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Small town girl finds rewarding career interpreting
As a small town girl who went to a mid-sized college before heading to the nation's capitol to pursue a career in interpreting for the deaf, Jessica Howell, 23, represents someone who has found her passion and is following her dreams.
Howell's journey started when she took post-secondary classes at Sinclair Community College during her junior and senior year of high school. In order to graduate with honors, the recommended foreign language recommended three years of one language or two years of two languages. She chose American Sign Language as her second language credit.
"I was fascinated by the language at first, and after the initial exposure, I learned about interpreting as a profession and about Deaf culture," said Howell. "Not only is ASL a rich and valid language composed of complex ideas, grammar, and expression, it also coexists with Deaf culture. Deaf individuals see themselves as culturally different, not as a disability. I learned more of this visual way of life and language and never turned back."
After graduating from Greenon High School in 2002, Howell went on to Eastern Kentucky University, in Richmond, Ky., where she served as vice president of membership/recruitment and chapter president as a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, served as captain of the EKU dance team, was on the Dean's List all four years, participated in the Interpreter Training Program Association (ITPA), and worked part-time in the Admissions Department and Interpreter Training Office.
In January 2006, Howell was accepted to participate in the mentorship program established by Sign Language Associates (www.signlanguage.com).
"Sign Language Associates is the oldest, largest, and most successful private interpreting service provider in the country," said Howell. "Since SLA, in my opinion, is the front-runner in the field of interpreting, I wanted to be a part of the best. The Mentorship Program was the perfect bridge from college into the working world."
Howell graduated from college in May 2006 with a bachelor's degree in the Interpreter Training Program. She then chose to continue with SLA fulltime in Washington, D.C.
"It is the ultimate experience for interpreters who want endless variety and daily challenge," said Howell. "The majority of the Deaf community is highly intelligent professionals who are very savvy in their field of work. I still get excited to go to work every day and can't explain how many talented people have had an impact in my life since moving here."
Since working for SLA, Howell has designed a Cultural Literacy workshop for interpreters, participated in system reviews for the Mentorship Program, and organized welcoming gatherings for new employees.
She has interpreted in places ranging from: auditing agencies, emergency rooms, computer trainings, diversity seminars, physical therapies, behavior health clinics, government and business meetings, site seeing/tours, nutrition classes, accounting classes, theatrical performances, concerts, and day-to-day family appointments.
Howell also does video interpreting when the client is not near an interpreter. Using a camera, video is simultaneously sent to the other individuals.
Her favorite type of interpreting is performing arts. SLA has a program called the Cultural Access Program (CAP) that offers area venues theatrical interpreting. They provide a team of Performing Arts interpreters and an understudy, who rehearse and practice as if they were in the show. When the curtain goes up, there is quality and accessible interpretation provided the day of the show, said Howell.
"My favorite memory was my first concert this past year," said Howell. "I interpreted for Ray LaMontagne and Guster who are two fairly new groups. We stood on stage next to the band. Performing at a concert is much more of a rush than just being in the stands."
Howell is also a part-time student at Gallaudet University where she is working to obtain a Master's degree in Deaf Studies with an emphasis in Culture.
"I plan to continue working full-time while slowly but surely pursuing my dream of obtaining a masters degree," said Howell. "I have a passion for signing and a fascination with Deaf culture and bi-lingual studies. Gallaudet is the Mecca of Deafness, since it is the world's only university in which all programs and services are designed to accommodate Deaf and hard of hearing students."
According to Howell, there are two ways to view Deafness. Some define this difference by spelling "deaf" with either a capital "D" or a lower case "d." Those who support the pathological view point of deafness, use a lower case "d," meaning that being deaf is only a hearing deficiency.
Those who support the cultural view point of Deafness, use a capital "D." This includes a sense of pride and acceptance for being Deaf and being a part of the Deaf community, which is a minority culture. This culture is surrounded by a visual life style and use of sign language.
Like any language, ASL is always evolving and redefining itself. With time, we reshape how we use language. ASL is no different. Interpreters constantly learn new signs and concepts on a daily basis.
"Being an interpreter allows me to work and meet some powerful and inspiring people, plus, I learn a little bit about everything with diversity of jobs," said Howell. "The challenge is found in the midst of all the fun. I love the diversity, but it can be a struggle when meeting a person for the first time and adjusting to their office lingo and use of language."
Qualifications for certified interpreters are becoming stricter. Interpreters in the past were seen as "helpers" or "friends." Now with National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) National Interpreter Certification requirements (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) more and more interpreters are going through testing and are required to have CEU credits. For Howell, the Interpreter Training Program (ITP) is a new experience.
"I am driven and always strive to be better in every aspect of life," said Howell. "If there is room for improvement, I will take it on myself and get the job done. I enjoy going above and beyond because I know it's possible."
For those interested in becoming an interpreter, Howell offers this advice:
"The best way to learn about a language and a culture is to surround yourself with it, fully," said Howell. "I strongly support education and higher education to be successful. But not everything can be acquired in a classroom. You have to experience it for yourself to truly understand and respect the language and community."
Howell suggests that early ASL or ITP students participate with the Mini Deaf Olympics (www.teammdo.org), which she has done for the last four years. This is a week long event every summer that allows students to immerse themselves in Deaf culture with a good support system.
Howell took a chance and followed her career passion far from Enon, Ohio, but she still gives credit to those back home who helped her along the way.
Howell's mentors have also been her teachers at EKU, Deaf and hearing, her official mentors at SLA, other unofficial mentors at SLA and many of her peers in the Deaf and Interpreting community.
