<p>I know somebody who is interested in becoming an interpretator. How does he get started? What are some good colleges in the East Coast (preferably around New York City) that would have good programs to fit his needs? Right now, he is in a Community College in Wisconsin… and is looking to transfer his credits to a college in the East Coast. Is it possible for him to do so? Thanks.</p>
<p>I’ve looked at lots of colleges with my 3 kids and have not run across any around NYC that train interpreters, although many have superb foreign language programs that usually culminate in literature classes taught in the language. You might try asking at the UN to see if they can either recommend sources of training or if they can put you (or your friend) in touch with the UN interpreters to get some direction.</p>
<p>Tell your friend to start by getting an internship or volunteering his time doing basic interpretation. This can boost his resume and help him gain experience.</p>
<p>My sister is an interpreter and translator. She went abroad for a year in high school, took the language all 4 years in college, summers worked out of state as a tour guide, moved to the country for roughly 5 years after graduation, then worked for a major auto company as a translator for 4 or 5 years. Now she translates out of her home and spends about 2 weeks away each month doing on the spot interpreting for executives. She is very good.</p>
<p>She belongs to some sort of national translator organization. Perhaps your find can search around for something of the sort and get advice from someone working with his language.</p>
<p>As your friend is in WI, they may have a system similar to MN - my sister sat an exam, and maybe an interview, to become certified as an official court interpreter. That may be a way to get a foot in the door and start networking.</p>
<p>Depending on the language, help with interpreting may be welcome at some free clinics and refugee resettlement agencies. One of my friends interpreted a couple hours a week at a bilingual preschool class and now works full time at a medical clinic.</p>
<p>I haven’t heard of any special programs but I haven’t ever looked for them either. Tell your friend to do as much as possible in his education with his language and English to make sure he is completely grammatically correct in both. If it is a language used in many countries, he needs to learn to differentiate the slangs, proverbs, and connotations of words that may be acceptable/unacceptable in different regions. (such as a phrase that is acceptable in Mexico may seem coarse in Guatemala)</p>
<p>That’s about all I know.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help.</p>