My background of literary and technical experience in the world of work before freelancing is an odd combination, but one which has followed me from an early age, that is, an aptitude for both languages (German, French, Latin) and sciences at school, and a love of English (literature etc.) and the written word.

However, this has equipped me well for the translation world, as good writing is crucial whatever the subject matter of the text to be translated......... 

Education:

•  BA Honours Degree in German/French (Goldsmiths, University of London). 

Employment history before becoming a freelance translator:

•  Almost three years spent living in Germany (Munich), working in a telecoms 
    department at Siemens, following my degree.
•  Three years' experience working for a translation/language publications company in
    the UK (Leeds), including trips to international translation/interpreting conferences.   
    Writing reviews, articles and acting as editorial assistant of a languages e-zine.
•  Four years' translation experience working in a telecoms software company based in
    the UK (Leeds), involving projects in Germany/France (including one year of travelling
    to Bonn every week as a project translator/administrator).

Training in programming and database design. Localisation and technical authoring skills. Copy editing and proofreading skills.

Freelancer since May 2002:

Translation experience in many subject areas:
•  Business: Banking, financial, legal, marketing, retail, e-commerce.
•  IT: Computers, HW, SW, SW localisation, programming, telecoms, websites.
•  Technical: Automotive, cars, trucks, technical manuals, GPS vehicle tracking.
    Medical/devices/life sciences. Scientific (research).

I also have a lot of MTPE work experience (German/French>English).

My working hours are very flexible.