The Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies (LINCS) welcomed EU staff Interpreter Joanne O’Donnell for a two-day visit on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th September, as part of a long-standing cooperation with the EU Commission’s Conference Interpreting Organisation and Training Department, known as DGI SCIC. 

Joanne, a LINCS alumna herself, attended a number of MSc and MA interpreting classes, working hand-in-hand with staff to deliver focused and practical feedback to students.  

Our guest also ran a masterclass on the highly specialised techniques used by interpreters when taking notes for consecutive interpreting, and held a further session open to all LINCS Interpreting students on the importance of knowledge of politics and current affairs, a core skill for this profession and for any expert linguist-to-be.  

Welcoming one of our LINCS alumni who has succeeded in joining the highly skilled fleet of EU interpreters has been very inspiring and motivating for our students. The EU Commission remains one of the most prestigious employers in the world for conference interpreters. The need for qualified English native-speakers is even more pressing after Brexit, and the EU offers excellent career opportunities for expert interpreters such as LINCS graduates, who are also trained with the latest equipment and technologies.

Recent graduates like Gavin Darroch, Alice Rollin and Camille Penman have seized such opportunities, and secured roles as interpreters and trainers for European Institutions such as the Commission and the EU Parliament.  

This visit sets off the range of career-focused events and opportunities offered to LINCS students and graduates, in line with Heriot-Watt’s ethos of collaboration with industry .  Such events include Alternative Careers for Linguists,  SWATI … and our flagship event, the annual Multilingual Debate. Watch this space!