be able to relate more effectively with the target markets while managing my working colleagues. In addition, the time management skills I am learning while successfully juggling two degrees are an invaluable experience.
The Institute is probably the only school where it is currently possible to carry out this type of joint-degree. The worldwide prestige of the GSTI programs and the high quality of the business courses offered by the Fisher School provides a unique and valuable combination."
Summer Localization Project Management Intern
Netscape/Sun Alliance
San Jose, CA
MAT Spanish 01
MBA 01
BA, French Literature and Civilization
University of California at Berkeley
Country: United States
Anita Daley is currently completing a custom-designed double Master's degree program in Spanish Translation and International Business Administration. With seven years of experience in the publishing and consulting sectors in Spain, Anita realizes that her strengths and interests lie in the technical project management aspect of her field. Upon graduation she plans to become a localization project manager for a high-tech manufacturer.
"Before coming to the Monterey Institute, I worked with health professionals from Africa and became interested in public health and development. As a result, I have developed a specialty knowledge in medical translation/interpretation.
The superior training and guidance I received at Monterey allows me to do freelance translation and interpretation on the side, as my main occupation, or use my translation skills in an international development program like Wellstart. I like having the flexibility of these options."
Program Manager/Special Projects Translator
Wellstart International
San Diego, CA
MAT French 97
BA French Language and Literature, Cum Laude
San Diego State University
Country: United States
Pamela Davis spent five years as a Russian Cryptologic Linguist for the US Air Force in the 80's before completing her undergraduate degree at San Diego State University and working in advertising and international medical services. She came to the Monterey Institute to pursue a degree in translation and interpretation with concentrations in medical translation and interpretation.
With the help of Prof. Jane Morgan, Pamela obtained a translation internship at Multilingual Translations in San Diego during the summer of 1996. This internship propelled her into a project management position at Interpreters Unlimited. In addition to working for Wellstart, a nonprofit specializing in infant health through breast feeding, Pamela also maintains her translation skills through projects in Madagascar.
"I came to the Monterey Institute because of the excellent reputation of GSTI. GSTI faculty shows you how to use your language skills to research efficiently, synthesize information, and express yourself effectively in a manner appropriate to the context.
Completing my MATI German degree has given me tangible skills in both translation and interpretation while developing the professional disciplines to survive in the marketplace.
I was able to do an excellent European translation and interpretation internship in German and Russian through my GSTI contacts. I am now working as a contract translator for the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva. My training in patent translation at the Monterey Institute prepared me for this demanding job."
German Translation Contractor
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Geneva, Switzerland
MATI German 00
MA, Russian and East European Studies 97
Yale University
BA, German and Russian, magna cum laude, Honors in Russian 94
Bryn Mawr College
Country: United States
Carly completed a Fulbright Scholarship at Universität des Sarlandes in Germany, and a MA at Yale before beginning graduate studies at the Monterey Institute, where she worked as a research assistant with the Center for Nonproliferation Studies and as a freelancer at Lionbridge Technologies. In Summer 1999 she worked as a translation and interpretation intern in Garmisch, Germany at the prestigious George C. Marshall Center for Strategic Studies.
Carley won the award for most job offers in the Class of 2000. She accepted a contract at the World Intellectual Property Organization and declined offers from German corporations, a National Security Education Program fellowship to the Czech Republic and Kazakhstan, and the US Government.
"The Monterey Institute helped me to determine my linguistic caliber and limitations. Daily interaction with bilingual classmates and highly proficient professional instructors motivated me to further improve my skills. You can be an interpreter or translator without going to the Institute, but the Institute gives you indispensable training to become a top-notch interpreter or translator."
Software Localization Engineer
SQL & Middleware Localization Team
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond, WA
MATI, Japanese, 96
BA, Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley
Country: Japan/United States
Originally from Niigata, Japan, Terry Mihashi moved to the United States from Guam. While pursuing graduate studies at the Monterey Institute, Terry managed the student computer labs. The technical expertise and management skills he developed paved the way for his successful career as a software localization engineer in the high-tech industry.
"There have been so many valuable experiences at MIIS! Finally being in an environment where I feel “understood” – where people share a similar approach to life, where I can truly talk about my passions and meet other people who feel like “citizens of the world” rather than one place specifically. It has been wonderful to be able to talk about language the way I have over the past two years. I have had the opportunity to live with someone from Korea, meet people from all over the world, and, in general have my eyes opened."
Freelance Interpreter
New York City, NY
MACI 2004
Country: United States
Gabrielle chose to come here because she knew she wanted to study interpretation and this was the only school that offers an MA in the field of translation and interpretation. Gabrielle actually considered going abroad, thinking it would be better for her language skills to live in a country where one of her foreign languages was spoken, but she was especially attracted to the career services here, which she finds to be crucial. Gabrielle did not understand what a truly international environment MIIS is until she arrived and started studying.
Gabrielle graduated in May 2004, and will move back to New York City to work as a freelance interpreter. She hopes to work for the State Department as well as with international organizations such as the UN.
Gabrielle’s area of focus is in conference interpretation. She speaks English, French and Spanish.
"I studied Chinese for four years at Princeton and spent time in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong. I thought I was pretty proficient in the language. Until I went to Monterey however, I didn't realize how much I had to push myself to improve if I ever wanted to become a professional interpreter."
