What are the best ways to prepare for a career in medical translation?

When I planned to start my specialization in pharmaceutical translation, I checked many video resources that explain pharmacology in order to know more about key pharmaceutical terminology and what they mean, such as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Also, I checked authentic bilingual websites that address the medical community, such as Mayo Clinic, WHO, and more. By means of terminology extraction tools and web scraping, I also managed to turn many resourceful websites into ready-to-use translation memories and termbases in the medical industry.

Go study medicine! terminology courses are simply not enough, not even close. You must understand the science and clinical context of specific situations at hand. You don't need to go get a degree but at least extensibly study it on your own.

You definitely have to dive deep and fully immerse in the medical terminology in order to work in this field! Just like students learn about medicine, specific terms and mostly how the human body (which is incredibly complex and astounding) works in synergy, we must have a good understanding and do our proper research. It is a good idea to start specializing in one area then move on to others. I had zero idea about leg surgery and all the parts involved, so I made it my responsibility to study and learn all possible in order to be more clear and knowledgeable when it came time to translate terms in other languages. Truly mind-blowing!

Get some direct experience. Become ill. Get some direct experience. Become ill. Get some direct experience. Become ill. Get some direct experience. Become ill. Get some direct experience. Become ill.

Quite true. You must master the language of departure and adapt it and use proper and accurate terms in the target language. Reading, learning, visualizing and staying up to date is a must. There is so much information at our fingertips and helps us become a better prepared professional at the end of the day.

What draws most your attention? What area or specialty? As a regular visitor to the hospital with family members, I have become quite familiar with some areas and have been learning on my own thanks to the many freely available resources online and watched several webinars, youtube educational videos among some. Learning never stops! I will help translations and interpretation in the future :)

To prepare for a career in medical translation, focusing on language proficiency, particularly in medical terminology, through formal education or specialized courses is strongly recommend. Obtaining relevant certifications and building a professional network can provide valuable opportunities. Continuous learning and staying updated on medical advancements are essential. Practical experience through internships or volunteer work is invaluable for building a portfolio. In summary, language skills, training, networking, ongoing education, and hands-on experience are crucial for a successful career in medical translation.