Tips for personal growth in localization
Recently, someone asked me:
“I've been in the language industry as a project manager. I have some localization experience and want to deepen my knowledge. Do you have any advice on advancing my career, best practices, or essential skills to grow in this role?”
I wanted to share my answer here to help others in a similar situation.
Whether you're new to localization or looking to advance, these steps can help you grow. Practical experience is important, but continuous learning is key. There's always more to learn in this field. Here are some key areas to focus on:
1. Start Using ChatGPT
Try ChatGPT. It's a helpful tool for work and learning. Here are some ways it can help:
Generate a learning path tailored to your career goals.
Create translations or paraphrases.
Ask for best practices or workflow tips, get templates for common tasks, and stay updated with industry trends.
Brainstorm project management ideas.
2. Keep Up with Industry Knowledge
Localization is always evolving with changes in technology, market demands, and regulations. To stay up to date:
Industry Resources: Attend webinars, read blogs and newsletters to keep up with industry news.
LinkedIn: Engage with professionals on LinkedIn
3. Learn Translation Management Systems (TMS)
Get comfortable with Translation Management Systems (TMS) like XTM, Phrase, Lokalise, Smartcat, Crowdin, and Transifex. A TMS helps manage and streamline translation projects by organizing workflows, automating processes, and maintaining consistency. Knowing these tools well helps with daily tasks and understanding the entire process.
Practice: Use these platforms on test projects to learn features like workflow automation, reporting, and quality assurance.
4. Learn How to Approach Different Content Types
Different content types have unique localization needs. While workflows may be similar, each type requires special attention. Examples include software localization, marketing content, documentation and knowledge bases.
5. Expand Your Network and Knowledge
I read something many years ago that helped me a lot:
Don't limit your learning or networking to just people in your industry.
Learn from those outside your field to gain a wider perspective. Read books and articles from other industries to understand different needs and approaches.
Marketing and Sales: Understand how localization affects marketing and sales.
Engineering: Learn about the technical challenges faced by engineers.
Presentation Skills: Develop the ability to present your ideas clearly.
6. Use Free Resources
There's plenty of free information available online:
YouTube Tutorials: Watch TMS videos on youtube and other tutorials.
ChatGPT Resources: Learn how to use ChatGPT. Great tool for learning.
Microsoft Globalization Resources: Check Microsoft's globalization page for best practices.
Google i18n: Read Google's internationalization resources.
i18n Libraries: Explore internationalization libraries like React-Intl or FormatJS.
Globalization Strategy Playbook: Read Globalization Strategy Playbook that is on GitHub. It is great.
Set aside dedicated time each week for learning. In my opinion investing 30 minutes daily is often more effective than a few hours once a week.
I hope this helps someone. If you have any questions or experiences to share, leave a comment.