Some translators will be self-taught professionals, but a solid education is a common feature of a successful freelance translator's career.
A great writing domain is required for a successful translator. You can learn a specific field of knowledge and certainly improve your writing skills over time. However, the better a writer you are before beginning a career in translation, the more likely you are to succeed in the translation industry.
There should be no distractions around when working as a freelance translator. Of course, a freelance translator may be responsible for children when they return from school, and a break for dinner with a friend will assist a translator in recharging their batteries. The better a translator is at working alone, the more productive and happy she or he will be as a freelance translator.
When you work in a company, there will be many people whose sole purpose is to assist in the organization of work throughout the company. Because freelance translators work on their own, they must have a well-organized workspace and work processes.
Translation is becoming increasingly reliant on technology. While translation is still a human craft, software such as CAT-Tools are becoming indispensable. CAT-Tools allow you to leverage previous translations, significantly reducing waste from repeated translations.
Working with languages for the rest of your life will be a much better experience if you already enjoy them. If you know you are not interested in language in general, you should consider a career other than freelance translation.
