Freelancing eagles: interpretation as a transient career strategy for skilled migrants

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the role that transient interpretation jobs play in the career development of skilled migrants. Design/methodology/approach – Based on interviews and correspondence with ethnic Albanian interpreters in the USA and Britain, this study analyzes the bonding and bridging effects of transient careers. Respondents include a diverse group of freelancers, as well as volunteer and professional interpreters and the interpretation experiences of the dozen Albanian skilled migrants are analyzed through a grounded theory approach. Findings – Interpretation jobs enable highly‐skilled immigrants to initially sustain themselves abroad while adjusting to the host country. Interpretation is one area where skilled women can find a professional voice. Yet, the social capital value of interpretation exceeds its economic benefits. Migrant interpreters acquire human capital and social and cultural networks through their jobs and pass this “know‐how” to their communities through their volunteer work. Research limitations/implications – Further research beyond the limited ethnic scope of the study is necessary to assess the links between migration and translation activism. Practical implications – As an initial career choice for migrants, interpretation jobs remain typically transient, ad hoc and low‐wage, and the important functions they provide in economic, social and cultural capital, and their role in enabling migrants to get skilled through their migration remain unrecognized in studies of career development. Social implications – Talented young immigrants in a transient career also get skilled through their migration process. Originality/value – Young Albanian interpreters, invisible as immigrants and refugees, are indicative of the potential talent hidden in many such transient careers. The social, economic and cultural gains from interpretation indicate the need to view transient careers as more than short‐term strategies to make a living.