Poll: What format of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) do you prefer to undertake? Autor wątku: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What format of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) do you prefer to undertake?".
This poll was originally submitted by Angus Stewart. View the poll results »
| | | | Julian Holmes 
Japonia
Local time: 22:12
Członek ProZ.com
od 2011
japoński > angielski
| Informal/Self guided study | Dec 8, 2013 |
Technical translation accounts for over 95% of my work. So my CPD involves lots of reading through past manuals, technical information bulletins and specialized books, etc. to gain a broader and deeper knowledge and understanding of what I am translating about.
In the past, I was often invited to attend product orientation and training sessions at showrooms. I also visited the shop floor on many occasions and enjoyed chatting with workers and engineers during breaks. It was fun gett... See more Technical translation accounts for over 95% of my work. So my CPD involves lots of reading through past manuals, technical information bulletins and specialized books, etc. to gain a broader and deeper knowledge and understanding of what I am translating about.
In the past, I was often invited to attend product orientation and training sessions at showrooms. I also visited the shop floor on many occasions and enjoyed chatting with workers and engineers during breaks. It was fun getting out of the office and getting my hands nice and grubby. 
Unfortunately, with increased security at manufacturing sites these days, opportunities for visiting manufacturing and assembly lines are few and far between, which is a huuuge shame because I learnt soooo much through hands-on training that is difficult to gain from just reading books.
Aaaaah, the good 'ole days. Sigh......
@Angus
Pity this more 'serious' of topics could not have been programmed for a weekday where it could be getting more attention from a higher turnout.
Small edits
[Edited at 2013-12-08 10:18 GMT]
[Edited at 2013-12-08 10:24 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | A combination | Dec 8, 2013 |
I read books and articles in specialised areas. I've also attended a few webinars, but they are often expensive, and the information they provide could often be summarised onto one sheet of paper.
| | | | David Wright
Austria
Local time: 15:12
niemiecki > angielski
+ ...
The work I do - I consider the researching and background reading to be the best form of CPD.
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Angus Stewart
Wielka Brytania
Local time: 14:12
francuski > angielski
+ ...
| A mixture of the above | Dec 8, 2013 |
In my own case I make use of different formats to meet my various needs.
At present, I have a preference for accredited courses, since it allows the CPD to be undertaken in a more structured manner and it is something that can be marketed to clients. When I previously completed a couple of accredited courses in a subject area outside my specialist discipline, a couple of clients subsequently offered me a small volume of translation work in that field.
I also make use of... See more In my own case I make use of different formats to meet my various needs.
At present, I have a preference for accredited courses, since it allows the CPD to be undertaken in a more structured manner and it is something that can be marketed to clients. When I previously completed a couple of accredited courses in a subject area outside my specialist discipline, a couple of clients subsequently offered me a small volume of translation work in that field.
I also make use of informal/self guided study and webinars, but will be placing more emphasis on these forms of CPD as from next year due to a planned relocation. The explanation is that there will be fewer opportunities to undertake accredited courses in my new location and what courses there are will be considerably more expensive.
Workshops and seminars are also part of the mix, since the opportunity to interact with fellow professionals often provides a fresh perspective. However, the cost and time commitment entailed in travelling to the events that would be most relevant to me, mean that I do not participate as often as I would like.
Julian Holmes wrote:
@Angus
Pity this more 'serious' of topics could not have been programmed for a weekday where it could be getting more attention from a higher turnout.
@ Julian
Agreed, but the results are interesting nonetheless. The low level of votes for workshops and seminars is an intriguing revelation. I wonder what the explanation might be?
I have to admit that the topic of CPD is one that is of personal interest to me. I'm curious as to what type of CPD translators find most useful and as to how that might evolve over the course of a translating career, according to changing needs and circumstances.
[Edited at 2013-12-08 13:50 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Julian Holmes
Japonia
Local time: 22:12
Członek ProZ.com
od 2011
japoński > angielski
@Angus
Thanks for the thumbs up!
Angus Stewart wrote:
@ Julian
Agreed, but the results are interesting nonetheless. The low level of votes for workshops and seminars is an intriguing revelation. I wonder what the explanation might be?
Probably a whole variety of reasons -- geographical location, cost, time involved, or lack of perceived relevance or specificity relating to translators' own particular circumstances come to mind.
