Smart Localization started as a place to ruminate about my experiences as a graduate student. It was easy to write because everything I learned was new to me, and it was fun to connect with professionals and receive feedback from helpful people who were willing to mentor me.
This is the part that's difficult to believe! Since beginning this blog over a year ago, I've learned about and participated in the language industry in ways I never could have anticipated. From interning with localization clients and vendors to rubbing shoulders with industry leaders at Localization World, to creating a student-run localization service for the Monterey Institute, there hasn't been a dull moment.
This May I will graduate from the Monterey Institute, and I will no longer be a student! So, it's time for Smart Localization to undergo a transformation. Among the most important experiences during my education have been opportunities to network and learn from professionals. One of Smart Localization's new purposes will be to assist students in making the transition from academia to professional life in the localization industry.
In order to do so, Smart Localization will be utilizing social media to create a space for students to meet and interact with localization professionals and to engage in conversations related to the industry. In particular, I'm excited to announce that Smart Localization will be hosting Hangouts on Google+ to facilitate these discussions. (Here's an example of how this looks if you're unfamiliar with the technology.) Look for these hangouts to begin in the next month or so...hope to see you there!