When Macy migrated from Iran to Australia in 2011, she arrived as a skilled migrant with a successful career working as a metallurgy engineer. 

Born in Iran’s capital, Tehran, she lived and worked in the cosmopolitan city until the decision was made to move to Australia with her family. 

Soon after settling into her new life, she found a job in her field and started working again. However as the months went by, she began to recognise that working with metals was no longer fulfilling for her. “I realised that it was not my cup of tea and I discovered my passion is working directly with people, not metals!” she says.

She was introduced to the idea of becoming an interpreter, and got some training by doing the Interpreting course at RMIT, achieving Level 3 of Interpreting in 2013.

“Interacting with people, helping them to overcome the language barrier and facilitating connection of people from different ethnicities is the most fulfilling part of being an Interpreter. It’s like a hobby and I really enjoy it” says Macy.

The career also offers her new challenges and learnings through the wide variety of situations and organisations she finds herself in.

“Counselling sessions are the most challenging but also the most interesting part of this work. I learn a lot in counselling interpreting jobs, not only linguistically but also by getting tips for my own life”.

Macy believes it is important to keep learning and to keep up to date on technical terms to be a good interpreter, particularly for jobs in the legal or medical sectors. Alongside this, she also says it’s important to adhere to the Code of Ethics to stay on track.

For Macy, the most rewarding experience of all, is receiving positive feedback from the clients and professionals she has assisted upon completion of the sessions, knowing that everyone is satisfied.

Her favourite quote and something she remembers when she is working in emotional or stressful situations is; “raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder” by 13th century Persian poet, Rumi.

When Macy is not working in the career she loves, she enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her family.