3 Tips For Public Service & Educational Interpreter Students

 

Students who aspire to become a public service interpreter or an educational interpreter have a lot on their plates right now. Managing regular day-to-day routines can be stressful enough, without wondering how to find a new bilingual career. And for someone fluent in more than one language, making a career change to something like language interpreting might seem like an easy choice to make. But you should know that becoming a public service interpreter or an educational interpreter is so much more involved than just knowing more than one language.

It's about learning the essential techniques and skills that you will rely upon. It's about building a career that requires you to help people navigate complex systems and access essential services. And you have to learn those things somewhere, before you can present yourself as a professional language interpreter. Although, if you're reading this, you most likely already knew that, and would rather learn something new about interpreter school.

 

3 keys to succeed as public service interpreter and educational interpreter students:

1. Start learning early

Our webinar-style approach to online interpreter training brings the interactive classroom environment anywhere you have internet connection. And your class is going to be led by expert instructors who already have language interpreting careers. But that doesn't mean you should wait until class is over to start getting experience.

• Look for volunteer work or internship opportunities in places like courts, schools, hospitals and non-profits are always looking for interpreters.
• Observe where you can by reaching out to organizations that have interpreters working already. If you ask politely, they might allow you to shadow an interpreter or observe a court hearing.
• Reach out to your town hall or municipal government, and inquire if there are any local businesses or agencies that need language interpretation. You might be able to volunteer at the library or provide some services as your class gets started.

 

2. Build your resume

These days, it really is more about who you know than what you know. Because you will need more than just skills and knowledge to be successful. So, by investing in our interpreting course means you need to get creative and start building your professional public service interpreting network.

• Polish your LinkedIn profile to include any volunteer language service work you are acquiring. Mention the languages you speak, your course, any specialized trainings and anything else related to your new career. And don't forget to connect with your newfound professional contacts!
• Join professional organizations like the American Translators Association (ATA), or the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT) for example. Follow them on social media, and see if there are any leads on volunteer opportunities, or professional development resources for those that want to become a public service interpreter.
• Language exchanges are a FREE resource that you can and should utilize! You never know who you are going to meet, and it's a great place to practice your skills in person in a low-pressure environment.

 

3. Never stop learning

Language interpreting is a competitive field, and to be successful you need to put in the work. Many skilled professionals are constantly improving their skills, and you should too.

• Continuing education with related specialized trainings will always increase your earning potential. If you want to become an educational interpreter, you might benefit from another course like Video Remote Interpreting (VRI).
• Stay connected with your classmates, instructors and industry contacts that you make while getting certified. You never know what other jobs or connections they could lead you to.
• Utilize the resources you have with some creativity. When you finish class, tell your local library that you are available to provide services and see if they can connect you. Join community groups and post your services. Make profiles on freelance work aps, like OfferUp. Hang fliers on bulletin boards. Do what you can, with what you already have.

Our online translator classes are taught by expert instructors ✅ who have real-world experience in their interpreting specialty. They have worked hard to make fully remote online courses that are unique and engaging ✅ using a hands-on approach that is unparalleled by the competition. If you or someone you know is interested in our online Medical Interpreter Training Programs with live instruction✅, our fully remote yet real time classes ✅ are offered in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Farsi, French, Hindi, Korean, Somali, Urdu, Ukrainian languages online and onsite.