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Client Profile
The Russian/English
Language Service
From the time he was young, Mr. Turnberg had an interest in learning another language. "I had a personal interest in learning another language, but I also knew that being bilingual could open up many new doors in terms of employment," says Mr. Turnberg. After graduating high school, he began to explore various career paths. He soon learned of the Defense Language Institute, or The Presidio of Monterey, as it is also known, which is run by the U.S. Department of Defense. "I was told that it was an intensive program, one that immerses you in the language completely," says Mr. Turnberg. "This (immersion) is really the only way you can learn a language well. So many people take two and three years of a language in college and walk out hardly remembering a word. I knew that The Presidio was the only way to go." So, in 1989 Mr. Turnberg enlisted in the U.S. Army and headed for Monterey, California. He was offered a choice of three languages, but there was no guarantee in which he would be trained. He chose Russian, Japanese and Korean. Mr. Turnberg was pleased to find out that he received his first choice, Russian. "I have Russian and Ukrainian roots," he explains, "and my mother actually spoke Russian as a child. I was happy to hear that I, too, would learn Russian." The program at the Defense Language Institute would provide Mr. Turnberg with rigorous training, 6 - 8 hours a day of instruction and practice. Says Mr. Turnberg, "It was a sink or swim program. You really had to dedicate yourself in order to survive, and the school makes that clear from the start. Nearly half of the students that enroll do not finish the program." Mr. Turnberg’s dedication showed through. Not only was he able to complete the program, but was fluent in Russian in under a year and a half. Following his education at the Defense Language Institute, Mr. Turnberg left for Germany where he served as a Human Intelligence Specialist for the U.S. Army for three years. After completing his duties in 1992, Mr. Turnberg returned to the United States, unsure how helpful his knowledge of Russian would be back here at home. He envisioned himself having to return to Europe if he were to make use of his skills in a professional setting. "When I left for Germany, the Russian population in Springfield was very tiny." says Mr. Turnberg. "I was pleased to learn that during the three years I spent over seas, the Russian population had exploded and was at an all time high. My skills turned out to be very valuable, and there was an immediate need for them." In 1992, he enrolled at the University of Massachusetts. He completed his Bachelors in Russian in 1994 and his Masters in Education in 1996. While completing his practicum for the University, he met Olga, who was working with a Russian economic development project. In 1996, he was offered a job with this project and headed for Pskov, Russia. During this time, he not only worked as an interpreter, but he and Olga began to date. Mr. Turnberg would make 8 trips back and forth to Russia, and on one of those trips, he and Olga married. "Olga has a vast amount of interpreting experience," explains Mr. Turnberg. "She learned English while studying to be an English teacher at the Pytagorsk Pedagogical Institute in Georgia (Old Soviet Republic). When she moved to Pskov in the early 90’s she began working for the Regional Government and through that job, she interpreted for many political, trade and social delegates from Scandanavia, the US and Europe. Once, she even interpreted for the former US Ambassador to Russia, Charles Magee. Olga traveled extensively throughout Scandanavia and Europe interpreting for Russian delegates going abroad. She also did a great deal of interpreting on a Danish environmental project in Pskov that lasted for several years. Back in the States, Mr. Turnberg found plenty of career opportunities using his skills in Russian. "When I first returned to the States, I worked for Greater Springfield Senior Services, working with Russian-speaking elders and their families. Later, I landed my current job as a Career Counselor at Future Works in Springfield. During this time, my wife and I began free lancing as interpreters," says Mr. Turnberg. "The interpreting business began to snow ball, and fast. After doing just a few jobs, word began to spread that there was a couple living in the Springfield area that spoke Russian. The business grew on word of mouth alone. When things get too busy, we have two per diem interpreters that work for us." Over the past few years, The Turnbergs have interpreted in a wide variety of settings. "If you think about it," says Mr. Turnberg, "a potential need for interpretation exists in any situation where one human being needs to communicate with another. This business has been very interesting and enriching for us. I have been present for the births of many babies, during surgical procedures, in the court room with a Russian Ballerina with an accident injury claim, and in the homes of new students and immigrants getting settled. I was even hired to interpret for a Russian Black Smith. The opportunities to expand my vocabulary have been endless. You learn so much about yourself and others. And, after seeing cesarean sections and major surgery up close, nothing fazes you," Mr. Turnberg says with a laugh. The Turnberg stay very busy these days. Mr. Turnberg explains, "My wife spends a lot of time interpreting and also helps me to explore new referral sources. I continue to work at Future Works, while providing interpretation services and working on my MBA at the University of Massachusetts." In addition, the Turnbergs are enjoying raising their two-year-old daughter and three-month-old son. "Currently we are exploring new opportunities for our business," says Mr. Turnberg. "We regularly check ‘E-Lance’ (a website listing free lance opportunities) and Peter Cokotis, our Procurement Specialist from the PTAC, is helping us explore Federal contracts." Says Mr. Cokotis, "Ben and Olga will have no problem expanding their business. Ben is a hard worker and is quite resourceful. When he came to me to explore government contracting, it was clear to me that he really understood his work and the niche that he and his wife have. After helping him through the initial stages of the bidding process, Ben became very focused and did all he had to do to familiarize himself with what he was getting into regarding the scope of work and the terms and conditions of the contract at hand. He’s very diligent and has a positive attitude which will take him far." Eventually, Mr. and Mrs. Turnberg hope to work in the area of International Career Development, specifically with businesses that deal with importing and exporting. When asked what his ideal job would be, Mr. Turnberg smiles; he knows exactly what it would be. "The perfect job would be in a situation where I could use my ability to speak Russian, my skills in business, and my knowledge of the Fire Fighting Industry," he says. Mr. Turnberg is also a Nationally Certified Fire Fighter. "I don’t know what the likelihood of this happening is," states Mr. Turnberg, "but you never know! Until then, my wife and I will continue to develop our business, The Russian/English Language Service, and enjoy our two children." Overview
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