Related Career Categories

• Clergy
• Clinical Psychologist
• Clinical Social Worker
• Community Developer
• Family Social Worker
• Geriatric Social Worker
• Health Social Worker
• Human Service Manager
• Interpreter
• Mental Health Counselor
• School Social Worker
• Social Worker

School and Career Surprises: Tips From People on the Job

Career: "I actually declined an offer to work in my chosen field. Instead I decided to go into education. Specifically I work with hearing impaired children in the K-12 educational setting. I go with mainstreamed deaf children and facilitate the communication between them and the classroom teacher. The thing that surprises me is how much I continue to learn everyday. This is a profession where there is a lot of interaction with children. If you love children and want a sense of purpose and know that you are helping someone, this is a good profession. Sign language interpreters are always needed in the educational setting."

Career: "I was surprised by the need to continually update my expertise. I constantly have to take new classes and workshops in order to maintain my career. I must take 20 hours of continuing education each year to maintain my career."

Career: "I was surprised at how much I still have to study, there's still so much I have to look up. I really wish there had been classes more focused on kanji, instead I end up teaching them to myself."

Best & Worst Things About This Career

"The best part is when a deaf student is involved in a meaningful discussion with his/her hearing peers and I know that the interpretation process is "working". It's totally rewarding! My worst part is actually a two-way tie. 1) Interpreting humor and music is always difficult and sometimes impossible. 2) Because of the socio-economics of the city I work in there are often problems in these kids' homes that I can do nothing about. Oftentimes the kids' parents don't know sign language so there is no communication in the home. That really frustrates me."

Tips for Succeeding in This Career

"1. You can actually work as an interpreter with either an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree, but I strongly recommend a bachelor's degree because you need to have such a broad knowledge of topics. For example I complained loudly about having to take college chemistry, but sure enough, I eventually wound up interpreting a chemistry class. If you don't understand it yourself, you can't interpret it. 2. Read as much as you can about deaf culture. We're not only dealing with linguistic issues, we're dealing with huge cultural differences. A good easy-reading book to start with is "Train Go Sorry" by Leah Hager Cohen. 3. Take care of yourself physically. Interpreting is a physically demanding job."