Interview with a Professor :
Valerie Diveley, Ph.D., Professor in Department of Interpretation
1. What skills or qualities do you see as essential for successful majors in this field?
Fluency in both ASL and English is a must have. For hearing interpreters, full knowledge and clarity of ASL as well as contact sign. Expanded knowledge of the English language to be able to translate in any situation with appropriate vocabulary. Deaf and hard of hearing interpreters must have skills in contact sign and written English. Anyone entering this field must be a sociable! Interpreters interact with people for a living and must be able to communicate with a wide variety of people.
2. What should I do now as a freshman to start preparing myself for this major?
Preparing for this major is also the most challenging aspect of this major for many. Planning is the best way to prepare yourself for this major as well as in any aspect of your life. The interpreting program requires may hours outside of the classroom for internship and hands-on learning experiences which takes careful planning and precise scheduling. During your internship you will be working actual situations, meeting many people, building your reputation. Punctuality and diligence is important to new interpreters to show reliability.
3. What are possible career options for students in this major?
There are vast opportunities for students graduating from this program! There is more than just interpreting and VRS positions. Students may take this degree and move onto other areas such as social work or entering the medical profession. Running your own business such as your own agency or management for VRS services. Important thing is to get your name out and get involved.
4. What is the job market like for students graduating from this major?
As there is vast job opportunities and the interpreting profession growing at such a rapid rate the job market looks good as long you do your part to find openings. Research the area you decide to reside, find out what agencies are in the area, putting your resume out for employers to see, and most importantly network. You may only be as successful as the effort you put behind it.
5. How does your program prepare students for graduate school and/or life after graduation?
Students in our program get first hand experience through internship and learning experiences. Working in real work situations under supervision gives new interpreters experience in the field with support if situation occurs that they are not sure of. In the end, our interpreters have a firm grasp of how to carry themselves as a professional.
Interview with a Professional:
Kristina F. , ASL Interpreter
1. How did you decide on your career?
I had no intention of pursuing interpreting as a career in the beginning. I was attending a small community college in southern California and was looking for part-time work on campus when a friend pointed out that they the school was looking for ASL interpreters. Growing up CODA I knew sign language and had slight experience, as many CODAs do, interpreting for my parents. I went ahead and interviewed for the position and was hired interpreting for any situations needed on campus. I found interpreting to be very enlightening yet challenging and fell in love with the profession. Fourteen years later, here I am still a interpreter.
2. How does someone find a job opening in your field?
Research and Network. Start by researching the agencies in the area and sending your resume to those which seem successful and well known by others in the community. Checking out listings; RID and NAD is a good source for freelance interpreters to find work. Most importantly is networking! This profession is driven by the community and putting your name out there (in a positive way) is crucial. People talk and your reputation can either make or break you.
3. During a typical day at work, what do you spend most of your time doing?
Currently I and working for Gallaudet Interpreting Service (GIS), so I am here on campus 98% of the time and majority of that is in the classroom. I do have my fair share of conferences, especially on the weekends, and meetings as well.
4. What do you like most about your career?
Why I love this job so much is that there is always something new. Either going to new locations, meeting new people, or encountering a new situation that I am not familiar with. I am constantly learning new things.
5. What are the most difficult or frustrating aspects of your career?
There are many challenges involved in this career, biggest being is to know your limits and capabilities of types of assignments you can handle. Making sure that you have the skill set that is appropriate for the situation at hand. Along with knowing yourself and your own skill level is to prepare yourself for the assignment. Doing research on a topic that the assignment will be covering ahead of time and collecting any useful information at the assignment location before it begins. (ie.. names, previous engagements, particular signs) The most frustrating aspect is working with another interpreter in a team setting that is not prepared or just not skillfully adequate for the job. Like I said earlier, reputation is key and a poor interpreter as a teammate will reflect on you in the client's eyes. This will happen often, particularly with those who are new in the profession and have not developed their skill set. You must be prepared to help your teammate and make best of any situation.
6. What advice would you give to students entering this field that would help them to prepare?
Most important piece of advice i could give: Be ready for anything! There will be situations that make you feel uncomfortable and you must be mentally prepared to work through that. Also be ready and open for feedback, may it be positive or negative. You must be able to take negative feedback as constructive criticism as to develop from.
Finding a mentor would be a great resource in your development. Someone who could show you the ropes, teach you new skills that can't be learned in the classroom, and answer questions you may have. It is imperative that you ask questions about things unsure of before making a huge mistake!