Freelance Interpreter
Washington, DC
MATI 92
BA, East Asian Studies
Princeton University
Country: United States
Within five years of graduation from the Monterey Institute, Vicky was working at the White House, interpreting for President Clinton. A year later she accompanied the President, First Lady, two Cabinet Secretaries and several members of Congress to China acting as their official interpreter.
Prior to this position, Vicky began her career as an escort and seminar interpreter for the US State Department, gradually building a clientele that included General Electric, Wall Street investment bankers, nuclear-physics labs, courts, and private businesses. After passing the State Department's conference interpreting exam, her own client work was augmented by assignments with government-related clients including the World Bank and federal agencies negotiating agreements with the Chinese. She is currently a conference interpreter for the US State Department.
"MIIS was exactly what I was looking for. Its reputation and alumni network have already opened doors for me, making the investment well worth it.
My most valuable experience has been the social network that MIIS fosters; never before have I been exposed to such a useful, vast and accessible network of current students, professors, and alumni.."
Software Engineer
MAT-T French 2004
Country: United States
"MIIS offers a unique environment where students can find a professional, graduate level education in a context of language and culture.", says Max Troyer. Max was searching for a way to leverage his professional experience and to enter into a new market; translation and interpretation.
Since Max is a software engineer, he wanted to find a way to use these skills in the French GSTI program, to eventually work in the computer field for translation software, localization or machine translation.
Max says, "MIIS is giving me the practical professional skills that translation, localization and globalization companies require, so hopefully I will find myself working for one of these companies after graduation."
Industrial Design Training Interpreter, Summer 2000
Pratt Institute, New York, NY
Medical Interpretation/Translation Intern, Summer 2000
Stanford University Hospital, Stanford, CA
Language Specialist Intern, 2000-2001
Omega International, Monterey, CA
MACI Chinese 01
BA Foreign Languages and Literature
National Taiwan University, Taipei
Country: Taiwan
Amanda first developed an interest language careers while studying in Taiwan where she interpreted for visiting US professors and the press, translated and dubbed educational marketing videos, taught English and Chinese to university and high school students, and advised exchange students from California.
While completing her MA in Conference Interpretation at the Monterey Institute, she spent the summer interpreting for Taiwanese industrial design professionals at the Pratt Institute in New York City, and she completed a medical interpretation and translation internship at Stanford University Hospital. Currently in her third semester at the Monterey Institute, Amanda is interning with Omega International in Monterey, California where she proofs translated text and creates tracking and memory tool databases with project teams.
Freelance Interpreters and Translators
Washington, DC
Stéphanie and Dylan currently reside in the Washington, DC area. When not interpreting with the Department of State or logging time with local DC-area private sector clients, they are submitting professional products via the Internet worldwide. Much of their time is spent adding to their vast trilingual library to meet the increasing demands of the freelance language professionals, and they are committed to forming alliances with other GSTI alumni in their area.
"Entering the Monterey Institute is a commitment...newly arrived students cannot possibly fathom the depth of that commitment, and ultimately where it will take them.
At the Institute, as you learn about team work and the world at large, all of your past experiences and knowledge come together, allowing you to effectively expand your professional horizons.
GSTI faculty encourages you to embrace every field, every word, and every piece of news and knowledge with curiosity and interest.
My own commitment in obtaining my degree at GSTI has expanded, and now includes a husband and new plans in the United States...horizons that I had no idea were waiting for me..."
MATI French 99
BA with Honors, English Language Université de Metz, France
Country: France
As a French native, Stéphanie has capitalized on the increasing demand for high quality, professional translators and interpreters in the global society. Prior to graduation, Stéphanie developed a portfolio of over 20 projects including interpreting for the Men's World Cup in France, the Women's Soccer World Cup in the United States, and Stanford Health Services. Since graduation, she has expanded her professional abilities to include project management and localization. Her client list includes Kodak, Lucent Technologies, Microsoft, and firms in electronics, flooring and sporting goods.
"I had spent over a decade running around the world, learning, working, traveling, and endeavoring to build solid skill sets. When I was ready to polish and channel those years of experience, I chose the Monterey Institute because it offered the only masters level degree in translation and interpretation in the US. This degree was the crown jewel in my portfolio as I began to work as a freelance translator and interpreter.
I often define luck as the place where opportunity and preparation meet. My Monterey Institute Master's Degree provided me with internationally recognized preparation and opened the door to a wealth of opportunities."
MATI Spanish 99
BA with Honors, Spanish and English, University of Nevada at Reno
Country: United States
With SOLO emergency medical technician, US National Ski Patrol, and Rocky Mountain Avalanche School training added to his paramedic field experience in Central America, Dylan was well equipped to be the first medical interpretation intern at the Mayo Clinic in Summer 1997. During his second year at the Institute, he worked part-time for AT&T Language Line Services in Monterey as a 911 emergency interpreter. By graduation, Dylan had amassed over 25 translation and interpretation experiences as diverse as authoring the Geomed Medical Glossary in El Salvador to translating for the Men's World Cup in France. Employers appreciated his range of work experience and were eager to give him freelance contracts after graduation.
