Scott Reynolds <sar@gol.com> wrote in message news:<bed67j$45e$1@newsflood.tokyo.att.ne.jp>...
> On 7/8/2003 9:04 AM, jf wrote:
> 
> > I originally wanted to do translation/interpretation, but I see that more
> > often than not, the qualification of speaking Japanese is not enough.
> > Companies and customers want translations/interpreters in specified fields
> > i.e. IT,OEMS, automotive engineering , etc.  I'm just wondering if I come
> > back from Japan with a "fluent" ability, will it be impossible to get a job
> > or to preform translation work without specializing in a specific field?  I
> > have B.A. in English which I know probably means nothing in the context of
> > this email.
> 
> This page is as good a place as any to start in your search for info:
> 
> http://dehoog.org/html/translation.htm
> 
> The short answer to your question is that you do not have to be a 
> specialist in a technical field to get started as a translator, though 
> having specialized knowledge certainly does not hurt.

Why not use the free time you are GOING to have on the JET programme
to do a post-graduate course in a technical subject?

Mukade