Perhaps organizing seminars or special interest workshops that count as credits towards a greater, loftier goal such as a Dip. Trans or some other kind of officially recognized accreditation would provide greater stimulus and meaning to this investment in time, money and effort.
However, I do strongly feel that any serious translator would be, by default, committed to self-improvement at any level -- organized or informal.
The longer in the tooth I become, the more passionate I feel about this.
Edited one word
[Edited at 2013-12-09 07:10 GMT]
| | | | Thayenga
Niemcy
Local time: 15:12
Członek ProZ.com
od 2009
angielski > niemiecki
+ ...
| A combination | Dec 8, 2013 |
Aside from the daily professional development such as reseach, translations, etc., I read books and, time permitting, attend specific seminars.
| | | | Angus Stewart
Wielka Brytania
Local time: 14:12
francuski > angielski
+ ...
| Discernible Trends | Dec 8, 2013 |
Julian Holmes wrote: Angus Stewart wrote:
@ Julian
Agreed, but the results are interesting nonetheless. The low level of votes for workshops and seminars is an intriguing revelation. I wonder what the explanation might be?
Probably a whole variety of reasons -- geographical location, cost, time involved, or lack of perceived significance or specificity relating to translators' own particular circumstances come to mind. Perhaps organizing seminars or special interest workshops that count as credits towards a greater, loftier goal such as a Dip. Trans or some other kind of officially recognized accreditation would provide greater stimulus and meaning to this investment in time, money and effort.
I suspect you may be right. In so far as I can discern a trend in the results of the poll, the fact that there are more votes for accredited courses than for workshops and seminars combined would appear to support the conclusion that translators prefer forms of CPD that provide them with a tangible outcome for their investment.
Another inference that I tentatively draw from the poll results is that the wide gulf in popularity between webinars (8.2%) and podcasts (0.3%) may indicate that the possibility for interaction is a significant consideration for translators in preferring one format over the other.
Julian Holmes wrote: However, I do strongly feel that any serious translator would be, by default, committed to self-improvement at any level -- organized or informal. The longer in the tooth I become, the more passionate I feel about this.
We think alike.
[Edited at 2013-12-08 14:10 GMT]
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| On the job training! | Dec 8, 2013 |
I don't consider formal courses to be of nearly as much use to me as the day-to-day research I routinely undertake in the course of my work. It is not unusual for me to spend half a day researching the background for a 1,000 word translation, as much of my work is technical and fairly complex. This is far more relevant to me than gaining certificates or qualifications to impress potential employers.
Steve K.
| | | | Enrico Zoffoli
Włochy
Local time: 15:12
Członek ProZ.com
od 2013
niemiecki > włoski
+ ...
| None of the above | Dec 8, 2013 |
I work 70 hours a week, that's my professional training.
| | | | | Tax deductible | Dec 8, 2013 |
I wonder what success self-employed translators have had in claiming CPD activities as deductible expenses. This will vary from country to country of course.
Has anyone ever found anything worthwhile through European funding via set-ups such as "Fundación Tripartita" in Spain (not available for the self-employed though)?
| | | | Yaotl Altan
Meksyk
Local time: 07:12
Członek ProZ.com
od 2006
angielski > hiszpański
+ ...
Webinars are the best way to reach huge audiences with relatively simple computing systems.
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| a bit of everything | Dec 8, 2013 |
is my motto, but like Julian and various others, I spend a lot of time researching online.
I can't understand the 25% who do no CPD at all, surely, reading and online research is part of that!
I would like to attend more seminars online, unfortunately they are usually at the wrong time for me as a mum with a school child!
IEEE offers very useful (free) webinars, etc. online FYI.
| | | | Adnan Özdemir
Turcja
Local time: 16:12
Członek ProZ.com
od 2007
niemiecki > turecki
+ ...
| I do not need any form of formal CPD! | Dec 8, 2013 |
I do not need any form of formal CPD!
Myself
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Since 1989 translator
I am learning languages since 1978.
I was owner of a translation agency in the middle of 90's...
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Learning every day new words and have enough business experiences.
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Saludos/Selamlar
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I said "none," but of course my work is my CDP. There's no substitute for hands-on professional practice.
I taught translation at Georgetown University for 14 years, and I became increasingly convinced that practice is the only way to get perfect.
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