One of my favorite part of the conferences and workshops is the conversations that you can have with other interpreters. Tonight's dialogues have run the gamut from pros/cons of freelancing/ staff positions; D.C. interpreting licensing laws (a hot topic which is currently being discussed); the dynamics of and misconceptions about hearing-Deaf interpreting teams; the gap between ITP training, real world experience, and obtaining certification; and the 10,000 hour rule, from Malcom Gladwell's Outliers: Story of Success (the 10,00 hour rule which is referred to in this blog is definitely another topic of another day).
While these spontaneous discussions concluded my day (well maybe dinner conversations were not quite so spontaneous), the rest of the day was fantastic as well. It is hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of the conference. In addition the the business meeting, I had the opportunity to attend two workshops- theater tech for interpreters and back translation (and this is where I get to brag about my friend, Jennifer Cranston who presented her back translation workshop for the first time and did an amazing job. She will also be presenting for VRID District I this spring. Stay tuned for more information!). We had a great day and I am working with a great team- both the conference committee and support staff. Tomorrow will be another full (and great) day!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
PCRID Conference: Day 1
It has been a long, but great first day at the PCRID conference. As always, there were a a few minor hiccups, but this continues to be a fantastic learning experience. I have enjoyed seeing friends and colleagues as well as meeting new people.
The highlight of my day was having the privilege of introducing Dennis Cokely at his workshop. Dr. Cokely presented a six hour workshop entitled, "Cars, Dogs, and Cows: Culturally Rich Realities," during which we examined what defines our schema and our we can co-construct a shared schema with those around us. Function is what defines the "car-ness,""dog-ness," and "cow-ness" in our lives. As interpreters, we must evaluate how explict and implict meaning will affect our work.
This day has been a blur and I am sure the weekend will go by just as quickly. On that note, I am off to bed since morning will come all too soon.
The highlight of my day was having the privilege of introducing Dennis Cokely at his workshop. Dr. Cokely presented a six hour workshop entitled, "Cars, Dogs, and Cows: Culturally Rich Realities," during which we examined what defines our schema and our we can co-construct a shared schema with those around us. Function is what defines the "car-ness,""dog-ness," and "cow-ness" in our lives. As interpreters, we must evaluate how explict and implict meaning will affect our work.
This day has been a blur and I am sure the weekend will go by just as quickly. On that note, I am off to bed since morning will come all too soon.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Get out there, get involved, & pay it forward!
Yet another month has been a blur! I have yet to figure out where the time has gone or why it is flying by so fast. Life continues to be insanely busy, especially as I gear up for the annual PCRID conference this weekend which brings up a good point...
Why do people go to conferences? And why would someone want to volunteer at a conference?
(Before I continue, I would like to state that in my defense I did start a blog posting two weeks ago, but it remains a work in progress. Stay tuned for my post on receptive interpreting.)
Besides the obvious answer that an interpreter is required to earn CEUs to maintain certification (and the Code of Professional Conduct requires us to engage in professional development).
Oh yeah, the cost of the conference, hotel, food, etc. is tax deductible.
Personally, I am a huge advocate of professional development and interpreters need to be life long learners, however conferences and workshops also provide a wonderful opportunity to expand one's network and engage in professional dialogue. Particularly as a freelance interpreter, networking has proven invaluable as many of the interpreters I meet at these events are my potential co-interpreter on assignments. By volunteering and attending national and regional conferences, my professional network is expanded even further. I truly enjoy keeping up with my interpreter friends on Facebook and seeing their names on the "Newly Certified" list in the VIEWS.
As I prepared to graduate from my ITP, I applied to join the support staff for the upcoming RID conference. It was a phenomenal experience and gave me a unique opportunity to learn and dive into the interpreting field. In hindsight, I wish I had been encouraged to become involved with RID sooner because I wasn't aware that such experiences were out there. Now, I encourage the ITP students I know to apply for conference support staff. The following year, I applied for support staff for the Region II conference (although I had already graduated, I was accepted because I had worked the previous year). I will admit that part of the reason I applied for the national and regional conferences' support staff was financial- however the national conference was also fun and I wanted to duplicate that experience. As a student and novice interpreter, I felt that so many people had already given me so much and I wanted a way to give back. I truly believe in the concept of "pay it forward" and you do not have to wait until you have ten years of experience and certification. I still do not feel that I have the skill or experience required to mentor someone, however I can still give back to the profession in other ways.
