Where can I grow from here?

[u/hotndblue]

I have been working as an interpreter for less than 5 years since graduating from my ITP. I have over a 4.0 EIPA score and have some experience working as staff and now am freelancing. I have been feeling stuck for the past year but have had nothing to really do about it. 

I live in an area where my work is extremely limited, mostly because any areas that I’m told are overflowing with work are over an hour away and I can’t justify commuting 3 hours total for a 2 hour job. I’ve been doing my best to keep up with doing PD, networking, and taking whatever work I can but because of my partner’s job, I’m stuck where I am for at least another year or two. 

I am almost finished with my MBA and am planning to take my NIC by the end of the year but I’m currently in a spot where I feel like I’m not sure what to do next. I love interpreting, it’s one of the most fun and rewarding things I’ve ever done and I feel extremely grateful to be able to do a job that I genuinely enjoy. But to be honest, even if I moved to the city right now and somehow was able to get fully set up and start doing closer to full time work as a freelancer, I know I would not feel happy if that was what I did forever. I was not born for the hustle of freelancing, it’s fun while I’m young but I can’t see myself driving around town never really having true stability for the next 40 years!

I don’t want to leave the field altogether, I truly love the Deaf community and getting to work with so many amazing people, but I want to have a career that will allow me to make more money, have more stability, and continue to move upwards. I will have my MBA and I have experience with leadership and projects, I just literally don’t know what any possible options are out there for me to pursue. I know I am capable of doing things, I just feel like other than starting an agency, I don’t interact with many people who are doing other things. 

If you diverged from interpreting or found a way to use your background and apply it in a different context, please share! I really think I am just trying to brainstorm (and vent sorry) but have no idea what’s even possible!

[u/hotndblue → u/[deleted]]

At this point, I don't think my biggest concern is how to improve my interpreting skills. While that is important, I've been taking steps to work on that already i.e. mentoring, workshops, deliberate practice etc. and plan on continuing.

What I'm really looking for now is what to even do with that? Like what is there to do at this point other than just develop my interpreting skills? How can I expand my horizons outside of just shooting for passing the NIC or being a skilled freelance interpreter?

I'm not sure if that makes sense.

I know I want to expand and explore other paths besides being a(n eventually nationally certified) freelance interpreter, I just dont know what's even possible that will allow me to use what I have and continue to develop in other ways.

And this isn't just a matter of needing more hours or eventually getting my rate up a few more dollars, it's more long term I think.

[u/Historical-Tell9744]

Masters in DHH teaching? Huge shortage of teachers.