All of those remarks are valid. I'm in the thick of both right now.
After first training and qualifications in law and languages, I worked in the law where language skills were required. Concentrating thereafter on the language skills to earn a living, the legal experience instilled confidence in clients. That's what they reported anyway!
Twenty odd years translating and interpreting, I started considering training as a speech therapist but got side-tracked by an interest in autism and related issues. Lots of private reading, a couple of correpondence courses later and bingo, here I am in the full throes of a research masters in biology, health and neuroscience.
Objective number one is autism research. I originally was all out on doing that in one particular place but am no longer ruling out the possibility of doing the PhD in the US, Canada or even the UK!!! (I live in France).
As head of a family of two hungry endlessly growing teenage children, I have to make sure the money comes in. Study is full-time, translating is now part-time. I also work with autistic children from time to time and teach English (only in situations where I really like the set-up).
It means being filthy stinking rich : I'm not. It actually means begin organised, letting go, concentrating on what is important and remaining cool. My children are not tiny but it is amazing how much they still need an adult. There's nothing like settling down to a nice piece of work to suddenly appear absolutely essential to their fundmental existence.
I moved to a new town and region to take up the offer of a place on this course. That means hoping you kids don't sometimes come out with "I never asked to come here!". They have said it, once, each. What parent never hears that sort of thing. Pff!
By the way, got to go as I have a pharmacology exam tomorrow after one on biophysics today.
"Mum!!! What's for dinner???..."
"Mum, seen my socks???"
Normal for anyone no?
Answers to the questions put are :
"It's in the fridge. Prepare it" (Suddenly less hungry, door closes, music turned up...)
"Yes". (Idem supra).
My choice has taught my children that they can adapt, quickly. I knew they could. They showed me they could do it faster and better than I expected. I have learnt to accept that I will not get the type of marks in the exams I would normally expect to achieve as I sometimes have to cut short and finish something off superficially. Family comes first, it has to. I also consider that year to year, or that at any moment in time in fact, I may have to stop. After the masters? After the PhD? After a post-doc? Might not get that far! It will always be positive. Not always easy but always positive.
Day in the life of...
Nikki
[Edited at 2012-01-03 18:23 GMT]
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Susanna Martoni Italy Local time: 00:03 Member (2009) Spanish to Italian + ...
Yes, difficult but possible
Jan 3
Thank you for all your answers.
I am 45, full-time translator, single mother with a 6 years old daughter to grow up and we live alone.
Family, work, parents who need some help, errands and now I am also attending the University (Communication Sciences).
I am so enthusiastic about my job and the University that I feel (I must, I want, I hope to get it...) that I can actually take my Degree and I am doing my best to balance everything.
You're right: difficult (sometimes strenuous) but possibile.
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Muriel Vasconcellos United States Local time: 15:03 Member (2003) Spanish to English + ...
@Susanna
Jan 4
Keep up the good work! It's possible, but for a single mom with a child, it's a humongous challenge. My housemate was in your shoes and earned her Master's in social work.
I was able to do it, but I didn't have a child. For the last five years, I've been studying horticulture and landscape design. Most of the time I only take one course a semester. My business continued to do well. However, I have decided to write a book, and this semester, for the first time, I have decided not to study. At some point you have to pick your priorities.
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that once the qualification attained, either now or in June, then after one next step, I will be able to live from working in science. I certainly intend to continue translating, just for pleasure.
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