Steven Iverson
French, May 1983
President, Iverson Language Associates
Contact Steven Iverson at
steve@iversonlang.com
Since your graduation from MU, what has been your career path?
My original goal was to get my BA, then go to Law School. When I got a teaching Assistantship to do my masters, I decided to take that route. Initially, I taught French, but then found a way to combine teaching languages with a side business, which has now developed into a full time job for me and 15 other employees.
Describe your typical workday.
While most of my time is spent managing our office and overseeing sales and marketing efforts, I do have an opportunity to use my French by editing some translations, and communicating with clients in France.
What is the best or most exciting part of your profession?
The ability to make a good living by using foreign languages, something I've had an interest in. We have an opportunity to help people communicate in a variety of industries.
What advice would you provide for a job seeker in your field?
I would recommend that someone who wants to become a professional translator or interpreter (something that I do not have the training to do) to pursue an advanced degree in these areas. There is a huge demand for people in these fields, and the pay is quite good. You also have an opportunity to help others in areas like health care and social services.
What are essential skills one must possess for success in your field?
In addition to having near-native fluency in a foreign language, the ability to write well is key, as well as some expertise in a technical field (e.g., dentistry, medicine, engineering, business, journalism, etc.).
What can a current Marquette student do to effectively prepare for a career in your field?
Enhance language skills, work on writing skills, and become familiar with current events (especially in a country that speaks the second language).
How does one find a summer job or internship in your field, and are there any other opportunities to gain experience before graduation?
Internships are often offered by companies like mine around the country, as well as at the UN, EU, etc.
