As I have had the opportunity to work with aspiring interpreters as they learn and grow into emerging professional interpreters, I have gleaned a few things from them along the way. As much as we may have a bad impression of "recent graduates" who have not gone through all of the traditional passages we deem necessary of becoming a professional, we have much to learn from their experience as well.
Being such a young profession, we have gone through various stages of educating interpreters as we have learned more and more about this great and wonderful profession of interpreting. Many of us have had to learn via the "school of hard knocks" and have developed from the community, which is great! Sometimes we need to take a look at what other paths have to offer as well, here are just a few of the things I've seen in our students/recent grads that I think I can learn from -
- Because we know more about what we do - thanks to researchers and practitioners who have mindfully considered the task and shared their knowledge - they are better equipped for the real world of interpreting having had the opportunity to study the theory behind interpreting, they have a better sense of what they are getting into as professionals.
- Because we know more they are better equipped upon entry into the field, ready for certification, and ready for work with a shortened time "on the job training" required.
- They are far less isolated in their practice and they are exiting their programs prepared to seek supervision around work that does happen in isolation. They are more prepared to consider the impact of their professional decision without as much trial and error (thanks to the trial and error of their predecessors)
So, as much as they still have to learn from the seasoned professionals in the field, I look forward to all I have to learn from them as they share with me their fresh perspective on this amazing profession!
What have you learned from your colleagues both more experienced and more inexperienced?!
