Interpreting at Gallaudet?

[Jeff_Andum]

I am curious if anyone had any experience as a staff interpreter at Gallaudet? It looks like staff interpreters have very good benefits, tuition assistance, pro development, etc. It seems like the pay is good also? I notice they are always looking for people. Is it because there are so many students....or is it because VERY FEW interpreters want to work there? I heard from some people while the benefits/pay are good, many interpreters prefer freelance agencies because the students are very hostile towards the interpreters? Is the pay/benefits better freelance? Are the Deaf students coming from isolated mainstream schools to a Deaf University that much resentful towards hearing people in their new independent world? I don't know of this first hand, so I thought I would ask people who might have some experience first hand. Also, since there is tuition assistance....is it possible to work as staff interpreter at Gally....and still have time to take the MA Interpreting program? With the rising costs of tuition there....it seems that would be ideal if it is possible. Thanks for any insights.

 

[Etoile]

Yes, it is possible to be a staff terp and take the MAI program. They will work with you to fit it in around your schedule. There are no benefits for freelance terps. The reason they are always looking for staff is because there are more jobs to fill than there are terps...there are always jobs going unfilled because there simply aren't enough terps to fill them. I have never known anyone to be hostile toward skilled interpreters; there are a few terps who are not so great and the students gossip about them but nobody is hostile. Not everybody wants to work for Gallaudet; although there is a lot of variety, many jobs are education-related at least. Most jobs are on campus or in downtown DC, so terps in the suburbs may not want to work for Gallaudet.

My knowledge comes from being a student at Gallaudet as well as a freelance interpreter for GIS. I can try to answer other questions if you have them provided it doesn't violate ethics.