Title of job
Subtitler, BBC

Languages studied for A level
French

Languages studied at university
French, Spanish and Catalan.

University
Cardiff

Best thing about the course
The year abroad! Getting to meet so many people of different nationalities and cultures. I also particularly enjoyed the literature courses.

Where did you spend your year out?
In Nantes, France and Veracruz, Mexico.

Do you think that the fact that you studied languages helped you to obtain this post? Definitely - most of the subtitlers here are language graduates. A languages degree gives you the right sort of skills for a job like this - editing, use of language, and speaking and listening at the same time!

Could you tell us more about the nature of the job outlining main tasks and responsibilities?
I provide live subtitles for BBC sports and news. The subtitles are produced by listening to the commentary and repeating it, editing it down and adding punctuation as I do so. This is then sent out as live subtitles, using a voice -recognition system. There is only a three second delay between speaking it and the subtitles going out live, so it is a job where you have to think on your feet and remain calm at all times.

Do you use your languages frequently? If so, in which situations?
Not my actual languages, but the skills needed to speak languages - especially listening and speaking at the same time.

What other jobs have you done since leaving university?
When I graduated I worked in Chile as a teacher for a year, which was great. Then I moved to London and worked for a South American travel compamy. This involved using my Spanish to sell holidays to the customers and liaise with ground agents overseas. I then became a copy-writer for a cruise line, before moving to my current job.

What is the best thing about learning another language in your opinion?
The fact that it affords you so many more opportunities than other degrees. Thanks to my languages, I have lived in Spain, Mexico and Chile and travelled extensively too. I've had the chance to meet good friends of all cultures and nationalities and converse with them in their own language. None of this would have been possible without having learnt a language at university.

What would you say to those who are reluctant to carry on with their languages?
I would recommend a degree in languages to anyone. Not only is it really enjoyable, but it gives you so many more opportunities for personal growth and development which other subjects may not. It is worth doing for the year alone, which is a fantastic experience!