Congrats Grad ... Now what? (1)

An honest collection of tips gathered from our own experience, as well as some peers on how we filled the gap from graduation to the workforce. We offer practical and ethical suggestions that can be followed or amended to suit the individual, really putting the individual behind the wheel of their own success. It's a map of the gap! 

This Workshop provides ten tips for sign language interpreters who have recently graduated from an Interpreting program. The tips are designed to support novice interpreters navigate the "gap" between graduation and full-time employment as a certified interpreter.

Graduating from a sign language interpreting program is an exciting time, but it can also be a bit daunting. After all, you have now completed your formal education and are ready to start your career. However, the transition from student to professional can be difficult, and it can take some time to find your footing. This is especially true if you are in the "gap" between graduation and full-time employment.

As with many other professions, sign language interpreting is not a field where you graduate and are ready to work. For example, when you complete your education and state board exam for cosmetology, you spend many more years washing heads and apprenticing before you get your own chair in a salon. Interpreting is essentially the same. You will have to dedicate some time between graduating and working as a certified interpreter. The time in-between graduation and working is called the “gap.” The gap is a period of time between graduation and full-time employment which for interpreters can be a time of uncertainty and anxiety. However, it can also be a  time of opportunity. The gap year can be a great time to develop your skills, network, and learn more about the interpreting field. While that time in that gap is different for all of us, there are still many similar things we could do to guide us through this time. By following these tips, you can make the most of your time and set yourself up for success in your career.