Imagine this: You’re at a bustling international airport, and you see two strangers from different parts of the world trying to communicate. They’re struggling, gesturing wildly, maybe even using the age-old tactic of speaking louder (because that’ll help, right?). But then, someone steps in, gracefully weaving between the two languages, turning frustrated grimaces into smiles of understanding. That someone could be you. Interpreting isn’t just about knowing two languages. It’s about connecting worlds, breaking barriers, and making the globe a little smaller and a lot friendlier. It’s a career that offers a front-row seat to the power of communication, and gives you the joy of being the bridge between diverse cultures and people.
At Hands Up Communications we’ve continually seen the impact interpreters can have on the lives of those they serve, and we encourage those who are interested to pursue the career with a passion. If you’re thinking about becoming an interpreter, the answers to a few commonly asked questions will help you get started. How much does an interpreter get paid? If you’ve ever tried to multitask between, say, cooking and watching a show, you’ll realize you often miss out on details from either task. Now imagine juggling two languages in real-time, ensuring not a single nuance or emotion is lost. It’s mental gymnastics at its peak! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for translators and interpreters is about $61,730 annually. Which often surprises many. There is an idea out there that interpreting is just a “cute” profession or a voluntary service. But it’s not. It’s a full-fledged career, offering not only monetary rewards but intrinsic satisfaction too. Interpreters earn a good, solid income, making it not just a sustainable profession but one where, at the end of most days, you head home with a full heart. Plus the beauty of interpreting doesn’t stop at the paycheck. Relationships are a huge part of the job. Interpreters don’t just “work” with you; they build connections, and these relationships often move beyond professional boundaries. I can personally attest to this. One of my dear friends, an interpreter, was the person I asked to interpret for me on my wedding day. Those bonds are golden. I not only wanted him there for his services, but also because we had grown close and I wanted him to be a part of that special day in my life. Do interpreters need a license? Licensing is required for interpreters. It validates that an individual is qualified to offer interpreting services in a particular state and acts as an official endorsement, marking you as a recognized professional in your state. Each state has its own set of procedures and requirements. What’s accepted in one state might not be accepted in another. It’s crucial to be aware of the regulations of each state you wish to practice in. For those interpreters looking towards remote services across different states, you’ll likely need multiple licenses for each state before you can legally interpret. Now, beyond licensing, there’s certification. A license confirms your legal standing to practice, but a certification is an affirmation of your skills and knowledge. It’s an acknowledgment that you’re not just allowed to do the work, but you’re genuinely competent at it. To get your certification is different for each state, but generally you’ll need to prove that you have significant hours of professional interpreter training. Look up the requirements for your state and where to certify for more information. What education is required? One of the first things aspiring interpreters often ask is about the education required. Here’s the scoop: while having a degree is undeniably beneficial, it isn’t an absolute necessity. Even without a formal degree, if you’ve accumulated the right education or have experience equivalent to that level of education (maybe you have a deaf individual in your house), you’re eligible to apply for licenses and certifications. This is crucial because, in the interpreting world, practical knowledge and hands-on experience are as valuable as classroom learning. The classroom can teach you the signs, but real world hands-on experience teaches you the expressions and the nuances of the language. As a general guideline, you should aim to have at least 120 credit hours under your belt. This can be a combination of workshops, college classes, or specialized interpreting courses. Essentially, these credits should equate to what you would gain from a bachelor’s degree. If you’re looking for reputable institutions to kickstart or advance your interpreting education, here are some top-notch places to consider: Gallaudet University: Known for its programs tailored for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, Gallaudet also offers stellar courses in interpreting. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) – National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID): A leading institution offering specialized programs in sign language interpretation. University of North Florida: Their program in English/ASL interpretation is both comprehensive and highly regarded. Western Oregon University: Home to the Regional Resource Center on Deafness, this university offers excellent programs in interpreting.
Interpreting Training Programs at Community Colleges:
Many community colleges across the U.S. offer robust interpreting programs, providing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Is there high demand for interpreters? When we talk about the demand for interpreters, the numbers speak louder than words. Did you know there’s a ratio of 50 deaf individuals for every single interpreter across the U.S.? That’s a staggering 50:1 ratio. Which leaves a lot of deaf individuals without an interpreter. Some of these interpreters serve students full times, while others cater to professionals. And both groups, as you might expect, require interpreters round the clock. To put it bluntly, there’s a shortage of interpreters. A large one. The demand is so high that once you’re certified, you’re likely to be in high demand instantly. Let’s draw up a few examples for perspective: Iowa: The state has only about 75 interpreters. Sounds like a decent number, right? Until you realize there are close to 3,000 deaf individuals in the state. That’s a sizable mismatch. Florida: At a glance, 600 certified interpreters might seem like a robust workforce. However, when you look at this figure against a deaf and hard-of-hearing population of 20,000, the gap becomes evident. Further complicating this scenario are the video relay companies. These firms, owing to the surge in FCC video relay demands, have become massive employers, operating extensive call centers, and they often draw away many qualified interpreters from local and state communities, absorbing them into a high-paced, full-time environment. As a result, the local and state-level need becomes even more pronounced. In Conclusion The pressing demand for interpreting showcases the profession’s viability and its profound impact on bridging communication gaps. If you’re contemplating a path where your skills can create real, tangible differences in people’s lives, then interpreting might just be the avenue for you.
If you’d like to apply for an interpreting position at Hands Up Communications, check out our hiring page here!Skip to content