Happy New Year!
At the beginning of the new year we have a pleasure to announce the fifteenth winner of our monthly action: Translator of the Month, December 2018!
This initiative is our way to way to say thank you! and recognize the efforts of the industry professionals: translators, the driving force behind every translation company’s success.
We would like you to meet Elettra Zanetti, and invite you to read an interview with her.
Elettra, what do you start your work day with?
I usually spend half an hour playing with my dog or cuddling her. Then, we share breakfast, she has her own biscuit with some water and I have mine with some milk or a cup of tea. As a matter of fact, I am no fan of daily routine, so every day can be different depending on my commitments. Whenever possible I’d rather start working late in the morning, continue until late evening and then, after practising some swimming, through the night. I enjoy working at night when it is quiet and silence surrounds me. It helps me concentrate and achieve my best results. On the other hand, I am a late sleeper and seldom wake up before 9 am.
When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in translation?
Eight years ago. I had been working as a Sales Administration Officer for a multinational company for some years. It was a nice job in a steady company, but the routine was killing me. At that time, translating contracts from English into Italian was one of my tasks. One day, something clicked inside my brain and I asked myself “Why not?”. I took a year leave and attended an MA course in Translation and Interpreting in London. When I returned to Italy, I started my own business as a freelance translator
Being a freelancer, how do you find balance between work and private life?
I juggle tasks, commitments and affections. It is kind of every-day tuning and I work on it with my husband an my family. According to my experience, every career implies sacrifice and self-denial from us and a lot of understanding from those living with us. Prioritizing is capital and I have made a point of sparing some time for myself every day. I call it my “airtime”. It helps me to relax, and provides me the energy to manage everything.
What do you most enjoy about working with SeproTec?
My feeling is that Seprotec is a well-organized company, at least as far a project management is involved. However, in my opinion, no matter how well structured a company can be, it needs smart people there to keep it going. All the PMs I have worked with in Seprotec have proved to be great professionals and nice human beings, which is the perfect combination.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges the translation industry is facing nowadays?
The challenge could be summarized in two words: time and quality. Deadlines are becoming increasingly tighter and it requires a cool head and a wealth of professionalism, efficiency and expertise to meet them all while producing quality work.
Which is your favourite book?
This is a difficult question! I love a bunch of them. But if I absolutely have to pick one, then it is The Razor’s Edge by Somerset Maugham. It is a novel about the hard path to enlightment and happiness which actually lie in spirituality and knowledge, far from the conventional, materialistic life that most people pursue.
Thank you, Elettra! Working with you is a real plasure. Enjoy your SeproHoodie! 😉
