The analysis did not include contacting each hiring manager to confirm if each skill was really required or desired as described in the posting. This was not a totally random sample of jobs over an extended period, but a selection of all jobs on and that required or desired translation technology skills at a single point in time. The numbers from this analysis are not perfect. The chart below shows that current job postings mention Trados more than all other non-SDL tools combined.
Job seekers want to have multiple good options and they wonder if it will be enough to know an alternative tool when so many job opportunities mention Trados specifically. Uncertainty is the main concern expressed to me by students and professionals who have only learned alternative tools. With all those great arguments in favor of learning alternative programs, why would someone still worry about learning Trados? Similarly, in my career, I have helped my partners and employers to build new technologies that have advantages over Trados in various situations. I would also agree with most of his arguments. Translation technology advocate Uwe Muegge has frequently written strong arguments in favor of teaching translation technology courses using cheaper, simpler, web-based tools that minimize the need for troubleshooting and allow for real-time sharing. I would never say Trados is the best for every situation. Alternative technologies each have their own strengths. Yes, Trados is not the best tool for everyone. Similarly, when I have hired project managers, engineers, and translators to work for me, I have usually hired them based on their aptitude for learning technology and not for their skill with a specific brand of technology.
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For this reason, my students are required to prove that concept by learning how to use multiple tools. After learning one translation technology, people find it much easier to quickly learn another when necessary. In fact, one of the most important learning outcomes of the introductory course I teach is to “learn how to learn” such technology.
That means more than three quarters of job postings do not specifically require Trados skills.Īnd, yes, I also agree that it is most important to learn some TEnT, no matter what it is. job postings that required or desired translation technology skills, an impressive 45.8% of the jobs mentioned Trados, but only 22.8% named Trados as a minimum requirement.