Grad degree

Comment

Comment by Anthony Nelson on October 4, 2009 at 4:56pm

Through my studies I am finding a lot of what I am learning applies to the management and mentoring of interpreters. I think it is a great program, it is on line and it fits well into my schedule. I am attending Gonzaga University (www.gonzagaonline.net) If you have any more questions I will be happy to answer them for you.

Comment by Sumcarterp on September 29, 2009 at 8:47pm

Thanks for the responses so far.

Anthony: I do not see myself leaving the interpreting field any time soon, but besides interpretig I am also a business owner and mentor. I would like to expand my leadership and managerial skills as the business owner, improve my skills as a mentor and interpreter, and complete a Masters degree for my own feeling of accomplishment.

I am open to degrees outside of interpreting, like organizational leadership, if it's in a field that I can apply the knowledge to interpreting. For example, an interpreter I know is studying Training and Adult Learning... perfect for mentoring/conducting workshops. I would love to hear what others are studying and how the topic can be applied to our field.

Comment by Anthony Nelson on September 27, 2009 at 5:24pm

I am aware of the Masters of Interpreting from Gallaudet University, it is a degree which from my understanding will improve your skill via self analysis and process. This is a degree I feel you could follow for either purposes of management, mentoring or self interpreting improvement but I have only heard this through conversation. I am going through my Master program, Organizational Leadership, right now and though it is not related to 'interpreting' the skills I am learning are geared toward making me a better educator and mentor with those I work with as well as offering management and leadership skills. I love interpreting and do not want to leave but I want to also be able to do more than just put my hands in the air. I think it is important to ask what do you want? Do you see yourself interpreting till you retire and then do part time interpreting? The other question would be what do you want to get from your Masters?

Comment by Laura B. Miller on September 25, 2009 at 1:31pm

Check out the University of Northern Colorado, Distance Opportunities. Contact Susan Brown, at susan.brown@unco.edu
she can provide you with more information.

Comment by ASL4U on September 23, 2009 at 6:45am

I have an opinion... which is more the result of an observation. Graduate degrees do not improve the quality of work done - in any field. The degree simply allows the person to consider themselves, and to be considered by others as being more "qualified." The purpose, is more of one seeking employment as manager, rather than function performer.
So most people who get higher degrees - shortly move out of actually doing the job - and into either managing those who do the work, or teaching others to do the work... It is assumed that they can do the work, because they carry the degree. This is not always a safe nor accurate assumption.
The push toward ever higher degrees in interpreting, is not going to improve the quality of interpreters, its going to increase the number of people "prepared" to teach interpreters, or "qualified " to manage them. It is also going to prepare people to be direct providers, who do not need to use an interpreter at all. Which is ideal - but does not help the fact that there are not enough interpreters to support the providers who cannot deliver services directly - just as there are not enough bilingual service providers to deliver the amount of services needed.
My recommendation is, if you intend to get a higher degree and you have less interest in teaching and managing, then get a degree in a segue field that will offer you other professional options outside of, or along side interpreting. (something that pasy well might be nice - smile). Specialize in something that needs qualified interpreters (but understand, that you are becoming qualified to Do the work directly without the need to use an interpreter, and if you are qualified, why would you choose to work as an interpreter in that field, knowing that interpreting is, in every case, less effective than direct service provision.
Good luck with whatever you choose.