Xiang Li

What did you enjoy most about studying your MA English-Chinese Interpreting with Translation course at Birmingham? 

I really enjoyed simultaneous interpretation. The first time I walked into the classroom and saw the interpreting booth, I was incredibly excited. As a student, seeing the professional setup made everything feel real. The first time I did simultaneous interpretation was nerve-wracking, but exciting as well.

How has your Master's degree influenced your career journey?

Well, I would say that getting this degree helped me explore my career and start my own companies. My undergraduate degree was in English rather than interpreting, and this Master's degree enabled me to gain the necessary techniques for interpreting and provided a foundation for a freelance career or a start-up company in a professional UK environment.

What skills did you gain from your course and studying at Birmingham that you still use today?

First of all, I learned how to communicate effectively in a business setting.

Secondly, I developed core interpreting skills such as consecutive interpreting, note-taking, shadowing and presentation skills. Although my original goal was to work mainly in simultaneous interpreting, I later realised that in real professional settings consecutive interpreting often requires even stronger presentation and delivery skills.

In addition, I gained practical experience using a simultaneous interpreting booth and professional equipment, which I still use in my work today.

How did your course prepare you for your career?

We had several on-site interpreting sessions, such as at museums focused on art and geology, which helped prepare us for real life audience facing settings. The intensive interpreting practice also helped sharpen my interpreting skills.