Every translator's journey begins with curiosity—the drive to learn, grow, and connect. Translators are explorers of meaning, bridging gaps between cultures and ideas. They turn words into understanding and create connections where none existed before. Driven by a love of language and a passion for discovery, they constantly seek new ways to expand their skills and make an impact on the world.
At ProZ , this is where curiosity meets opportunity. Whether a translator is exploring new tools, building their business, or connecting with like-minded professionals, ProZ is their partner in discovery.
There are several steps along the way where you can pause, recharge, and equip yourself and your business with valuable tools and opportunities.
Step #1: Networking and collaboration
The commitment to innovation and collaboration was exemplified in a seven-day hackathon in Kenya, where ProZ staff members from offices around the world came together to focus their collective expertise.
Their goal? To generate and refine groundbreaking ideas for improving the ProZ platform. This intensive effort combined diverse perspectives and a shared passion for enhancing the tools and opportunities available to language professionals.
At this transformative hackathon in Kenya, the ProZ team charted ambitious directions for feature developments, setting a visionary course that will shape the platform's evolution for years to come.
This trip to Kenya not only served as the backdrop for the hackathon but also set the stage for an extraordinary gathering of the ProZ community. Alongside the hackathon, the largest Powwow in recent years was organized, breaking records and creating lasting connections. This remarkable event brought together 117 site users—an unprecedented turnout that underscored the strong bonds within the global ProZ community.
As one of 43 Powwows held this year, it stood out as a testament to the power of collaboration and networking, offering attendees the opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas, and strengthen their professional networks in an unforgettable setting.
If you are tired of looking at your computer screen all day and want to get out and be social, and network with colleagues in your area, powwows are a good option. If you are a site member, you can propose a powwow. Site staff will help you to promote it so that local translators and interpreters can find out about your event. You can talk about business or simply network and enjoy your time away from the desk in good company.
These and all other events have left their mark—in our shared history and hearts. Take a moment to watch this video, filled with memories and photos from past ProZ events, and let it inspire you to create new ones!
Step #2: Training and certification
Like translators, we passionately explore opportunities to introduce new features that truly empower language professionals. More than 50 new trainings have been hosted in 2024, addressing the topics that matter most to translators, interpreters, post-editors, localizers, and project managers. These trainings have explored the challenges of specialized fields like medical and legal translation, the complexities of remote interpreting, and the importance of mental well-being for professionals. From advancing skills with cutting-edge tools to overcoming self-doubt and building resilience, the training sessions are tailored to support language professionals in every aspect of their journey.
Plus and Premium membership subscribers enjoy unlimited free access to a wide variety of resources, including workshop videos, live presentations, and networking events. This ensures they have full access to valuable learning and networking opportunities.
Moreover! If you want to go further, learning about new technologies, ProZ has a new feature for you. We launched the AI Hub, a dedicated space designed specifically for professional members to keep informed about the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and its impact on the language industry. This hub serves as a central resource, offering insights, articles, webinars, and discussions on the evolving role of AI in translation, localization, and interpreting.
Plus and Premium members can also benefit from the new CPD tracking system, allowing them to report and track their continuing professional development (CPD) activity directly through their ProZ account. This feature offers the option to keep a personal record or use it to showcase your skills to potential clients and collaborators. Additionally, paying members can add certificates of completion and request verification of CPD items from ProZ staff.
I’d like to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation to all content creators as their dedication, creativity, and expertise make an invaluable contribution:
Jennifer Nielsen, Bridget G. Hylak, Molly Yurick, Tess Whitty, Rachel Pierce, Robert Gebhardt, Robert Holloway, Corinne McKay, Joachim Lépine, Jasmina Djordjevic, Aneli Jovanovic, Joseph Lambert, Martín Chamorro, Susan Ring, Jorge Díaz Cintas, Carolin Menéndez, Nora Diaz, Claudia Brauer.
And from our own ranks: Tanya Quintieri, Lucia Leszinsky, Andrea Capuselli, María Florencia Vita, Helen Shepelenko, Hayjor Roca, Angela Luana Zalazar Aguirre, Gabriela Iacoboni, Tatiana Zapara, Igor Kmitowski, Saint Enrique Machiste.
Step #3: Virtual networking and events
If traveling isn’t an option and you’ve been missing the connections that come with it, ProZ networking events are the perfect opportunity to engage, share, and build relationships with professionals from around the world—all from the comfort of your own space. Within a year, site users had the opportunity to participate in dozens of online networking events, where they could listen to industry experts, share their insights and doubts, and, most importantly, build connections with colleagues.
By fostering these connections, users could strengthen their presence in the industry, stay updated on trends, and tap into a community of specialists with shared goals and expertise. All this could happen in an environment that allows for real communication, fostering a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that mirrors in-person interactions.
Other virtual events that fostered knowledge development, networking, and more included the ProZ Virtual Conference for Remote Interpreters, International Translation Day, diverse Pastey Clinics and Language Talks, ProZ AI Expo, and more. Beyond technical insights, these events also focused on personal connections and building lasting relationships, recognizing that true professional growth is driven by collaboration and shared experiences.
There are even more steps to take on your journey to empowerment at ProZ. With tools like Pastey and CafeTran, the Blue Board for reviewing and selecting service providers, and the invoicing system alongside ProZ*Pay for seamless transactions, there are countless ways to enhance your business operations. These tools, and many more, are available to help you work smarter, streamline your processes, and grow your business. Explore all these resources and discover how ProZ can continue to support you every step of the way.
Discover the future of the website in an exclusive interview with Henry Dotterer, founder and head of ProZ, where he reflects on the 25th-anniversary celebration and shares insights into ProZ's journey as a global hub for language experts.
Want to find the relevant pages to these steps?
Here’s a list of pages you might find worth exploring to take meaningful steps in advancing your career:
- ProZ Training
- Video library
- Meetups (networking events)
- TV events (virtual conferences)
- Powwows (in-person get-togethers)
- ProZ AI Hub
- Pastey (smart translation companion)
- CPN Network
