E-learning and employability in translator training: Introducing e-portfolio and personal development planning at the University of Vienna

摘要

This paper takes a look at employability in higher education. It presents case studies illustrating efforts to increase the employability of graduates of the BA and MA programmes of the Centre for Translation Studies at the University of Vienna. Measures on the curricular and planning levels encompass defining learning outcomes oriented towards professional requirements and encouraging didactic approaches, including e-learning, that promote transferable and translation technology skills. Measures at the teaching level include individual and group reflection processes about what relevant skills are and how they are acquired and introducing personal development planning and professional orientation to future graduates. The method and tool used for these latter purposes is the e-portfolio. The paper will also take an outlook at further steps and the required preconditions at curricular level.