I came to the profession as many of you did, if you started your interpreting career ten or more years ago. I had a 15-minute phone interview with an agency owner, and I was hired on the spot and given very few instructions. I started interpreting...
Coming Full Circle This is one of the last blogs I will write while serving as NAJIT’s Vice-Chair, so I want to write about something that I am passionate about and that is extremely relevant at a time when we are working towards better compensation and...
A few days ago, I was preparing the paperwork for the Wisconsin CEU (Continuing Education Units) Compliance form, and I realized that I do attend tons of workshops, in-person presentations, and virtual webinars. I have the privilege of being a NAJIT member, and as such,...
Before becoming a staff interpreter in 2015, I freelanced for more than seven years. During that time, I exchanged information with every single interpreter I crossed paths with during assignments or in class (once I found interpreting courses). I was desperately searching for a sense...
I used to think that to be an association volunteer you needed to be extraordinary, extremely qualified, have all sorts of accreditations, certifications, a long resume, and be known to all in the profession. However, all you need is to have the will, the time,...
Once again, we revisit our archives for articles that were well received by our long time readers. Not so much of a throw-back, but a recycling of pertinent and valuable knowledge. It also seems pertinent to the moment we are living. Use the comments area...
The dry season doldrums are cyclical, but we are usually caught off guard. And if you are one of those who romanticized being a freelancer, this can be a tough wake up call. There is no easy remedy. That’s why most of us do something on...
This article was written on June 27, 2014. Enjoy! I generally start my day with a cup of coffee. By no means am I a morning person, and there is nothing like that freshly brewed first cup to get my day started. I wouldn’t consider myself...
This article was originally posted on November 15, 2012. Some social media tools have added features, others have lost their appeal. As ephemeral as some of its elements are, social media is here to stay. Got something to add? Use the comments area below. By Gio...
By Gio Lester © 2016 A sense of belonging, feeling welcome, knowing someone is listening—those were some of the things that made our listserv unforgettable and cherished. Everyday felt like a visit with close friends to discuss the news, industry developments, terminology difficulties, new challenges… even jokes. The...