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Any Out of State Terp (not TX and can't be the same person as above)
Name: (can be just your first or board name)
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Meredith
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What type and level of Certification do you hold?
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RID certification - CI/CT
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1. How many years have you been interpreting?
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Almost 6 years
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2. What do you like about the industry?
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You get to experience a wide variety of situations. I have done medical, theater, VRS, educational, all different kinds of things. I have learned a little bit from every place I have gone to. I don't necessarily remember it all, but I think doing a little bit of everything helps broaden your knowledge overall.
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3. What do you dislike about the industry?
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There is a lot of personal competition. I think we should all be focused on serving our clients, but instead there is a lot of "I'm better than you" and "I'm more experienced than you" and general haughtiness between terps. Not always, but it's there. Also, it's frustrating to watch audism happening and not be able to do anything about it.
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4. What have you experienced on your job that you wish you had been more adequately trained?
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I wish I had been more prepared for criticism. Some people will find something to criticize no matter what. Even if your interpreting was flawless, they didn't like that you crossed your legs when sitting, or your posture when standing, or your jewelry, or whatever.
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5. What is one of the worse experiences you have had as an interpreter?
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That would have to be my very first assignment ever. It was a hospital setting, and the deaf client lifted up his hospital gown and flashed me. Repeatedly. I ended up sitting in the hall. I was kind of in the way, but once the nurses heard what had happened, they understood!
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6. Do you enjoy interpreting?
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Oh yes, I love it. I may whine and complain a lot but I still love my job.
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7. What advice do you have for students in the interpreting training program, preparing to be interpreters?
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Trust yourself. If you aren't confident, it will come through in your interpreting. If you don't trust yourself with the assignment, don't do it...so the rest of the time, trust yourself!. Also, be a good teammate...don't read a book while your team is up there interpreting. Be ready to feed them if they need it, switch early if they need it, etc. Also, be prepared for hearing people to come up to you and say "that was so beautiful, you're such a good interpreter" - refrain from replying "how would you know?"
