<p><span class="p-body">As one of NYU SPS's fully online Master's degrees, the MS in Translation and Interpreting program offers students the convenience and flexibility of learning at their own pace from wherever they are in the world while benefiting from a rigorous curriculum. We recently spoke with Talia Rucker, a student in the program, who told us about her experience so far and her hopes for the future of her career in the translation and interpreting field.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Rucker's venture into the world of translation began with a dream to merge her love for languages with her passion for the arts. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rucker moved from Sacramento, California about a year ago and has since embraced the natural beauty and outdoor activities that her new home offers. From kayaking and biking to learning how to create neon and glass art, she is always eager to try new things and explore uncharted territories.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">With a background characterized by curiosity and creativity, Talia was drawn to NYU's&nbsp;<a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-translation.html" title="MS in Translation and Interpreting program">MS in Translation and Interpreting program</a>&nbsp;because it offered her the flexibility to continue working full-time while pursuing her studies. &quot;I needed a program that was flexible and allowed me to create my own schedule,&quot; she explains. The online nature of the program and the availability of electives that explore how translation can be applied across different industries made NYU an ideal choice.</span></p>

<p>Rucker entered the program with limited knowledge of the translation industry but found the courses at NYU incredibly insightful and practical.</p>

<p>This real-world focus was especially important to Rucker, who appreciates learning by doing. Through hands-on simulations and exercises that reflect industry best practices, she gained confidence in her abilities to produce high-quality translations and deliverables that meet client expectations.</p> <p>One course that particularly stood out for Rucker was <i>Editing for Translators</i>. This class refined her technical skills and enhanced her overall translation, editing, and revision processes. She appreciated how the professors tailored assignments to suit her language pair, adding that &quot;professors make an effort to get to know your interests and ensure that exercises apply to your specific needs.&quot; For Talia, this personalized approach to learning has been invaluable in her academic and professional growth.</p> <p>Rucker's journey at NYU SPS has also been shaped by her connection with her mentor, Instructor Roxana Dinu. &quot;I'm really grateful to have established a connection with Professor Dinu,&quot; Rucker says. &quot;Her Special Topics course on translating gender neutrality into romance languages shone a light on a side of translation I knew posed a challenge in the Francophone community.&quot; This course and her subsequent discussions with Professor Dinu on gender neutrality and language inclusivity have inspired Rucker to pursue further research in this area for her thesis. The relationship she has built with her mentor has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her experience at NYU.</p>

<p>NYU SPS has provided Rucker with more than just technical knowledge—it has also equipped her with the tools to build a robust professional network. Through her coursework and the guidance of her professors, she has gained insights into the tight-knit translation community and learned the importance of professional organizations like the American Translators Association (ATA) and the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA). &quot;Professors provide detailed information on how to build your toolkit and outline resources to get involved in the industry as a new translator,&quot; she notes.</p> <p>Looking ahead, Rucker is excited about the diverse opportunities that await her after graduation. She is particularly interested in video game localization, transcreation, and audiovisual translation—fields that allow her to merge her love for the arts with her translation skills. She is also keen on leveraging her experience working with state and government entities to dive into legal translation projects.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span class="p-body">For incoming NYU SPS students, Rucker offers this piece of advice: &quot;Dedicating a little extra time toward making connections with your peers and professors is key!&quot; Despite being more introverted, she has made a concerted effort to reach out and establish meaningful connections, both in class and beyond. &quot;I've made good friends with classmates up to this point,&quot; she says, underscoring the value of building a supportive community within the program.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">As&nbsp;Rucker continues her academic career and prepares to step further into the professional world of translation, she is honing her skills and discovering new dimensions of her chosen field. Join students from around the world who are shaping the future of translation when you pursue an&nbsp;<a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-translation.html" title="MS in Translation and Interpreting ">MS in Translation and Interpreting</a>&nbsp;at NYU SPS.</span></p>