How to Become an Interpreter | Interprepedia

Summary

In this informative video, interpreter Rosa outlines a 10-step roadmap for aspiring interpreters, emphasizing that while formal education in translation and interpretation is ideal, interpreters are needed in diverse settings. She advises on language proficiency testing, taking relevant courses, crafting a resume, leveraging LinkedIn, understanding the industry, joining professional associations, networking, volunteering for experience, and job application strategies. Rosa's personal anecdotes and industry insights guide viewers through the practical steps to launch a career in interpretation.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ The video is a roadmap for becoming an interpreter based on the speaker's experience, not a one-size-fits-all guide.
• 🌐 Interpreters are needed in various situations beyond conferences and speeches, such as medical appointments and insurance claims.
• 📚 Proficiency in at least two languages is essential for interpreters, and language proficiency tests like TOEFL can be beneficial for certification and employment.
• 📘 Interpreter training involves multiple courses and workshops to learn about ethics, protocol, and field-specific vocabulary.
• 🔍 Creating a resume that highlights transferable skills from previous career fields is crucial for aspiring interpreters.
• 💼 Building a LinkedIn profile can be a key tool for finding clients, as the speaker has experienced success through this platform.
• 🤔 Researching the language services industry, including professional associations and credentials, is important for understanding the field.
• 📢 Joining a professional association can offer educational opportunities, networking, and demonstrate commitment to the interpreting career.
• 🤝 Networking through social media, events, and reaching out to others in the field is vital for building connections and gaining opportunities.
• 🌟 Volunteering can provide valuable experience, develop skills, and potentially lead to client connections in the interpreting industry.
• 📝 Job opportunities in interpreting often come in the form of contract work, and applying through language service providers' websites can yield unexpected offers.
• 💪 Patience and perseverance are key to landing opportunities in interpreting, as the process can involve extensive research and application efforts.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video by Rosa?

The main purpose of the video is to share a 10-step roadmap on how to become an interpreter, based on Rosa's personal experience and the experiences of other practicing interpreters she knows.

Why does Rosa emphasize that the video's title is for algorithmic purposes?

Rosa emphasizes this because she wants to convey that while the video is titled 'How to Become an Interpreter,' it is more of a flexible roadmap rather than a strict set of rules, acknowledging that there are multiple paths to becoming an interpreter.

What are some of the non-traditional settings where interpreters are needed according to the video?

Interpreters are needed in various settings such as medical appointments, insurance claims, and even in war times, not just for interpreting conferences or presidential speeches.

Why does Rosa suggest taking a language proficiency test?

Rosa suggests taking a language proficiency test to prove one's fluency in a language, as some certification programs, potential employers, or clients may require it, and it can help boost one's resume.

What does Rosa mean by saying that being bilingual alone doesn't make someone an interpreter?

Rosa means that simply knowing two languages is not enough to work as an interpreter; one must also have the specific skills required for interpreting, such as those taught in interpreting courses and workshops.

Why is it important to create a resume even if one has no experience as an interpreter?

Creating a resume is important because it forces one to assess their skills and can help identify transferable skills from previous experiences that can be applied to a career as an interpreter.

How does Rosa suggest one can find clients as an interpreter?

Rosa suggests using LinkedIn, as she has found most of her clients through this platform, and also recommends optimizing one's LinkedIn profile for better visibility.

What is the significance of joining a professional association for interpreters?

Joining a professional association offers advantages such as showing commitment to the new career, connecting with other professionals, and gaining access to educational opportunities at reduced costs.

Why is networking important for someone starting out as an interpreter?

Networking is important because it helps build connections with potential clients and colleagues, participate in industry events, and gain advice and insights from experienced interpreters.

How can volunteering help someone who is new to the interpreting field?

Volunteering helps by providing opportunities to meet new people who can become potential clients, develop and refine interpreting skills, and gain field experience, all of which are beneficial for building a resume.

What advice does Rosa give regarding job applications in the interpreting industry?

Rosa advises to look for opportunities on mainstream job search websites and directly on language services providers' websites, as many have special links for uploading resumes and creating profiles, even when there are no active listings.

What qualities does Rosa emphasize as key to success in the interpreting field?

Rosa emphasizes patience and perseverance as key qualities for success in the interpreting field, as it took her weeks of research and effort to land her first opportunity.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Becoming an Interpreter

Rosa, an interpreter, introduces the video's purpose, which is to guide viewers through the process of becoming an interpreter in 10 steps. She clarifies that the video is based on her personal experience and the common path taken by many interpreters she knows. Rosa acknowledges that while a prestigious education in Translation and Interpretation is ideal, interpreters are needed in various situations beyond high-level conferences, such as medical appointments and war times. She emphasizes the importance of considering local regulations and the diversity of paths to becoming an interpreter. The core skill required is high proficiency in at least two languages, and Rosa suggests taking language proficiency tests to validate one's abilities. She also highlights the importance of taking classes and workshops to learn about interpreting ethics, protocols, and field-specific vocabulary.

