Stepping Stones for Novice Interpreters
  • Are you just starting out as a professional interpreter?
  • Do you need strategies and resources to establish your own business?
  • Are you considering the options of working freelance, contracting, or becoming an employee?

Check out this free course to introduce you to:

Business Practices for Novice Interpreters

Description

Business Practices for Novice Interpreters offers an introduction to strategies and skills necessary for success in the field of interpreting. Designed specifically for novice interpreters, this 10-hour asynchronous course can provide practical knowledge and tools to navigate the business side of interpreting. Through a combination of instructional modules, case studies, and practical exercises, participants will gain insights into record-keeping, setting rates, professional identity, liability, professional development, and fostering strong networks within both the professional and Deaf communities.

Learning Objectives

Participants completing this course will:

  • Differentiate between employment statuses and implications for interpreters (e.g. independent contractor, employee, etc).
  • Develop record-keeping techniques essential for maintaining business finances and filing taxes.
  • Identify effective policies and contracts to protect interests of involved parties and maintain relationships.
  • Determine competitive rates aligned with industry standards and personal qualifications.
  • Increase self-awareness about practices and resources that will support efforts to:
    • Cultivate a professional brand identity and strategic marketing approaches to enhance visibility.
    • Build robust networks with fellow interpreters, stakeholders, and members of the Deaf community to foster collaboration and professional growth.
    • Implement ongoing professional development strategies to stay abreast of industry advancements and to continue developing interpreting skills.
    • Navigate challenging situations and conflicts with professionalism and integrity.
    • Enhance overall professionalism and contribute to the advancement of the interpreting profession through adherence to high standards and continuous self-improvement.
    • Develop strategies for self-care and stress management to maintain personal well-being and sustainability in the interpreting profession.

A Note on CEUs

Because our grant is focused on novice interpreters working toward certification, CEUs are not offered. Interpreters interested in CEUs can initiate a PINRA with an RID approved sponsor.

For a PINRA application, you need the following information:

  • CEUs to request:  1.0 CEUs in Professional Studies
  • Workshop Flyer, Description and Agenda: Available as Google Doc. You can download this page to include with your PINRA application.
  • Documentation of Learning:  This course will take at least 10 hours to complete and you will receive a certificate of completion at the end that you can share with your sponsor.  Additionally, if your sponsor requires reflections on what you have learned, you can copy your reflections from the course to share with them.
  •  Dates of Activity:  You can choose to start the activity any time before June 30, 2024.  When you complete it is up to you, but there will not be any facilitation after July 15, 2024.

Register now.

Registration June 5 – 30.

The registration form will provide you a link to enroll in a free Canvas course.  It will also ask for optional demographic information which will be helpful for the CATIE Center in evaluating the effectiveness of these resources for supporting the diversity of novice interpreters who are entering the interpreting field.

About Stepping Stones for Novice Interpreters

This course is part of a series developed by the Dive In project of the CATIE Center at St. Catherine University. Each module will have a facilitator from the CATIE Center who monitors a Support Forum.  The activities are designed so that you can do them asynchronously. Though possible to do independently, we encourage you to either join as a group and work through the material together – or use the introduction forum to seek out others in the course who might work with you in the discussions. Collaborative learning can be a really important tool in professional development.