Studies and Jobs in Translation and Interpreting. The Germersheim Survey

Presented are results of a survey conducted at the Johannes Gutenberg U of Mainz in Germersheim in 2004. Translation & interpreting graduates (N = 268) of this institution in the years 2000-2004, living in Germany & abroad, were sent questionnaires on their experience of studying for & professionally performing translation/interpreting. Following brief remarks on the study's representativeness (268 responses were received from the total of 882 questionnaires sent out), answers received to the various questions are discussed, including: (1) the match between the language(s) chosen for the major study course & the language(s) required for the job, (2) the match between the various skills learned during the study course & the skills required on the job, (3) the relevance of other, minor study courses taken at the university for the job performed, (4) job search strategies & the difficulty/ease of finding a job in the translator/interpreting profession, (5) the type of job performed (job title), (6) type of employment (eg, permanent position, self-employed, temporary/part-time employment), & (7) job satisfaction, promotional opportunities, pay, & work hours per week. Figures. Z. Dubiel