05:05

🤝 Steps for Interpreter Career Development

This paragraph focuses on the practical steps for aspiring interpreters to advance their careers. Rosa advises creating a specialized resume to assess and showcase one's skills, even without prior interpreting experience. She recommends leveraging LinkedIn for networking and finding clients, as she has done successfully. Rosa also stresses the importance of researching the language services industry, including professional associations, credentials, certifications, and language service providers. Joining a professional association is suggested for its educational opportunities and networking benefits. Networking is further emphasized through social media and participating in industry events. Volunteering is presented as a way to gain experience, refine skills, and meet potential clients. Rosa then discusses the job application process in the interpreting industry, noting that many opportunities are contract-based and suggests directly engaging with language service providers for potential job listings. She concludes by encouraging patience and perseverance in the job search process and invites viewers to her new blog for more content on the subject.

Keywords

💡Interpreter

An interpreter is a professional who translates spoken language from one language to another in real-time. In the video, the term is central to the theme as the speaker, Rosa, discusses her experience and provides a roadmap for becoming an interpreter. The video's aim is to guide viewers on how to enter this profession, highlighting the various skills and steps necessary for success in this field.

💡Language Proficiency

Language proficiency refers to the ability to use a language fluently and accurately. In the context of the video, it is a prerequisite for becoming an interpreter, as the speaker emphasizes the importance of being highly proficient in at least two languages. Rosa shares her personal experience of taking language proficiency tests like the TOEFL to prove her English skills, illustrating the necessity of formal assessment for interpreters.

💡Certification Programs

Certification programs are structured courses or examinations that validate an individual's skills and knowledge in a specific field. The script mentions these programs as a potential requirement for interpreters, suggesting that obtaining certification can enhance one's credibility and resume, even though it is not explicitly stated as mandatory.

💡Resume

A resume is a document used by job seekers to present their skills, experience, and education. In the video, Rosa advises creating a resume tailored to the interpreting profession, emphasizing its importance in showcasing relevant skills and experiences, even for those new to the field. The script also suggests using the resume to identify transferable skills from previous career fields.

💡LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform often used for job searching and career development. The video highlights the use of LinkedIn as a tool for finding clients, with Rosa sharing that she has found most of her clients through this platform. It is presented as an essential part of an interpreter's professional online presence.

💡Professional Associations

Professional associations are organizations that bring together individuals in the same profession to promote common interests and provide support. In the script, joining such an association is recommended for new interpreters as it demonstrates commitment to the profession, offers opportunities for networking, and provides access to educational resources.

💡Language Services Industry

The language services industry encompasses all businesses and professionals involved in providing translation, interpretation, and localization services. The video encourages viewers to research this industry to understand the professional landscape, including credentials, certifications, and companies that hire interpreters.

💡Networking

Networking refers to the process of building and maintaining professional relationships. The script emphasizes the importance of networking for new interpreters, suggesting that it can lead to potential clients and provide opportunities to learn from others in the field. Rosa mentions using social media and participating in events to build one's professional network.

💡Volunteering

Volunteering is the act of offering one's time and effort for free to support a cause or organization. In the context of the video, volunteering is presented as a way for new interpreters to gain experience, refine their skills, and make connections that could lead to future job opportunities.

💡Contract Work

Contract work refers to a type of employment where work is performed under a contract for a specific period or task, rather than as a permanent employee. The video explains that many opportunities in the interpreting field are for contract work, where interpreters are seen as service providers to companies, and advises viewers on how to find such opportunities.

💡Patience and Perseverance

Patience and perseverance are personal qualities that involve enduring delays or hardships without giving up. The speaker, Rosa, emphasizes these qualities as essential for success in the interpreting profession, sharing her own experience of weeks of research and effort before securing her first opportunity.

Highlights

Introduction to the video on becoming an interpreter in 10 steps by Rosa.

The video serves as a roadmap based on personal experience and common practices among interpreters.

Interpreters are needed in various situations beyond conferences and speeches, such as medical appointments and insurance claims.

Different countries have different regulations for practicing translation and interpretation.

The necessity of being highly proficient in at least two languages for interpreters.

Suggestion to take language proficiency tests like TOEFL to prove language skills.

The importance of taking classes and workshops to learn interpreting skills beyond language proficiency.

Creating a resume to assess skills and transferable experiences from other career fields.

Utilizing LinkedIn for networking and finding clients as an interpreter.

Researching the language services industry to understand professional associations and credentials.

Joining a professional association to connect with professionals and gain educational opportunities.

The significance of networking through social media and participating in events to build a professional network.

Overcoming inexperience through volunteering to gain field experience and meet potential clients.

Applying for jobs, with a focus on contract work as a service provider in the language services industry.

Finding job opportunities through language services providers' websites and creating a profile for potential offers.

The importance of patience and perseverance in the job search process for interpreters.

Invitation to Rosa's new blog for more content on becoming an interpreter and industry insights.

Transcripts

Hello! and welcome to Interprepedia! My name  is Rosa, I'm an interpreter and in this video  

I'm going to share with you "How to Become  an Interpreter" in 10 steps. Before we start,  

I would like to point out a few  things. Although I've named this video  

"How to Become an Interpreter" for algorithmic  purposes, in reality this is more of a roadmap  

of how the majority of practicing interpreters I  know, including myself, have become interpreters.  

