How to become an interpreter
There is no one road on how to become an interpreter. First of all, there are many different types of interpreters, such as conference interpreters, court interpreters, telephone interpreters, etc. However, no matter what type of interpreter you are interested in becoming, there are steps you can take to better your chances of becoming an interpreter.
Agencies that hire interpreters are interested in hiring people that either have interpretation experience, an interpretation degree, or both. With that in mind, the best things that you could do to become an interpreter is to gain experience and/or get an interpretation degree.
Interpretation Degree
Going to school to get a degree in interpretation can be very helpful for becoming an interpreter. There are many advantages to getting an interpretation degree. Taking courses in interpretation give you an opportunity to learn some of the techniques that interpreters use to become better. Additionally, you will have more contact with people (professors and other professionals) who can provide more opportunities for work in the interpretation field.
Getting Experience
Maybe even more important than an interpretation degree is interpreting experience. Nobody is going to hire someone that doesn't have any experience interpreting so the question is how does someone go about getting that experience? Well, like most things, the trick is to start off small. Look for opportunities at your local universities for example. Many times they host conferences and forums with foreign dignitaries or others that might be in need of interpretation. Sometimes these conferences use foreign language students as interpreters and don't necessarily pay them, but it is experience nonetheless.
Another option is to look for volunteer opportunities in your community. One of the best places is your community hospital. Hospitals are in continual need for interpreters and volunteering won't take up a lot of your time. This experience could be what gives you an edge when applying for those interpreter jobs.
In addition to the above suggestions, it is important to remember that for some types of interpretation, there are specific steps that must be taken in order to become an interpreter. Court interpretation is a good example of this type. Federal court interpreters, for example, have to pass two different tests (a process that takes at least two years).
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