Shortage of interpreters?

[dereksbicycles]

I'm interested to know if there are shortage of interpreters in USA. I'm not asking about USA in general, but more like each states. I'm mostly interested in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, and Michigan area. I'm pretty open to know what it is like on other states in general and not just midwest.

What is it like out there? Is the field oversatured with future to be interpreters not being able to get interpreting jobs ? Are there spots missing because qualified interpreters cannot be found to fulfill the position(s)?

 

[Frisky Feline]

what is the purpose of your curiousity? you can research on your own through contact your local and other states agencies.

 

[dereksbicycles]

My girlfriend lives in Michigan. SHe is working hard to learn ASL. Not only that, but her best friend wants to learn ASL too. Also, her Mom and 2 sisters want to learn ASL. I was sort of thinking that my girlfriend and maybe her best friend may want to have a future in interpreting.

 

[seki900]

There appears to be a shortage of educational interpreters in the rual areas of Iowa. Part of this appears to be due to the implementation of the standards this year. I think implementing this is a good thing, how it is being implemented might be a bit harsh.

 

[Reba]

My girlfriend lives in Michigan. SHe is working hard to learn ASL. Not only that, but her best friend wants to learn ASL too. Also, her Mom and 2 sisters want to learn ASL. I was sort of thinking that my girlfriend and maybe her best friend may want to have a future in interpreting.

Is that what they told you?

Where are they taking ASL classes--at a college that also has an ITP?

 

[Reba]

Here's one of the problems with making educational interpreting a career:

If there are no deaf students, there is no work. One year there may be too many students and not enough terps. The next year, there could be too many terps and not enough students. It varies from year to year. That's an unstable job situation.

Freelance (private practice) work is also unstable.

The work is great but if you need a steady income with benefits, it doesn't always work out.

I don't have personal experience as a VRS terp but I imagine that kind of work is more steady and reliable.

Also, the more rural the area, the more likely the terp will have to spend a lot of time on the road as an itinerant terp.

There is no one answer that fits all.

 

[Mountain Man]

I don't have personal experience as a VRS terp but I imagine that kind of work is more steady and reliable.

It is, and the pay can be good if you get in with the right company (Sorenson is pretty much the cream of the crop), but it's also stressful work -- mentally, emotionally, and physically -- and the burn-out rate is fairly high.

 

[jillio]

My girlfriend lives in Michigan. SHe is working hard to learn ASL. Not only that, but her best friend wants to learn ASL too. Also, her Mom and 2 sisters want to learn ASL. I was sort of thinking that my girlfriend and maybe her best friend may want to have a future in interpreting.

Then tell them to do the research by accessing the requirements for interpreting, the education required, and the availability of jobs in that specific state. All of that can be Googled.

Keep in mind, as well, that terping requires much more than a knowledge of ASL.

 

[KarissaMann05]

I know it is a bit of off topic.

I just want to make sure. Spanish interpreters and another interpreters are more available than ASL interpreters, which is more easier to have someone for the communication. Is that right? If yes, I want some creditable sources please.

 

[Etoile]

I know that Wyoming has a drastic shortage of interpreters in ALL sectors. A friend of mine used to work out there.

 

[dereksbicycles]

Is that what they told you?

Where are they taking ASL classes--at a college that also has an ITP?

They are taking ASL classes through a local deaf club, not a college with ITP program.

They never told me that they wanted to be interpreter. My girlfriend do interpret for me sometimes in family settings and when going to restaurant or bowling. Just thought maybe if she became fluent in ASL, she would do some interpreting. Maybe not a lot of them, but some of them.

 

[Reba]

They are taking ASL classes through a local deaf club, not a college with ITP program.

They never told me that they wanted to be interpreter. My girlfriend do interpret for me sometimes in family settings and when going to restaurant or bowling. Just thought maybe if she became fluent in ASL, she would do some interpreting. Maybe not a lot of them, but some of them.

That's up to them to decide.