The Professional Edge of Volunteering with OLI
When you think about volunteering, the first thing that often comes to mind is altruism — the desire to give back and support a cause you believe in. While that noble motivation is certainly at the heart of the Open Language Impact (OLI), we also firmly believe that contributing your skills can be a powerful catalyst for your own professional growth. For translators, volunteering with OLI isn’t just about charity; it’s a strategic step to elevate your career.
Beyond Giving Back: Gaining Real-World Experience
In today’s fast-paced language industry, practical experience is paramount. At OLI, our volunteers don’t just work on theoretical exercises; they engage with real-life projects for direct clients, addressing pressing humanitarian and environmental needs worldwide. Unlike the often-filtered experience of working solely through Language Service Providers (LSPs), OLI’s structure offers a direct connection to the people who truly need and use the translation. This exposure is invaluable for translators aiming to expand their services beyond handling CAT tool files and translation tasks isolated from their final use and context. Here, our translators are a vital part of the solution, not merely a step in a larger process, gaining experience that can truly elevate their professional game. We insist on delivering professional results because impactful work demands nothing less.
The Power of Collaborative Learning
Aside from being eligible to join our training platform Elevate, one of the unique advantages of volunteering with OLI is our commitment to collaborative teamwork. Every translator works in a team of at least two, alongside a dedicated reviewer. This structure provides an unparalleled opportunity for learning and development for lesser experienced translators and mentorship/leadership opportunities for more senior ones. You’ll receive valuable, constructive feedback from experienced translators and reviewers, helping you refine your skills and grow, no matter your current career stage. This peer-to-peer mentorship is a cornerstone of our approach, ensuring continuous improvement in a supportive environment.
Access to Cutting-Edge Technology
We understand that staying current with industry technology is vital for professional translators. That’s why OLI provides its volunteers with access to modern, state-of-the-art translation software. Nearly all of our projects are handled in Bureau Works (BWX), a leading cloud-based translation management system.
Working with BWX offers numerous advantages for our volunteers:
- Intuitive Interface: An easy-to-use platform that simplifies your workflow. An example translation editor screen is below.
- Integrated CAT Tools: Access to advanced CAT tools, including comprehensive and intuitive AI features, for efficient translation, consistent terminology and quality validation.
- Best Practice Processes: OLI has implemented industry-standard workflows and processes, mirroring those of enterprise-level LSPs.
- Centralised Resources: All project files, glossaries, and translation memories are easily accessible in one place.
- Cloud-Based Flexibility: Work from anywhere, anytime, with seamless collaboration.
We extend our sincere thanks to our tech partner Bureau Works* for this invaluable collaboration, enabling our volunteers to work with a truly professional platform. Proficiency gained through Bureau Works can enable faster and more effective adoption of other leading translation technologies as you encounter them in the commercial translation environment.
Click the image to watch Gabriel Fairman translate using Bureau Works.
Join Our Mission, Grow Your Career
Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to give back or an aspiring translator eager to gain practical experience, OLI offers a unique pathway for professional development. Our commitment to high standards, collaborative learning, and cutting-edge tools ensures that your time with us is mutually beneficial.
Ready to make a difference while enhancing your translation career? Sign up as a volunteer with OLI today and become part of a movement that connects by words and unites beyond borders!
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