As a small town girl who went to a mid-sized college before heading to the nation's capitol to pursue a career in interpreting for the deaf, Jessica Howell, 23, represents someone who has found her passion and is following her dreams.
Howell's journey started when she took post-secondary classes at Sinclair Community College during her junior and senior year of high school. In order to graduate with honors, the recommended foreign language recommended three years of one language or two years of two languages. She chose American Sign Language as her second language credit.
"I was fascinated by the language at first, and after the initial exposure, I learned about interpreting as a profession and about Deaf culture," said Howell. "Not only is ASL a rich and valid language composed of complex ideas, grammar, and expression, it also coexists with Deaf culture. Deaf individuals see themselves as culturally different, not as a disability. I learned more of this visual way of life and language and never turned back."
After graduating from Greenon High School in 2002, Howell went on to Eastern Kentucky University, in Richmond, Ky., where she served as vice president of membership/recruitment and chapter president as a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, served as captain of the EKU dance team, was on the Dean's List all four years, participated in the Interpreter Training Program Association (ITPA), and worked part-time in the Admissions Department and Interpreter Training Office.
In January 2006, Howell was accepted to participate in the mentorship program established by Sign Language Associates (www.signlanguage.com).
"Sign Language Associates is the oldest, largest, and most successful private interpreting service provider in the country," said Howell. "Since SLA, in my opinion, is the front-runner in the field of interpreting, I wanted to be a part of the best. The Mentorship Program was the perfect bridge from college into the working world."
Howell graduated from college in May 2006 with a bachelor's degree in the Interpreter Training Program. She then chose to continue with SLA fulltime in Washington, D.C.
"It is the ultimate experience for interpreters who want endless variety and daily challenge," said Howell. "The majority of the Deaf community is highly intelligent professionals who are very savvy in their field of work. I still get excited to go to work every day and can't explain how many talented people have had an impact in my life since moving here."
Since working for SLA, Howell has designed a Cultural Literacy workshop for interpreters, participated in system reviews for the Mentorship Program, and organized welcoming gatherings for new employees.
She has interpreted in places ranging from: auditing agencies, emergency rooms, computer trainings, diversity seminars, physical therapies, behavior health clinics, government and business meetings, site seeing/tours, nutrition classes, accounting classes, theatrical performances, concerts, and day-to-day family appointments.
Howell also does video interpreting when the client is not near an interpreter. Using a camera, video is simultaneously sent to the other individuals.
Her favorite type of interpreting is performing arts. SLA has a program called the Cultural Access Program (CAP) that offers area venues theatrical interpreting. They provide a team of Performing Arts interpreters and an understudy, who rehearse and practice as if they were in the show. When the curtain goes up, there is quality and accessible interpretation provided the day of the show, said Howell.
"My favorite memory was my first concert this past year," said Howell. "I interpreted for Ray LaMontagne and Guster who are two fairly new groups. We stood on stage next to the band. Performing at a concert is much more of a rush than just being in the stands."
Howell is also a part-time student at Gallaudet University where she is working to obtain a Master's degree in Deaf Studies with an emphasis in Culture.
"I plan to continue working full-time while slowly but surely pursuing my dream of obtaining a masters degree," said Howell. "I have a passion for signing and a fascination with Deaf culture and bi-lingual studies. Gallaudet is the Mecca of Deafness, since it is the world's only university in which all programs and services are designed to accommodate Deaf and hard of hearing students."
According to Howell, there are two ways to view Deafness. Some define this difference by spelling "deaf" with either a capital "D" or a lower case "d." Those who support the pathological view point of deafness, use a lower case "d," meaning that being deaf is only a hearing deficiency.
Those who support the cultural view point of Deafness, use a capital "D." This includes a sense of pride and acceptance for being Deaf and being a part of the Deaf community, which is a minority culture. This culture is surrounded by a visual life style and use of sign language.
Like any language, ASL is always evolving and redefining itself. With time, we reshape how we use language. ASL is no different. Interpreters constantly learn new signs and concepts on a daily basis.
"Being an interpreter allows me to work and meet some powerful and inspiring people, plus, I learn a little bit about everything with diversity of jobs," said Howell. "The challenge is found in the midst of all the fun. I love the diversity, but it can be a struggle when meeting a person for the first time and adjusting to their office lingo and use of language."
Qualifications for certified interpreters are becoming stricter. Interpreters in the past were seen as "helpers" or "friends." Now with National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) National Interpreter Certification requirements (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) more and more interpreters are going through testing and are required to have CEU credits. For Howell, the Interpreter Training Program (ITP) is a new experience.
"I am driven and always strive to be better in every aspect of life," said Howell. "If there is room for improvement, I will take it on myself and get the job done. I enjoy going above and beyond because I know it's possible."
For those interested in becoming an interpreter, Howell offers this advice:
"The best way to learn about a language and a culture is to surround yourself with it, fully," said Howell. "I strongly support education and higher education to be successful. But not everything can be acquired in a classroom. You have to experience it for yourself to truly understand and respect the language and community."
Howell suggests that early ASL or ITP students participate with the Mini Deaf Olympics (www.teammdo.org), which she has done for the last four years. This is a week long event every summer that allows students to immerse themselves in Deaf culture with a good support system.
Howell took a chance and followed her career passion far from Enon, Ohio, but she still gives credit to those back home who helped her along the way.
Howell's mentors have also been her teachers at EKU, Deaf and hearing, her official mentors at SLA, other unofficial mentors at SLA and many of her peers in the Deaf and Interpreting community.