Path to Practice


Goal:

The goal of this opportunity within Options: An Interpreting Cooperative is to foster the growth of novice interpreters by creating the opportunity to work with a collective and diverse group of professional interpreters.  This is an opportunity to bridge the gap between program to practice.

Expectations:

Expectations from Options members – to engage in the developmental milestones of such apprentice/mentee. Examples include: inviting individual to Options meetings, creating space for topic driven professional dialogue, extend invitations to observe the work, share information about the local deaf and interpreter community, meet with the individual when requested to discuss work related quandaries, share leads on paid work opportunities given the right conditions.

Expectations from participant – to support the philosophies of practice within the cooperative (mission, standards, priorities – see Options website), engage with each member of the cooperative, attend meetings when invited, seek opportunities to observe work, seek opportunities to talk about the work, engage with the local Deaf and interpreter community.

What is required from participant:

  • Educational: Successful completion of the educational requirements set forth by RID to sit for a certification exam (alternate pathways included).
  • RID Exam requirement: Have passed the RID written portion of the certification exam or have commitment to the RID written certification exam within 3 months of working with Path to Practice.
  • Language: Competence in ASL and English.
  • Commitment: 12 months.

Submission of interest:

All interested participants must send an email to ask@optionsinterpreting.com with the following:

  • Video submission of themselves, in ASL, outlining why they are interested in Path to Practice and what they hope to benefit from this experience.  This video should be posted online and sent to Options as a link within the email.
  • Attach a current resume in a PDF format.
  • Include the best contact information.

All submissions will be acknowledged within 24 hours.  After which point a member of Options will contact the participant with further information.

FAQ’s:

As a participant in Path to Practice, are there work opportunities via Options?

Paid work opportunities are available as they arise, and if appropriate will be referred to the participant. This includes pro bono and teamed interpreting work.  We make no guarantee of paid work opportunities.

How is Path to Practice different than internship/practicum?

Internships are via a formal interpreter preparation program and has specific requirements for hours of observation, actual interpreting work and in most cases expects a written report from the supervising interpreter with no paid work opportunities.

I am currently a working interpreter seeking mentorship, is Path to Practice right for me?

If you are unsure if Path to Practice is right for you, please contact Options via email at ask@optionsinterpreting.com.  We can work with you to see what type of collegial support would be the best fit for you and Options.

Does Path to Practice lead to permanent Options membership?

After Path to Practice is completed the individual can submit a formal request for Options membership consideration.  Contact an Options member for further details as to what this entails.

Are there a limited number of participants per year?

Yes, at this time we are engaging with one participant per year.

Options Mission


Options standards:

  1. Clear and fair practices for all individuals who are a party to our services.
  2. Vetted, competent and accountable interpreters are working each and every assignment.
  3. Working within the frame of upholding the linguistic and human rights of the individuals we serve.
  4. Fostering and nurturing the development of interpreters by ways of education and mentorship.

Options priorities:

  1. Raise the bar on interpreting standards and expectations of customer service.
  2. Shift the paradigm of procurement of interpreter services.
  3. Being available and accessible to the communities we serve.

All Options: An Interpreting Cooperative practitioners;

  • Are RID certified or RID certification ready (i.e. passed the RID written examination and are committed to taking the RID performance evaluation)
  • Engages in regular professional dialogue and has an ethical support community.
  • Supports the Deaf community by ways of giving back such as pro bono work, community engagement and involvement, volunteerism, and activism.
  • Maintains and exceeds national expectations of professional development and growth.
  • Upholds the linguistic rights of the Deaf community by practicing within a rights based frame of ethical decision making.
  • Advocates for the direct procurement of optimal and culturally competent interpreting services.

Interested in investing and becoming a part of Options?

Contact us!