Apart from offering multi-dimensional scope for English language development, this vocation enables professionals to keep abreast with their specialisations

Following liberalisation and deregulation of the Indian economy in 1991 and its gradual integration with the global marketplace, previously unknown job opportunities have emerged as promising career paths. One such is English academic and language editing, which is attracting a diverse range of professionals including physicians, dentists, physiotherapists, engineers et al with an academic bent and good command of English.

Academic and language editing involves dressing up, clarifying and editing dissertations, theses, product and service promotion literature as well as essays submitted for publication in trade and professional journals. Apart from providing multi-dimensional scope for English language development, this vocation enables professionals to keep abreast with their specialisations and address the need to connect, express and   learn continuously.

With growing global demand for full or part-time editing services, this career choice offers great potential for growth in what’s widely seen as a recession-proof industry. The global language translation and editing industry, classified as language service providers (LSPs), is a niche, but rapidly growing vocation in India. It mainly spans STM (scientific, technical, medical) editing and translation. STM editing includes substantive as well as copy editing. Global revenue earned by LSPs was an estimated $26.33 billion (Rs.165,707 crore) in 2010, according to Massachusetts-based research and consultancy firm, Common Sense Advisory, with Japan’s share of the pie being the largest. Although new in India, STM editing is a thriving global industry.

Anyone from a liberal arts, to a medical or engineering background with a desire for perfection, flair for English and willingness to learn continuously, can succeed in this sunrise industry. Strong subject knowledge and English language skills are the prime requisites of employers. Indeed, an individual with a Masters or bachelors degree in any discipline can excel in this vocation if she has a professional specialisation and is fluent in the English language.

With language and academic editing emerging as the next big thing after outsourcing, employment opportunities in this sector are multiplying. LSPs are required for medical writing, consulting, product manuals, and content development in businesses ranging from print to digital media. A rising global leader in providing academic and scientific language solutions to researchers, individuals and corporates worldwide, the Mumbai-based Crimson Interactive Pvt. Ltd is recording close to 100 percent year-on-year growth. This fast-track LSP company operates under three brands — Enago (English editing), Ulatus (translation) and Voxtab (transcription).

The starting point in an LSP company is usually as a trainee editor, and progressing to research editor within six-eight months. A year or 18 months later, if required skillsets are developed, the next step up is to the position of senior editor. Further skills development and production of high quality work usually results in the designation of editing expert. Remuneration packages are attractive — a Crimson trainee is inducted at Rs.1.8-4 lakh per annum — with annual increments ranging between 20-30 percent.

“In Crimson Interactive, we induct graduates of varied backgrounds including medicine, biosciences, physical sciences, engineering, business, arts and the humanities. As a young organisation, we offer employees an open culture with numerous opportunities to grow with the company. Currently more than 450 research and language editors in India and countries including the US, UK, and Australia are working with us. We also have an in-house team of more than 80 senior editors serving over 40,000 individuals and corporate clients spread over 67 countries. Moreover, we have 500 freelancers working for us around the world,” says Sharad Mittal, the founder-chief executive of Crimson Interactive, which has subsidiaries in Japan and the US and a presence in China, Taiwan, Turkey, Korea, Middle East, Brazil, Germany and Russia.

A commerce graduate of Bombay University with an MBA from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management, Mittal founded Crimson Interactive in 2005. “When I started my venture, language service providers were unknown in India. However, after reading poorly produced instruction manuals of consumer products, I discerned a business opportunity in this segment,” recalls Mittal.

Since then, apart from doubling its revenue every year, Crimson has won several global awards including the prestigious Red Herring Top 100 Global Award (2010). An ISO 9001:2008 certified company, its cracking pace of growth won Mittal the Corporate Leadership Award of the All India Achievers Foundation in 2009.

“This is an awesome career option for individuals with a passion for their specialisation and the English language. While the global growth of the LSP industry averages 15 percent per year, in India we are growing at twice the pace. This is a new career option for India’s academically-oriented youth,” says Mittal.

Way to go!

Indra Gidwani (Mumbai)