Samantha Ayles

Flat 150 (2F), High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QS

e:

t: 07595 926 819

Language Pairs: German > English, Italian > English

PROFILE

I am an incredibly hard working individual, who continually strives to produce work of the highest standard. To date, I have gained a great variety of experience in the field of translation, working on academic, business and consumer translations. Teamed with working as a freelance copywriter and my roles in communications, I am extremely confident in my ability to translate effectively for any audience, working to deadlines and without compromising on quality.

QUALIFICATIONS

2009 – 2010 University of Edinburgh

MSc Translation Studies

  • Distinction
  • Masters Dissertation: “A Picture Says a Thousand Words: An English Subtitling Translation of Aspettando il sole”

2003 – 2008 University of St Andrews

MA German and Italian (With integrated year in Milan, Italy)

  • Graduated in 2008 with a 2:1 honours
  • Honours Dissertation: “Morality and Legality in Andrea Camilleri’s Montalbano series”

2001 – 2003 Winstanley College

A-Levels: English Language (A), German (A), Government & Politics (A)

AS-Levels: English Language (A), German (A), Government & Politics (A), History (A)

1996 – 2001 Abraham Guest High School

GCSEs: Art (A*), English Literature (A), English Language (A), Food Technology (A*), German (A), History (A), Maths (A), Religious Education (A*), Science Double Award (A*/A*)

TRANSLATION EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

August 2011 – Present, Cadenza Academic Translations

Freelance Italian Translator

  • Academic translations, including articles, essays and journal publications

March 2011 – Present, Lingo 24

Freelance Copywriter

  • Ghost-writing articles for online publication, covering topics on travel, SEO and technology, amongst others
  • Editor of their US blog

January 2011 – Present, Wolfestone Translations

Freelance German & Italian Translator

  • Working on ad-hoc translations of articles, brochures and certificates, amongst others

December 2010 – Present, SDL

Freelance German & Italian Translator

  • Freelance translation of articles, excel documents and consumer brochures

October 2009 – Present, Active Languages Ltd

Freelance German & Italian Translator

  • Principally providing email translation for a bathroom specialist
  • Other ad-hoc translations, including contracts and documents

PUBLIC RELATIONS (PR) EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

June 2011 – Present, People’s Postcode Lottery

Senior Communications Officer

•Management of the Lottery’s events and PR activity; delivering successful Scottish and UK wide coverage of the Lottery, as well as the affiliated charities and good causes supported by the Lottery’s Trust

•Key-role in managing the Vote That Counts – an online voting competition allowing the public to choose one Scottish charity to receive £50,000

•Management of PR activity surrounding the Dream Fund, engaging charities and community groups in Scotland to apply for £300,000 funding to bring an innovative idea to life

•Copywriter for the Lottery’s marketing materials

January 2010 – May 2011, Euro RSCG

Account Executive

  • Day-to-day contact for numerous high-profile clients: Asda, Debenhams, High & Mighty, Pets at Home
  • Delivering effective consumer PR campaigns, projects and press office
  • Writing and issuing press releases, compiling relevant media lists, media monitoring, tracking and evaluation
  • Proactive and reactive media relations, securing coverage in national, regional, local, broadcast and online media
  • Management of events, media visits, new store launches and photo-calls
  • Leading role in New Business pitch creatives

August 2008 – September 2009, Burson Marsteller

Junior/Account Executive

  • Day-to-day contact for high-profile clients: Focus DIY, Lancaster University Management School (LUMS), NHS North West and Herman Miller
  • Actioned various PR campaigns, projects and press office, covering business, health and consumer
  • Told a leading role in the PR activity surrounding Herman Miller products, selling in press releases to Italian and German media
  • Proactive and reactive media relations, securing Focus DIY product placement coverage in national, regional, and consumer media; also oversaw and secured competitions and advertorials
  • Organised and managed budgets for London-based media visits to promote Focus DIY product launches
  • Leading role in NHS North West ‘Workshop’ Event held at the Midland Hotel in Manchester
  • Produced and pitched the LUMS creative and won a 2 year contract

September 2005 - June 2006, Liceo Classicao Statale “G. Parini” (Milano)

Mother Tongue English Teacher

  • As part of my University integrated year abroad, I taught at a state secondary school, as well as a primary school, in Milan
  • Prepared and delivered classes in line with each school’s curriculum
  • Additionally taught student preparation lessons for the British Council Cambridge English Language exams
  • Taught private English lessons in my spare time; during my year, I had six regular students

SKILLS, INTERESTS & ACTIVITIES

Music–Since a young age, I have always had a passion for playing music and have achieved Grade 6 piano and Grade 1 theory (London College of Music, certificate board)

Languages–As well as a degree level in German and Italian, I have studied British Sign Language and hope to begin an evening course in French next year. Whilst at the University of St Andrews, I was President (2007-2008) and Press & Communications Officer (2006-2007) for the Italian Society

Sport– I enjoy playing sport and keeping fit. I am a keen badminton player, runner and walker. I completed the Edinburgh Half Marathon (2010), the Edinburgh Moonwalk (raising money for Breast Cancer Research) and have achieved advanced level certificates in swimming. I am currently training for the Great North Run in September 2012

I am competent using all Microsoft software (including PowerPoint, Office, Office Outlook, etc), Trados and Wordfast translation programmes,and Lotus Notes. I also have good experience working with Apple packages, having an Apple Mac for personal use. I have a full, clean driving licence.

REFEREES

Translation and PR references can be supplied on request