For those who have a strong interest in the Japanese language, the notion of someday becoming a professional interpreter can be difficult to ignore. Interpreters enjoy a variety of benefits, ranging from great pay to an immersive educational experience on the job. Becoming a Japanese interpreter doesn’t happen overnight, however — it can be a lengthy, difficult process.

While becoming an interpreter isn’t always easy, it doesn’t have to be impossible, either. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Immerse Yourself in the Language

If you have plans to ever become an interpreter, there’s no getting around the importance of immersing yourself in the Japanese language. This is the only way to gain a solid grasp of the language itself, and it simply cannot be skipped over. Immersing yourself in the language means reading, speaking, and writing in Japanese as often as possible — speaking, of course, being the most important for honing your interpreting skills. For best results, you may even want to spend a chunk of time in Japan, as this is the ultimate immersion experience.

Identify a Niche

There’s no getting around the importance of identifying a niche for yourself to stick to when setting out to become an interpreter. Having your own niche will ensure that you’re able to actually find steady work in the industry. You might want to focus on medical interpretation, for example, or perhaps work in the litigation sector — both of which require special certifications. The more you plan out what your niche will be, the more likely it is that you’ll find success.

Get an Education

Finally, you’re going to need to obtain a wealth of knowledge and a degree if you wish to become a Japanese interpreter. The education can be obtained in a number of ways, as you can take the university route or take classes at a local adult education facility. The details regarding your degree and certification needs can differ from state to state or job to job, so always remember to pay attention to the necessary requirements up to and including an interpreter code of ethics.