After I got my university degree and became a translator in 2002, I started working in an entirely different sector as I was offered a job a couple of months before graduating. I had worked for this company before and liked the people and the managing position they offered, so I took the opportunity to learn as much as I could in the commercial sector. Our company makes paper measuring instruments - very technical and high-quality instruments - and I learned a lot during my time there. 
In the beginning, I translated many manuals from English to Dutch, but after a few years, the number of new instruments being developed went down and so did the translation work. So, I decided to start my own business in 2013. Since I was still working part-time at the time and I had two small children, I could only translate in the evenings and weekends, which I did. After three years, I decided to take a break from translating though since I found it hard to find a good balance between my work as an Office Manager, translator, mom and wife. 

Now I have finally made the step to commit myself to translating 100%. I am looking to get as much experience and work as possible, even if it is for free for a good cause. At this stage in my career, it is more important to me to get  experience than it is to make a lot of money.