I have a B.A. in Political Science as well as a minor in Theatre.  My studies in these fields have equipped me with strong critical thinking, communication, and performance skills.  All of these are useful tools for my development as an interpreter.  My Political Science background improved my understanding of power dynamics, ethical decision making, and advocacy, which help me to have more cultural sensitivity and an understanding of how I may support the Deaf community within the interpreting profession, as well as outside of work.  My theatre training helped me develop physical skills, like nonverbal expression and presence, which help me with my ASL proficiency.  All together, I am an effective communicator as well as a more empathetic professional.  I am aware of how my work as an interpreter affects the Deaf and hearing clients as well as other interpreters.  I believe I can bring insight and enthusiasm to this internship while continuing to learn and grow as an interpreter.

I want to become an ASL interpreter because I have seen how it improves lives personally.  I went to junior highshool with a Deaf girl who was mainstreamed who had an interpreter who went with her to all her classes.  I was a year older than her, but I was able to observe the interpreter at assemblies and different school events.  Seeing the dynamic between the student and her interpreter influenced me to want to work harder to learn ASL.  I had already been to a few ASL classes growing up, but I took many classes from the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as well as community classes from Highland High and the Salt Lake Arts Academy.  When I got into college at the University of Utah, I took all of the ASL classes that they provide.  During my time at the U, I realized that I wanted to pursue interpreting, but did not quite know how to do that while studying political science because they do not have an interpreting or Deaf Studies program.  I decided that after I graduated, I would transfer and join the ASL/English Interpreting program at SLCC.

During this internship, I am eager to gain hands-up experience interpreting in a real-world setting.  I want to build upon what I have learned in class as a way to strengthen my skills and knowledge of ASL and the Deaf Community.  I am hoping that by working alongside skilled and experienced interpreters and by recieving mentorship that I will have a greater understanding of how Deaf Culture affects our interpretations.  I also hope to gain a better understanding of how to navigate the many ethical dilemmas and demands that appear in different interpreting settings.  My goal is to become a more confident interpreter who creates dynamic and equivalent interpretations.  I learn best by experience as well as getting specific feedback that I am able to practice and improve upon.