Can translating be taken as a real job?

Why would it not be a full-time job?

Depending on your translation level, I guess that will affect how much you can get paid, ranging from UN-level type of translators, to part-time gig translators. 

I've gigged as a Vietnamese-English translator and done Chinese-English text translations. 

I also have a couple of friends who are full-time English-Chinese translators.

TemitopeAkinyede wrote:

Can it be taken as a full time job? What do you think?

Yes, there are a lot of companies, doctors, lawyers, that have documents, conversations files, print material, commercials, etc that need to be translated in different languages. And this are just a few examples, there are many scenarios where translations are necessary.

Yes, but it depends on your proficiency and certification. Also on the kind of language since there has to be a demand for it.

Absolutely, as long as you have the skills and the credentials that is. One of my Japanese teachers worked as a fulltime translator for years and he said it pays pretty good money. He also mentioned that it is a good career path as he gets work proposals from lots of companies.