Interpreter Careers - Top Careers for 2013

There are two main types of interpretation. Simultaneous interpretation involves the interpreter beginning to speak before the first party has finished. This means that during simultaneous interpretation, an interpreter must listen and speak at the same time.

Consecutive interpretation means an interpreter allows the first party to finish before beginning the verbal interpretation. An interpreter using this style must have a very good memory and/or note-taking system.

Interpreter Careers Path

Although many interpreters have Bachelor’s degrees in their respective secondary languages, it is not necessary. In fact an undergraduate degree in a field other than language might be used for building a field of knowledge, such as medicine or business, that could be useful in certain types of interpreting jobs.

Above all, the best training for an interpreter comes from experience. Spending time with native speakers and visiting the language’s origin country will help refine linguistic and cultural knowledge. Beginning interpreters may have to take jobs for little or no pay, but this experience will be invaluable for securing better positions later.

Interpreter Careers: Compatible Personality Traits

Strong language skills, outstanding memory, good communicator, enjoys working with people, likes to travel, willing to work odd hours, strong concentration skills.

Interpreter Interview

To find out more about the daily workings of an interpreter, Read More for a Professional Interpreter…

Interpreter Careers: Salary Expectations

Salaried interpreters earn an average of $20.82 per hour, reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay, however, is greatly determined by the interpreter’s skill, experience, and chosen language. Those interpreters who speak languages that are in high demand or for which there are few interpreters can expect to make more than average.

Interpreter Careers: Job Outlook

The BLS projects the field of interpreters to grow by 42% by 2020, which is much faster than the national average. As our world becomes more connected and businesses set up offices overseas, demand for interpreters is expected increase greatly. Demand for PFIGS languages-Portugese, French, Italian, German, and Spanish-will remain high, but those who speak Middle Eastern and major Asian languages-Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and Korean-will see even more opportunities. With the rise of video conferencing, interpreters of American Sign Language or other visual languages will also be able to find employment opportunities.