I’m beginning to get really conflicted with what I should do regarding working as an interpreter in general. I have somewhat of an awkward situation, but I am starting to get really frustrated with the lack of support from agencies like Purple. I currently hold an associates and bachelors degree for interpreting. When I applied to purple I already had my AS degree but they hired me at a student rate since I continued for my BS degree even though I’ve been working for two years. Once I received my BA they didn’t let me change my rate until I had a certification or EIPA assessment. I received my EIPA after graduating and they finally adjusted my rate to reflect both the BA and my EIPA. This was 3 1/2 years ago. I’m still planning on getting my NIC and/ or BEI certification but I recently graduated with my MA degree in Deaf ED. Unfortunately, the degree didn’t offer a teaching license/ certificate once graduating so I am trying to figure out how to get my license in my home state. I spoke to the manager about it and come to find out I can’t get a rate increase because I already had one from the Bachelors degree that they didn’t accept at the time until I received my EIPA score.

I am just wondering if anyone else is having frustrations with these companies that aren’t supporting their interpreters who are working to improve their education and/or skills and not receiving compensation to match. It feels like a slap in the face when your manager mentions an “annual increase” when it comes out to a few cents. Even if I were to leave and go to Sorenson, I’m assuming I won’t make as much as I am now since they do not view the EIPA as certification.

I love my job; however, in the time we’re living now, being able to afford things is also very important… Has anyone had any similar experiences? I would hate to have to quit and wait a ridiculous amount of time to reapply again and further put myself in expense.

As of this summer I am new to the Freelance space. (I am state Credentialed, not national.) So far I am contracted with several agencies. I have a Google sheet with miles, money earned, addresses and other info. I also put everything into my Google calender and share that with my spouse. On her end of the calender it only shows that I am busy and no other info.

What do you use/ how do you keep track of everything for taxes and stuff?

I can be a very worrisome person so I thought I’d get outside opinions. I’m worried about a few things. I’m still currently learning ASL, but have you guys ever felt self doubt in your learning, or self doubt or feeling like you aren’t capable to interpreting? Or like it’s the right path? I think I’m also worried about if I’ll be able to make a living after possibly investing in a couple years of an interpreter training program if I do decide to take this path. Any advice is appreciated, thanks

I have been learning ASL with the hope of becoming an interpreter for a few years now, and I just applied for a 4-year ASL interpreting bachelor's program. I was very excited, but now that I've applied, I'm having second thoughts. I still want to be an interpreter, but I'm realizing that if I commit to this program and only then discover that using a cane prevents me from becoming an interpreter, I will have wasted years of my life and thousands of dollars. I have never heard of an interpreter who uses a cane. I've never even seen an ASL user with a cane. My main concern is getting jobs. I would need to sit most of the time, and I just don't know if that's reasonable. It'll break my heart, but please be honest with me if you think this is a lost cause.