Due to my previous conference experience, the PCRID conference chair approached me and asked me to be the Support Staff Coordinator for the 2010 conference. Once again, it has proven to be a tremendous learning experience and has expanded my horizons further- and the conference hasn't even happened yet! Working at conferences and now being part of the planning process has given me a deeper appreciation for all the people and work that are required to make these events happen- for my benefit!
Like most interpreters I know, I am wired to stay busy. Becoming District I Representative for VRID was another commitment that I added to my plate this year, however I am truly enjoying my new responsibilities and challenges. I am immensely looking forward to the events that are in the works for the next calendar year.
Contrary to many people I know, I am a Type B personality, although I have come to realize that being in this profession and geographic region has brought out some Type A characteristics and my inner over-achiever. I may have a long way to go in the field, but I have done a lot in the past few years. More importantly, I have met a lot of great people and learned from them along the way. Now, I need to continue "paying it forward..."
If you are an ITP/IPP student, I highly recommend applying for Support Staff for the RID National Conference. Also, keep your eyes and ears open for the Call for Support Staff for state and regional conferences.
Why do people go to conferences? And why would someone want to volunteer at a conference?
(Before I continue, I would like to state that in my defense I did start a blog posting two weeks ago, but it remains a work in progress. Stay tuned for my post on receptive interpreting.)
Besides the obvious answer that an interpreter is required to earn CEUs to maintain certification (and the Code of Professional Conduct requires us to engage in professional development).
Oh yeah, the cost of the conference, hotel, food, etc. is tax deductible.
Personally, I am a huge advocate of professional development and interpreters need to be life long learners, however conferences and workshops also provide a wonderful opportunity to expand one's network and engage in professional dialogue. Particularly as a freelance interpreter, networking has proven invaluable as many of the interpreters I meet at these events are my potential co-interpreter on assignments. By volunteering and attending national and regional conferences, my professional network is expanded even further. I truly enjoy keeping up with my interpreter friends on Facebook and seeing their names on the "Newly Certified" list in the VIEWS.
As I prepared to graduate from my ITP, I applied to join the support staff for the upcoming RID conference. It was a phenomenal experience and gave me a unique opportunity to learn and dive into the interpreting field. In hindsight, I wish I had been encouraged to become involved with RID sooner because I wasn't aware that such experiences were out there. Now, I encourage the ITP students I know to apply for conference support staff. The following year, I applied for support staff for the Region II conference (although I had already graduated, I was accepted because I had worked the previous year). I will admit that part of the reason I applied for the national and regional conferences' support staff was financial- however the national conference was also fun and I wanted to duplicate that experience. As a student and novice interpreter, I felt that so many people had already given me so much and I wanted a way to give back. I truly believe in the concept of "pay it forward" and you do not have to wait until you have ten years of experience and certification. I still do not feel that I have the skill or experience required to mentor someone, however I can still give back to the profession in other ways.
Due to my previous conference experience, the PCRID conference chair approached me and asked me to be the Support Staff Coordinator for the 2010 conference. Once again, it has proven to be a tremendous learning experience and has expanded my horizons further- and the conference hasn't even happened yet! Working at conferences and now being part of the planning process has given me a deeper appreciation for all the people and work that are required to make these events happen- for my benefit!
Like most interpreters I know, I am wired to stay busy. Becoming District I Representative for VRID was another commitment that I added to my plate this year, however I am truly enjoying my new responsibilities and challenges. I am immensely looking forward to the events that are in the works for the next calendar year.
Contrary to many people I know, I am a Type B personality, although I have come to realize that being in this profession and geographic region has brought out some Type A characteristics and my inner over-achiever. I may have a long way to go in the field, but I have done a lot in the past few years. More importantly, I have met a lot of great people and learned from them along the way. Now, I need to continue "paying it forward..."
If you are an ITP/IPP student, I highly recommend applying for Support Staff for the RID National Conference. Also, keep your eyes and ears open for the Call for Support Staff for state and regional conferences.
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