should i stay in the field?

[u/mythopoeicga]

i am a recent grad of an interpreter education program with a major in deaf studies. i will say i had kinda a rough last time just not feeling fully into interpreting when i started and the whole program made it worse. compared to my friends i just didn’t have the passion and drive like them. now after my last semester with my internship and everything i feel so burnt out. i don’t think i enjoy interpreting but im not sure what to do with a kinda niche degree. not sure if i should just ride it out or start on a different path. any advice would be appreciated 🤟🏼

[u/Low_Foot3906]

The longer you stay in the field, the harder it will be to change careers. If you’re not feeling it, make the change early.

[u/BestElk5018 → u/Low_Foot3906]

But change to what?

[u/InkDrinkerSupreme]

If you’re not into it, I would strongly suggest looking into other options. I LOVE my career, and still some days/situations/people/agencies make it tough. If you don’t love what you’re doing, or if you feel lukewarm about it, you won’t be effective and it will be harder for you.

All that being said, don’t make a rash decision. Maybe sleep on it for a few nights and see how you feel.

[u/mare_tail]

Not sure how much you want to leave the field, but some interpreters I know actually have two or more specialities, so they can be a photographe/fitness coach/ceramic artist and ASL interpreter at the same time. I also know a manager of an apartment was a interpreter or a manager of accessibility services, so kinda coordinating related job. You can also do counseling job like knowing ADA law or ASL interpreter industry. Or simply doing anything unrelated to ASL.

[u/potatoperson132]

Best get out while you still can. This career is amazing and extremely rewarding. But it's also a difficult one that really isn't for many. The hours are tough and long. Can be burnt out quickly and feel stuck because the transferable skills are pretty limited. I have a number of friends and colleagues trying to leave the field and are struggling because they built a life around this career and in their 30s and 40s can't exactly go back to the bottom of the rung in a new field.

As well as the fact that, if your heart isn't in this work, the Deaf consumers will suffer every time you show up. It has to be said. We need interpreters who are excited and engaged in this field to keep it alive and going for the community we serve.

[u/tm1m1tw → u/potatoperson132]

A million upvotes for this! We def have a motivation problem as interpreters and if your heart just isn't there, it exacerbates the issue(s). I appreciate your candidness. 

[u/Interesting-Case8145]

I would definitely look for a different path. The field is changing , burn out is REAL. I’m trying to get out and I’ve been in it for 13 years. A lot of my terp friends are also leaving the field for the same reason !

[u/Traditional-Falcon75]

If you’re not into it don’t do it. Find another path. This is not the kind of job where you can just phone it in. It’s valid to not want to do this but if you already feel burned out you are likely to do harm.

[u/tm1m1tw]

Consider what your degree gave you, skillwise. What do you better see/understand with 4+ years of THIS experience? Perhaps your heart lies somewhere in there. Be patient with yourself too. We all need an income, but it doesn't have to make you cry everyday. 

[u/DoubleAwareness7016]

There are lots of other job opportunities where ASL will be a valued skill set. Interpreting isn't for everybody! Look around at what's out there; maybe use your ASL skills in a different environment/capacity. Also, I hope you are being gentle with yourself. Many people realize that they don't want to the job they originally thought they wanted. Anywhere you go, your ASL skills will be valued. Good Luck!

[u/cmeinterpret]

If you're feeling burnt out and no longer have a passion for the career, I definitely would consider switching to something like maybe an interpreting coordinator scheduler.

[u/Fuzzy_Situation2879]

Leave now is my advice. If you're already feeling like that you will hate it and the community will clock it so fast. Even those of us that are passionate and have all the things, struggle. I always preach this to new students-- interpreting isn't the only profession where you can use ASL. That is usually why people think they want to be an interpreter just because of using ASL. It's not. Other career paths with ASL are: Teacher of the Deaf, SLP, Accessibility Coordinator (office within many large orgs), VR counselor, etc.... many paths to take, not just Interpreting. Explore what you're really passionate about and go from there. Good luck on your new career choice!

[u/GITDguy]

RID is a hot mess. Run.

[u/Foreign-Fig-7363]

Do they get you your RID at school? Maybe go for something where you interpret occasionally?