Poll: Have you ever worked as a project manager?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Sep 29, 2011

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever worked as a project manager?".

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neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 21:40
Spanish to English
+ ...
Yes Sep 29, 2011

But only on a small project with 3 other translators. I generally prefer working on my own or with one or 2 colleagues max.

 
Susanna Martoni
Susanna Martoni  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 21:40
Member (2009)
Spanish to Italian
+ ...
Yes Sep 29, 2011

I have worked as a PM in the past (I founded and managed a translation agency for 10 years) and sometimes it happens to me to work as a PM right now, as a freelancer.

I like it very much, especially when I feel that my colleagues inside the team are motivated and the group can work really more efficiently.


 
Alena Hrybouskaya
Alena Hrybouskaya  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 21:40
English to Russian
+ ...
Yes Sep 29, 2011

I did, for about 5 years, but it wasn't in translation business

 
Petra Buric (X)
Petra Buric (X)  Identity Verified
Switzerland
Local time: 21:40
Slovenian to English
+ ...
yes Sep 29, 2011

Alena Hrybouskaya wrote:

I did, for about 5 years, but it wasn't in translation business


The same applies to me - not in translation. But it involved a lot of communication in English and Italian, so partly it actually was translation and interpretation


 
Thomaso
Thomaso  Identity Verified
Ireland
Local time: 20:40
French to English
+ ...
Yes, and still do Sep 29, 2011

I worked as a PM in a translation agency for a number of years and must say it was a great experience. You get to see the other side of the business and it helps you understand the pressures that PMs are under.

 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 21:40
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Yes Sep 29, 2011

I've worked as a PM (and liason officer) for 15+ years with USAF. It was fun, though at times challenging as well. Should the opportunity arise again, I wouldn't mind being a PM again.

 
Steven Capsuto
Steven Capsuto  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 15:40
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Been there, done that... Sep 29, 2011

I admire the work project managers do: a good project manager is like a juggler, keeping all sorts of objects moving through the air at the same time. I don't know how they do it without getting ulcers.

Personally, I prefer translating. Much less stressful.

[Edited at 2011-09-29 14:59 GMT]


 
Rebecca Garber
Rebecca Garber  Identity Verified
Local time: 15:40
Member (2005)
German to English
+ ...
Never done it Sep 29, 2011

PM's have all of my admiration, because they have to deal with translators AND customers, along with the personalities involved, and juggle deadlines and fees. No thank you.

The closest I have come is scheduling shifts for a non-profit. We run various games a few times per year, and shifts are based on numerous parameters, including ability, level of training, personality conflicts, outside temperatures, etc.
And ONE person skipping out or being out of contact can turn the en
... See more
PM's have all of my admiration, because they have to deal with translators AND customers, along with the personalities involved, and juggle deadlines and fees. No thank you.

The closest I have come is scheduling shifts for a non-profit. We run various games a few times per year, and shifts are based on numerous parameters, including ability, level of training, personality conflicts, outside temperatures, etc.
And ONE person skipping out or being out of contact can turn the entire thing into a complete mess. Doing this 3-4 times a year is stressful enough. Doing this for my job?!? no way.

Good PM's are awesome.
Collapse


 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 12:40
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Sep 29, 2011

I was head of Translation Services in the organization where I worked. Many of the duties were similar.

I'm glad I don't have to do that any more. I'm very uncomfortable taking responsibility for other people's work.

[Edited at 2011-09-29 23:01 GMT]


 
Power Translate
Power Translate  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 21:40
English to German
+ ...
Totally agree Sep 30, 2011

Steven Capsuto wrote:

I admire the work project managers do: a good project manager is like a juggler, keeping all sorts of objects moving through the air at the same time. I don't know how they do it without getting ulcers.

Personally, I prefer translating. Much less stressful.

[Edited at 2011-09-29 14:59 GMT]


I worked as a PM between 2005 and 2009 for two different companies in the industry, one small, one large. I am glad I don't have to do that anymore. I admire people who work as PMs for many decades because I would just get burn outs.


 
Caro Maucher
Caro Maucher  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 21:40
Member (2005)
English to German
+ ...
No way. Sep 30, 2011

I agree totally with Muriel:


I'm very uncomfortable taking responsibility for other people's work.


 


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Poll: Have you ever worked as a project manager?






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