Meet Yeqing

Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you've done since graduating

I studied MA Translating and Interpreting at Newcastle University and graduated in 2021.
After graduating, I made a career shift into accounting. I worked as a Financial Reporting Advisory Trainee at a mid-sized firm for nearly three years.

Now, I'm about to start a new role in Audit & Accounts at another firm. I’m also currently studying towards my ACCA qualification to further develop my career in the profession. 

Find out more about my course, Translating & Interpreting MA

Why did you choose to study at Newcastle University?

The Chinese-English Translating and Interpreting programme at Newcastle is known as one of the best in the UK, which is a big part of why I applied. I was drawn to the high-quality teaching, practical course content and professional training environment, especially the interpreting suites with industry-standard equipment.

Even though I ended up taking a different career path, the programme really sharpened my language skills and built up a strong foundation in communication and organisation, which I’ve found useful. 

How do you think your course prepared you for your chosen career? 

Studying and living in the UK for two years helped me get used to the local culture and boosted my communication and collaboration skills.

Planning mock conferences gave me the chance to work on organisation and leadership, while the constant need to research unfamiliar topics trained me to learn quickly and stay curious. An inquisitive mind is one of the most valuable traits of a translator – something that has proved just as useful in my current work. 

What did you enjoy most about your time at Newcastle University? 

One of the things I appreciated most was how supportive the teaching staff were. Each lecturer had their own approach, but they were all open, knowledgeable and happy to help. I especially remember Dariush, who was also my Personal Tutor. He always gave thoughtful and detailed feedback and really cared about both our academic progress and well being.

It meant a lot that Dariush and others reached out regularly to check in on us during Covid. They even sent TV series recommendations to keep our spirits up during lockdown!

I also loved Newcastle as a city. The campus is right in the centre and Newcastle has such a nice balance of being lively but still very easy to live in. I’ve really missed it since graduating and have already been back for a visit. 

Describe your time at Newcastle in three words 

Warm, challenging, unforgettable.