How to know if ASL interpreter is for me?

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slslrpe798

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Hey everyone,

I'm a sophomore at a community college in Los Angeles and I'm taking ASL 102 (had 101 last semester) currently and simple LOVE ASL, Deaf people, Deaf culture, etc. I have though about becoming an ASL interpreter (or any other job working with ASL and Deaf people) many times in the past.

I know CSUN has an amazing Deaf Studies program that I would LOVE to take advantage of, but how do I find out if this is for me? I'm currently a Biology/Zoology major and minoring in Anthropology. Yes, I have many interests and they're all over the place.

My main reason for dismissing the idea of becoming an ASL interpreter in the past is simply because I've lived in LA all of my life and kinda want to get out for a few years, so I was thinking about transferring somewhere else and if I transfer to CSUN, I'd be still living at home with family, and I don't want that.

Another reason was that.. I LOVE Deaf people and ASL, and although becoming an ASL interpreter will help me be around both of those, is the actual job of INTERPRETING really pleasing to me? I honestly don't know if I'd want to only interpret. It seems fun, but I realize that if it were another language, such as English, Spanish, French, Armenian, etc, I wouldn't find the job of interpreting appealing.

Please, help and give me your thoughts, please!

PS, I'm 19, not that it matters, but it may help you give me advice. Thank you so much!

PPS, if I don't go down this road, I will just continue with my major/minor right now and transfer out in a year. I will still try to be connecting to ASL and Deaf culture all the time. I'm actually going to take ASL 103 at my school next semester. Unfortunately, the school I wanna transfer to doesn't offer more than 1-2 ASL classes. It's up in Humboldt. Don't really know much about the Deaf community up there.

THANK YOU!
 
eriksinanyan said:
Hey everyone,

I'm a sophomore at a community college in Los Angeles and I'm taking ASL 102 (had 101 last semester) currently and simple LOVE ASL, Deaf people, Deaf culture, etc. I have though about becoming an ASL interpreter (or any other job working with ASL and Deaf people) many times in the past.

I know CSUN has an amazing Deaf Studies program that I would LOVE to take advantage of, but how do I find out if this is for me? I'm currently a Biology/Zoology major and minoring in Anthropology. Yes, I have many interests and they're all over the place.

My main reason for dismissing the idea of becoming an ASL interpreter in the past is simply because I've lived in LA all of my life and kinda want to get out for a few years, so I was thinking about transferring somewhere else and if I transfer to CSUN, I'd be still living at home with family, and I don't want that.

Another reason was that.. I LOVE Deaf people and ASL, and although becoming an ASL interpreter will help me be around both of those, is the actual job of INTERPRETING really pleasing to me? I honestly don't know if I'd want to only interpret. It seems fun, but I realize that if it were another language, such as English, Spanish, French, Armenian, etc, I wouldn't find the job of interpreting appealing.

Please, help and give me your thoughts, please!

PS, I'm 19, not that it matters, but it may help you give me advice. Thank you so much!

PPS, if I don't go down this road, I will just continue with my major/minor right now and transfer out in a year. I will still try to be connecting to ASL and Deaf culture all the time. I'm actually going to take ASL 103 at my school next semester. Unfortunately, the school I wanna transfer to doesn't offer more than 1-2 ASL classes. It's up in Humboldt. Don't really know much about the Deaf community up there.

THANK YOU!
Click to expand...
Interesting...
A girl i know who had that same major and minor.. is now becoming an interpreter.
Maybe If i gave you the reasons why im a terp major it would help you decide
THE NEED FOR TERPS IS GREAT!
Its in high demand...
ASL is a beautiful language.. and the Deaf community.. is amazing to be involved in.
How deeply "in love" are you with this.. because if its just an interest..then you'll get tired of it easily
Ive had my first semester of interpreting class this past semester and we of course had to interpret a lot ... and I loved it.. i enjoyed every minute of it..
Are you a pretty good signer? if so.. try interpreting random conversations you have if you enjoy that or find it a great challenge.. then i guess you you could minor in it.. its a 2 year degree here.. i dunno if it is where you are.
But you just have to see how much dedication you have for this area of study

if you really dont see yourself doing it in the future maybe you could just take it up as a hobby

im awful at giving advice
but i always encourage anyone to at least learn asl..
because truth be told.. not everyone can be an interpreter.
Hope that helps some? if not .sorry, i tried!
 
What would be the thought of you becoming a certified asl interpreter and then being an independent contractor!!!! That is having your cake and eating it too. You can pick your hours and just socialized with the deaf community. There is always a need for someone who is willing to take a short term interpreter for something like buying a car or home.
 
eriksinanyan said:
Hey everyone,

I'm a sophomore at a community college in Los Angeles and I'm taking ASL 102 (had 101 last semester) currently and simple LOVE ASL, Deaf people, Deaf culture, etc. I have though about becoming an ASL interpreter (or any other job working with ASL and Deaf people) many times in the past.

I know CSUN has an amazing Deaf Studies program that I would LOVE to take advantage of, but how do I find out if this is for me? I'm currently a Biology/Zoology major and minoring in Anthropology. Yes, I have many interests and they're all over the place.

My main reason for dismissing the idea of becoming an ASL interpreter in the past is simply because I've lived in LA all of my life and kinda want to get out for a few years, so I was thinking about transferring somewhere else and if I transfer to CSUN, I'd be still living at home with family, and I don't want that.

Another reason was that.. I LOVE Deaf people and ASL, and although becoming an ASL interpreter will help me be around both of those, is the actual job of INTERPRETING really pleasing to me? I honestly don't know if I'd want to only interpret. It seems fun, but I realize that if it were another language, such as English, Spanish, French, Armenian, etc, I wouldn't find the job of interpreting appealing.

Please, help and give me your thoughts, please!

PS, I'm 19, not that it matters, but it may help you give me advice. Thank you so much!

PPS, if I don't go down this road, I will just continue with my major/minor right now and transfer out in a year. I will still try to be connecting to ASL and Deaf culture all the time. I'm actually going to take ASL 103 at my school next semester. Unfortunately, the school I wanna transfer to doesn't offer more than 1-2 ASL classes. It's up in Humboldt. Don't really know much about the Deaf community up there.

THANK YOU!
Click to expand...

Hello!

In my opinion you should talk to your ASL teacher about it. Deaf culture is all about being honest to help others out, so if your teacher sees that sparkle in your signing that tells her/him that you will be an interpreter they will let you know that you have it. Also if your not that close with your teacher-get close though-trust me- but if your shy then just ask her if she knows any interpreters around that you can contact to observe for the day. Once you have spent the day watching everything that an interpreter does you will not only know if you want to be one but what kind you want to be (educational or community).
ASL is an amazing language, but the code of ethics for interpreting is very tough. Becoming one is a lot of work, especially the interpreting exams (NIC/EIPA)
I'm currently working on becoming an interpreter, so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
BTW if your in state for CSUN-go for it! If it wasn't so much money I would be there in a flash! You might wanna contact an ASL teacher at CSUN and ask for their deaf events list, so you can check out the people to see how you feel there.
Hope I helped some.
:)
 
I go to Deaf events all the time and they're great.

I have talked to my teacher about it, and she's just always encouraging us to go ahead and do it, haha.

I'm a pretty good signer for the level I'm at. I've been told by Bob Hiltermann that my signing is very clear, so yay!

Hmmm, I want to minor in it, but Humboldt doesn't really have any higher level ASL classes. I might look into the community colleges up there.

And yes, I live in Los Angeles, so I'm right by CSUN.
 
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