Interpreter training

by Isabel
(Washington)

Isabel asked: I'm currently a junior this year in high school and want to be an intreperter when I graduate. I'm also bilingual and was wondering if I should go off to college and get a degree, and if so, where? Where would it be cheaper but at the same time really good?



The Spanish Translator: Thanks for the questions, Isabel. That's great that you already have a plan of what you want to do as a career after you graduate from school. I'm not an interpreter, but I know many interpreters that really love what they do and love going to work every day.

I'm glad that you are looking to further your education. As you probably know, merely being bilingual isn't enough to be a good interpreter, so it's important that you get trained specifically as an interpreter. There are a few places in the U.S. you can attend to get trained as an interpreter. Probably the best interpreter degree program in the United States is the Monterey Institute of International Studies located in California.

However, since you're in Washington, you might also want to consider some of the interpretation programs in Canada. Some of these might be more of what you're looking for after you graduate from high school.

Hope that helps, and good luck!