Jennifer Austin

Personal Statement

I regard myself as a highly motivated enthusiastic individual.  I enjoy working hard and seeing a result from my efforts. Having progressed from studying eleven GCSEs and subsequently A Levels in German, French, Psychology and Biology I progressed to the University of Wales Swansea where I began a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) which complemented my love of languages with my interest and desire to discover more about the Psychology of human behaviour and thought processes.  As a sandwich year, of which my BA course consisted, I spent a year living just outside of Frankfurt in Germany where I took courses in German, Psychology, French and beginners Spanish.  I also had two jobs to further aid my language skills, one within the English department of the University and the other at a coffee shop. On my completion of my Bachelors degree, having already applied for a place on a MA in Business translation and Interpreting I embarked on a year travelling during which I made use of my language skills in French and German working in Canada, Spanish in South America and German in Australia and New Zealand.  During my one year masters course at Surrey University I completed my study with a language course in Mandarin Chinese and took an initiatory course in Norwegian for translation purposes.

Education

2008-2009                                      University Of Surrey, Guilford

Masters (MA) in Business Translation with Interpreting

Modules Included: German Economic/ Business Translation, Applied Interpreting Skills, Interpreting Studies, Ab Initio Norwegian for Translation Purposes, Mandarin Chinese Languages for All Course Level 1

2005-2006                                      Universität Mannheim, Germany

Socrates Erasmus Exchange Programme

Modules Included: French Cinema, Einführung in die Spanische Unterrichtung, Psychologie, Deutsch als Fremdsprache, die Theorie der Kulturwissenschaft

2003-2007                                      University Of Wales, Swansea                                     

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in German and Psychology

Modules Included: French General Language 1, French Linguistics, German General Language 1-3, Current Affairs, Foundation Course, Introduction to the Theory of Translation, Technical Translation, Identity in Modern German Literature and Words, Terms and Concepts

2001-2003                                      Westcliff High School For Girls, Essex

A-Levels

                                    Subjects Included: French, German, Biology and Psychology

1997-2001                                      The Greensward College, Essex

GCSEs

Subjects Included: Double Science Award, Maths, English, English Literature, French, German, P.E., Music and I.T Double Award

Employment

Aug. 2008-Present         West Leigh Swim School Plc, Essex

                                        Children’s Pool Party Host and Lifeguard

2003-Present                  Virgin Active, Holmes Place Leisure Centre, Essex

                                         Lifeguard and Centre Assistant

Aug. 2007-Sept. 2007     La Maison Bramblé, Quebec Canada

                                         Retail Assistant in Private French Business

Sept. 2007-Nov. 2007                 Sunshine Village Ski Resort, British Columbia Canada

                                         Food and Beverage Server

Nov. 2007-Jan.2008        Fairmont Hotel, British Columbia Canada

                                         Food and Beverage Server

March 2008- July 2008  Rydges Hotel, Queensland Australia

                                         Food and Beverage Server

Hobbies, Interests and Personal Achievements

My hobbies include participating in sport, playing and listening to music and socialising with friends.  I enjoy travelling and meeting new people, particularly making the most of opportunities to use and develop my language skills in French and German.

I am interested in the professional fields of translation and interpreting respectively and as they interact in the business market.  On completion of my masters programme in September 2009 and having gained membership within the Institute of Linguists and/or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting as a student member I hope to find work either as a part of a permanent staff or as a freelance to enrich my language skills with professional experience.

My personal achievements outside the area of academics include a certificate in First Aid at Work, holding a national pool lifeguard qualification (NPLQ), playing the flute up to Grade 7 standard and participating in runs in aid of various charities.

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