The European Graduate Placement Scheme: an integrated approach to preparing Master’s in Translation graduates for employment

ABSTRACT

A number of initiatives have sought to better prepare Master’s in Translation graduates for employment in the language industry: from the European Master’s in Translation network and Optimale to schemes offering internships such as ELIA Exchange, Agora and the European Graduate Placement Scheme (EGPS), the subject of this paper. Traditionally, internships have complemented work in the classroom by adding practice to theory. EGPS instead takes an integrated approach to the curriculum, with theory and practice in both classroom and workplace. Students move from basic instruction to authentic projects in the classroom, leading naturally into a work placement which, supported by occupational standards for translation, incorporates self-reflection and prepares for lifelong learning. The benefits of the scheme for universities, employers and students have been evaluated through questionnaires, interviews and case studies, and much has been learned. It was expected that the database of work placements would attract the most attention from universities. In fact, there has been almost equal interest and debate over the curriculum model, which different universities are adapting to suit their needs. Originally developed by a partnership of five institutions, EGPS now has 40 member universities and over 60 employers. The scheme has led to a range of useful spin-offs and recommendations.

KEYWORDS:

• Translator education
• experiential learning
• work placements
• reflective student portfolio
• EGPS

Acknowledgements

The EGPS team leaders (Helen Astley, Chus Fernandez-Prieto, Olga Torres Hostench, Don Kiraly and Maria Piotrowska) would like to thank their teams and all the many employers, academics and students who gave their time to contribute to this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by the EACEA under Grant number 526,808-LLP-1-2012-1-UK-ERASMUS-ECUE.