Looking For a Mentor / What to Look For
If you are interested in working with a mentor to improve your interpreting skills in general or specific areas, but don’t know what to look for, consider the following. This list was generated from the NCIEC mentor and mentee survey results. A skilled and qualified mentor should possess some of the following characteristics:
- High standards—commitment to excellence
- Proven expertise
- Respect for the abilities of others
- Commitment to shared learning
- Willingness to be an advocate and supporter
- Trustworthiness
- Care and empathy
- Effective communication skills
- Creativity and openness
- Self-confidence and ability to affirm others
- Positive attitude
- Flexibility
- Ethical behavior
Interpreting mentors should have several years of paid professional experience, hold high level certification, and have completed some level of mentor training by a recognized training entity. They must also have an active interest in current issues and literature in the interpreting field.
ASL specialists should be native signers, have several years of experience working directly with ASL, hold ASLTA certification and demonstrate an active interest in the field of ASL, staying current with new developments in the field (e.g. through literature, workshops, etc.).
Deaf language/culture guides should be active in the Deaf community, fluent in ASL, and knowledgeable of Deaf culture. They must be supportive of hearing interpreters and able to guide them toward appropriate behavior and signing.
In addition to professional signing and interpreting skills, mentors should have the ability to articulate the interpreting process and the time to participate in a mentoring experience of scope and sequence.
Or, in the words of Odysseus, a mentor must be a wise, trusted, counselor or teacher.
Not sure where to look for in a mentor? Click here for some suggestions. |
