On 17 November, a guest lecture was held for students of the B11 (035) Philology programme, delivered by translator Heather Stacey from Edinburgh (United Kingdom). The lecture was titled “Be Ready for Anything.” The speaker is an experienced specialist in both interpreting and translation and a member of the United Kingdom’s Association of Translators.
During the lecture, Heather shared her professional experience from the beginning of her career to the present day, describing the stages of her development and the challenges translators face in today’s globalised world. She highlighted the importance of lifelong learning, improving qualifications, and constantly developing skills in related fields such as editing, communication, mediation, and working with digital tools.
The speaker also paid special attention to flexibility and adaptability, as these qualities are essential for professionals who work in conditions of rapid change, new communication formats, and rising client expectations. She stressed that translators need to react quickly to unexpected situations, adjust their approach to work, and stay open to new knowledge.
Heather Stacey also gave students practical advice on building effective communication with potential clients and creating a professional portfolio. The students learned which skills and personal qualities employers value most today and how to develop their own professional confidence.
An important part of the lecture was a virtual introduction to the culture and nature of Scotland, as well as learning new idioms. The lecture took place in an atmosphere of open dialogue and attracted great interest from the students, who had the opportunity to ask questions and receive professional recommendations from a practising translator. The event became a useful and motivating experience for future philologists and helped broaden their understanding of the modern translation market and the expectations placed on specialists.