I'm happy to report that I successfully completed my first semester of graduate school at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS). I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, so there have been some surprises along the way. I've learned a lot this semester about the localization industry. I've met some incredible people, made some valuable connections, and gained a much clearer understanding of my interests. Here are some thoughts about a couple of my favorite courses.
Intro to Computer Assisted Translation - This course was useful for learning the advantages of using technology to assist in the process of translation. The professor used WordFast to introduce students to the basic principles of translation memory software. Most of the assignments involved using WordFast to create term bases, to translate, and to edit. This was beneficial to me because of my relative lack of experience with TM software.
Localization as a Profession - This course offered a broad overview of the localization industry. Additionally, it addressed several aspects of localization in greater detail--topics such as project management, budgeting, company structure, and the internationalization of code. This was easily my favorite class because the assignments were case studies--real problems that we worked to solve.
Marketing Management - This is a course from the MBA core here at MIIS. Taught by an incredibly experienced and engaging professor, this course really stirred my interest in the business management aspect of localization. The problems we tackled in this class really got me excited about eventually moving beyond project management and becoming a program manager.