Evidently, there is more than one way to achieve  this, and in a perfect world we would all have  

the will - and the opportunity - to attend a  prestigious university to get a Bachelor's Degree  

in Translation and Interpretation followed by a  Master' Degree in Conference Interpreting with  

extensive internships here and there to eventually  become interpreters for the United Nations  

and live happily ever after. But we are not in a  perfect world and interpreters are needed in many  

situations, from medical appointments, insurance  claims, and even in war times as we are witnessing  

right now. They're not just needed to interpret  conferences or presidential speeches. So,  

anyway, I'm going on a tangent here. The last  thing I want to point out is the fact that  

I'm only speaking from personal experience based  on where I work and the type of clients I have.  

Obviously, if you are tuning in from a different  part of the world this may not apply to you as  

different countries have different regulations  to practice translation and interpretation.  

With that being said, let's get started.  Obviously, the core skill needed to work  

as an interpreter is being highly proficient  in at least two languages. Now, if you speak  

two languages already and you're wondering  if your proficiency is enough to actually  

work as an interpreter you can take a language  proficiency test. In my case, for example, I have  

a degree from a higher education institution in  a country where Spanish is the official language  

so for most intents and purposes, that alone  can serve as proof of my proficiency in Spanish.  

However, I had to take the TOEFL exam to prove  my proficiency in English. I would not say this  

is mandatory but I highly suggest you consider it  because some certification programs and potential  

employers or clients require this and it can  help boost your resume. Much like dancing at your  

cousin's wedding doesn't make you a professional  dancer being bilingual alone doesn't make us  

interpreters. I learned that the hard way  when I just started and I had to take my first  

interpreting test and in spite of knowing pretty  much all the vocabulary I didn't pass the actual  

interpreting exercises. So, take some classes.  And I say that in plural because there is not one  

single course that will teach you absolutely  everything that you need to know to work  

as an interpreter. You can start small and take  a combination of short courses and workshops or  

webinars to learn about ethics and protocol, how  interpreters are expected to work in the field  

where you want to work, and vocabulary related  to that field. It's important to start creating  

a new resume as soon as possible even if you have  little or no experience working as an interpreter.  

Preparing your resume will force you to assess  your skills and if you are transitioning from a  

different career field you can dig deep into your  background to see what skills and experience can  

be transferred to create your new resume. Once  your new resume is done it will be easy peasy to  

create your Linkedin profile. I can tell you that  I've found most of my clients through Linkedin  

and since I already made a video with some tips  about how to make the best of Linkedin if you are  

an interpreter or translator I would like  to invite you to check it out. Another very  

important step is to take time to learn about the  language services industry. I suggest you do some  

research to learn about professional associations  for interpreters, credentials or certifications  

in the field that you're interested in working,  language services providers because those are the  

companies that hire or subcontract interpreters,  and also learn about fellow interpreters.  

Many interpreters have podcasts, YouTube channels,  websites, and social media pages or groups  

where you can learn a lot about the industry.  Another step I suggest is joining a professional  

association because this offers a lot of  advantages to all interpreters, but to new  

interpreters, it shows that you are committed and  engaged in this new career, it gives you unique  

opportunities to connect with other professionals  in the industry, plus most associations offer  

regular educational opportunities at no cost or at  least at a reduced cost for their members which is  

another perk of joining one. Once you know who's  who and what's what it's time to start networking.  

Post about your new career on social media so  colleagues and recruiters can start noticing you  

reach out to others and ask for advice, ask  questions, and participate in events both online  

and in-person to start building your network.  If you are just starting out, obviously that  

means you have little experience and one great  way to overcome that is through volunteering.   

No matter the industry you're in, doing volunteer  work feels good and looks good on your resume.  

Volunteering offers a lot of advantages because  it gives you the opportunity to meet new people  

who can later become potential clients. It helps  you develop and refine your skills, and it helps  

you gain some experience in the field. At this  point you should be ready to start applying  

for jobs. One thing you should know is that in this  industry many opportunities are not actual jobs  

or traditional employment. In my experience, I would  say the majority of listings are for contract work  

where you are considered a supplier of services  to another company. But either way the application  

process is somewhat similar. You can find out about  open positions on mainstream job search websites  

but I suggest you visit the language services  providers' websites directly because many have  

special links where you can upload your resume  and create a profile even if there's no active  

listing or an open position, because you might be  surprised by an offer when you least expect it.   

I hope this helps bring some clarity as you embark  on this new career field and please remember  

that patience and perseverance are key in this  process. It took me weeks and weeks of research,  

emails, filling out forms over and over, and  tweaking my resume, before I landed my first  

opportunity. If you are interested in this type  of content I would like to invite you to visit  

my new website where i have started a new blog  and I'll be posting articles very frequently.  

I actually posted an article about this in the  blog days before I posted this video here. So, if  

you want to stay in the know make sure to check it  out and subscribe to the email list to get notices  

when new articles are uploaded. And that was it  for today. Thank you so much for watching! ¡Adiós!