Today we’d like to introduce you to Xiaosi Ruth Wu.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Xiaosi Ruth. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am a renowned Mandarin translator, but more importantly, I am an educator helping international students present their best in college application essays by tapping into their inner strengths and potentials.
“When a big event happens, you are there to witness the history”. This is what my professor told me in my first class when I started my undergraduate study of translation in China.
Throughout my years of interpreting, I walked the red carpet at the Hollywood Chinese Theater with a famous Chinese actor; sat in the newest Acura NSX on a racing track; flew in an aircraft while it was doing crazy stunts; saw walls of money in the underground vaults of the Federal Reserve Bank; sat next to Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg during a private meeting; walked along a float at the Pasadena Rose Parade for 5.5 miles; and provided consulting services for the script of one episode in “Two and a Half Men” show.
Graduated with a bachelor degree in translation from a university that opened the first translation undergraduate program in China, I received intense training to excel in this demanding and competitive industry. Besides learning how to interpret consecutively and simultaneously, I also studied extensive knowledge in business, law, and finance as well as how to understand different accents and to remember every word spoken in one minute.
With the goal of learning foreign cultures, I came to America to earn my master degree in mass communication and settled my life here. I marketed myself to law firms, government agencies, and language agencies, climbed the ladder and eventually seized some great opportunities, which helped me stay at the forefront of the industry. My clients included Vin Diesel, Carmelo Anthony, former Paramount CEO Brad Grey, and Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer. Every day is a new challenge, but I am learning new things every day.
Just when I thought I would devote my life to translation, my career took a turn a few years ago. Because of my strong language ability, I was approached by some friends to help them edit their application essays to American colleges. When I read their drafts, the first thing that came to my mind was that it was not a problem with their language, but a problem with their logic. They were often not fully aware of the nuances of American culture and what American colleges are looking for. There is also a lacking logical connection between their experiences and their future goals. In China, there are only the standardized tests, and many Chinese students lack the ability to present themselves as an individual through application essays. There are not many resources to help them as most of their parents could not even speak English. After thinking back about my own college experience and my lifelong aspiration to be an educator, I realized that my true calling is to help students tap their strengths and potentials that they may not be aware of. I want to let them know how amazing they are.
So, I founded ThinkPro and started to provide consulting services for Chinese students and help them structure their application essays in order to present their unique experience. My years of translation experience turned out to be very beneficial for this task. Through interpretation, I am trained to find the logic in the speaker’s words so to convey the meaning clearly to another party. Also, years of interpreting for the top industry leaders on various subjects provided me with great insights and the most cutting-edge information on different majors students are applying. So, when I did brainstorm sessions with the students, I was able to quickly sort their thoughts, clear out the logic, find their directions and provide the best personalized, game-changing advice to enable each applicant to stand above the rest.
Now, I have helped thousands of international students getting accepted into the university of their dreams. Watching the students blossom and grow and knowing that I do makes a difference, is what makes everything worth it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As a translator and a consultant, I need to keep up with relevant industry terms and trends at all times in order to remain at the forefront of the industry. After years of practice, this kind of work became my second nature but I am always prepared for any unexpected challenges. Readiness is an ongoing process, and conquering new challenges every day is one of the many things that makes my work so much fun.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the ThinkPro story. Tell us more about the business.
ThinkPro, Work With A Pro.
At ThinkPro, we help students construct outstanding college application essays because we help them become outstanding people. We work with students to brainstorm and develop ideas which are unique and bring out their individual strengths. We help students understand the structure of the essay, set goals to meet requirements of different colleges, analyze essay questions and brainstorm essay outlines.
We help each student present their best in the application essays, and most importantly, find their own voice – personally, professionally, and academically. A good offer is not enough; we emphasize the learning process throughout the application. It is our goal to help each individual identify his or her own goals, passions, and priorities.
ThinkPro also provides professional translation and interpretation in Mandarin and in English. With years of experience, we have come to realize that translating is not just interpreting two languages but also a communication between two cultures. Sometimes, a good business relationship sours because of misunderstanding or inadequate knowledge of another’s culture. So, we can assist the business as an interpreter, a consultant in Chinese businesses and customs and vice versa. With our services, we will not only help your business overcome the language barrier but also stand by your side and do our best to protect your business’s interests.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I like what Peter F. Drucker said, “Successful careers are not planned. They develop when people are prepared for opportunities because they know their strengths, their method of work, and their values.” I consider myself lucky because I act on opportunities in my life, make successful decisions by trusting my gut, never give up when facing difficulties, and thus transforming the bad luck into good luck by learning from my failures.
We are told to control our lives to be the best at our life and our career, but I believe what we can truly control is ourselves. When I came to America to continue my education, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I struggled, but I found my way to survive in this country. Looking back, this is one of the best decisions that I have ever made. When my friends turned to me for help with their personal statements, I realized the problems facing international students and thus become determined to help them succeed even though it means I would need to slow down a growing translation business. But it changed my life and led me to a career path that I could never have predicted and that I have so much passion for.
We are lucky because we are in control of our performance and decisions, and we could use our positive mindset and motivation to embrace the future.
Contact Info:
- Address: 16839 Gale Ave., City of Industry, CA 91745
- Website: www.ruthtranslation.com/www.thinkproedu.com
- Phone: 1 (323) 834-9286
- Email: thinkproedu@gmail.com
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ruth-translation-los-angeles-3
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