ROAR

Join us as we talk to Rainbow Liao, a Localization Project Manager at Zoetis, about her path from studying at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) to managing complex linguistic assets in the animal healthcare industry. In this episode, Rainbow shares how her MIIS coursework, professional experiences, and personal growth helped prepare her for her role, and what it’s like to ap...

AI is everywhere, but is it really replacing localization jobs? In this episode, Jon Ritzdorf breaks down the reality behind the hype. From AI-driven workflows to career survival strategies, we explore what’s actually changing in localization—and what isn’t. We also get real about job hunting, industry expectations, and why your first job might matter less than you think. Whether you’re a student,...

In this episode of the ROAR Podcast, host Victoria Shimkus sits down with Grace Kim, a recent graduate of the Middlebury Institute (MIIS) and a current Localization Project Manager at TransPerfect. Grace shares her unique journey of transitioning from the Translation and Interpretation (T&I) track to Localization Management, explaining why she traded the high-pressure "performance" o...

In this episode of the ROAR Podcast, host Victoria Shimkus sits down with Aaron Long, a Localization Production Artist at Blueprint, to explore his unconventional path into the localization industry. From researching chestnut tree genetics to teaching English in Japan, Aaron’s journey is anything but typical. He shares how he pivoted from majoring in Biology and German to joining the Translation a...

In this episode, we sit down with Ella Barton, a second-year MIIS student and the Chapter Manager of Women in Localization at MIIS. From studying at UT Austin to stepping into the world of translation and localization, Ella has followed opportunities with openness and courage. She shares the soft skills she believes truly shape effective leadership: empathy, communication, and the ability to build...

Join us as we talk to Zilong Yi, a Linguistics Compliance Intern at Light & Wonder, about his path from studying at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) to stepping into the game localization and compliance industry. In this episode, Zilong shares how his MIIS coursework, professional experiences, and personal growth helped prepare him for his role, and what it’s like to ap...

In this episode, Rachael hosts a conversation with Minting and Jianjing about how volunteering can shape one’s localization career path and personal values. Through sharing their own experiences, they explore how TLM students can seek out volunteer opportunities while in school, what motivates them to get involved, and how these experiences can benefit their personal and professional growth. Resou...

The localization industry is super interesting, but it also comes with intensive schedules and pressure. In that context, prioritizing mental health is highly important for providing us with the energy to not only deal with the challenges in work but also care for our loved ones and ourselves.    In this episode, we invited Laura DeCook, founder of LDC Wellbeing, which offers engaging and interact...

Join us in this episode to learn what these 5 Japanese localizers do and how they make it to where they are today.

Join us for an insightful interview with Vanesa, a seasoned professional in the field of localization. From her journey into the language services industry to her current role as Localization Quality Manager at Acclaro, Vanesa shares her experiences, challenges, and the unique dynamics of her position. Discover the intricacies of quality management, the essential skills required, and the impact of...

In this episode, Nina Hampton sits down with Rebecca Guttentag, a localization producer at Riot Games, talks about her journey into games localization, workflows and processes associated with producing and localizing a AAA game, the structure of Riot's localization team, what makes it good localization producer, and why you shouldn't be afraid to admit that you don't know something. Li...

One of many things that soon-to-be graduates worry about is how to apply the skills and knowledge obtained in the classroom to the real world. Entry level positions are no longer truly "entry level"- future graduates will need to go in with ideas at the ready. So how can future graduates implement things, such as localizability checks and content briefs, that were learned in classes and inject the...

When entering the Localization Industry, one is often asked, "Do you want to work on the client side or vendor side?" More often than not, the response is usually client side. Deciding whether to aim for the client side or vendor side can be a big decision. We sat down with Winnie Heh, Career Advisor at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey focused in helping students in the La...

Now that we are in the third year of the covid-19 pandemic, remote working becomes the new norm for many people all over the world. How does the localization industry incorporate this shift? What are some benefits and difficulties managing a localization team in remote? Join us with Raffaella Buschiazzo, who is a localization director at Salesforce and learn how she and her team manage the transit...

Our passions can lead us anywhere we let them take us. Join us in this episode of ROAR as the co-founder of a computer-assisted translation software Termsoup Joanne Chou takes us through her journey from a translator to an entrepreneur. She will share how her experience as a translator and a UI/UX designer helped her during this transition and how staying in touch with the community can drive the...

Welcome back to ROAR: Deep Dive—a podcast produced by the Middlebury Institute’s Translation and Localization Management Program, bringing together global voices from the Localization industry. In this episode, we have the great privilege of hearing from Aki Ito, CEO of Localization Guy LLC and rock musician, for a very special conversation about career and personal development. With thought provo...

Have you thought about exploring more career opportunities in the localization industry? Ann Chen, the business development manager at BLEND—a language service provider, is responsible for maintaining a positive relationship with clients and actively seeking out potential new clients. Throughout her journey in the localization industry, she has taken on many roles including freelancer, project man...

Welcome back to ROAR: Speed Bumps—a podcast produced by the Middlebury Institute's Translation and Localization Management Program, bringing together global voices from the Localization industry. In this episode, we had the pleasure of talking with Sachi Salehi, a recent graduate of MIIS and a new translator at SEGA. Sachi shares with us her journey through MIIS to her position, what her education...

In this episode, we have the pleasure to interview Katherine Huang, an International Strategist and Change Leader with over 20 years of experience in planning and executing global and local initiatives and programs. She has led a successful career at Adobe, acting as the chief strategist and champion of the Chinese market for Adobe Creative Cloud, and developed a team that grew international reven...

For this episode of ROAR: Deep Dives, we talk to Ryan Holmberg, a comic historian and translator of alternative manga, best known for his work on the alternative manga magazine Garo . Ryan talks to us about how he found himself in this industry and how he'd like to see things change as interest in manga grows. If you'd like to see more from Ryan, be sure to follow him on Instagram at @mangaberg.

Have you ever wonder what it is like to manage different unique languages in which you have yet to develop full proficiency? David Mohr, an international quality engineer at Adobe, is responsible for supporting 26 languages and dealing with internationalization-related issues in adobe products. In this episode, David shared a myriad of linguistic and cultural challenges he has encountered in his w...

In this episode, we explore the responsibilities and challenges of a product manager with Thomas Hung who is a project management lead at West cost operation. Production Management is a multifaceted role that requires a person to develop multiple core competencies. If you are curious about the responsibilities of the production manager, and what does it take to manage multiple operations and chall...

Freelance translation and interpretation is no walk in the park. Not every project is straight-forward and not all project managers are created equal. Listen in as Salim Martell (May 2020 graduate of the Translation and Localization Management Program at MIIS) and Chiyo Mori (Japanese Interpretation professor at MIIS and freelancer) while they discuss the unique challenges freelancers face when co...

How can you balance your social life and employment while functioning in the Localization industry? Listen in as Vanessa Prolow and Lina Yan Ning (both 2020 graduates from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies) discuss balance with Kayla Muñoz, a localization manager at Desmos, a math software developer.

In this podcast, Sherine Emara, Nadya Rodionova, Kimberly Zie interviewed MIIS alumna, Alicia Dominick, who is a Linguist and Project Manager at SoundHound. They discuss Alicia’s path from linguist to project manager and she gives tips on how to be a versatile, team player. Technological skills are crucial in the localization industry, and sometimes serve as a speedbump for professionals without a...