Springboard supports the next generation of interpreters through mentoring, workshops, homework tailored to the goals of each participant, and experience working as an interpreter. We want to help those who are motivated to work become comfortable with freelance interpreting, get to know their boundaries, and learn how to work with referral staff to get everything they need!

• Novice Interpreters (Induction/Onboarding)

The Springboard Program runs yearly in the fall because that is our busiest time for interpreting requests and we aren't typically working with as many student interns at the time. The application is sent out sometime in the month of June or July, and applicants usually have about a month to six weeks to complete their application. We choose 5-6 participants for the program based on skills, availability, and ambition of the applicants.

The program runs from the end of August until mid-December, dates vary each year. We chose the beginning of the last week in August so Springboard participants are onboarded around the time the school semester starts and finish by the time the school semester ends.

• In person/onsite
• Remote

This program is only offered to non-certified interpreters in the Twin Cities/metro area of Minnesota (MN).

We try to pair our novice interpreters with work that's within their range of expertise, so it varies for each participant. If the novice interpreter has open availability, they are usually able to pick up consistent work throughout the program in K-12, college, business, employment, religious and/or recovery settings.

One of our staff interpreters is responsible for reviewing application materials in choosing participants for the program, so they start with a good idea of each participant's strengths and areas for improvement. They use that information to tailor homework assignments for the group of interpreters to complete throughout the program. Homework assignments are due monthly, and they involve the participant recording cold interpretation of stimuli on GoReact. The staff interpreter will then review homework videos and give each participant specific feedback, sometimes asking them to re-record the stimulus and incorporate the feedback. The staff interpreter is also available for case consultations or questions throughout the program, as are all the staff interpreters with our agency (there are currently 8 throughout the state of MN). If the Springboard participant is teaming with a certified interpreter at a freelance, job, they can also debrief with the freelance interpreter to get their perspective. We usually host 5 workshops throughout the semester specifically geared towards non-certified interpreters, and the presenters for those workshops are available for questions/case consultations also. Topics for those workshops are: Freelance 101, Educational Interpreting: K-12 and College, Interpreter Certification, AA/Recovery Interpreting, and Interpreting in Church Settings.