NIS Interpreting Mentorship Program

The Interpreting Mentorship Program offered by Network Interpreting Service provides an opportunity for pre-certified interpreters to enter the workforce with support from an experienced mentor. These pre-certified interpreters, or protégés, are often recent graduates from interpreting programs and are in various stages of obtaining certification. They are qualified to provide interpreting services in specific settings, and with the support from the Interpreting Mentorship Program, will gain the experience, skills and confidence to reach their potential and obtain certification.

Protégés are able to team with other interpreters or work alone, depending on the setting. The mentorship program is coordinated by a qualified mentor who has years of experience as an interpreter and an educator. The mentor is a nationally certified interpreter with experience in a wide variety of settings.

Support for Protégés

The support that protégés receive may be a combination of weekly site visits from the mentor, observation, discussion and analysis of the protégés’ work, in-service training, and ongoing email contact for discussion of questions and expectations. Protégés learn to analyze their interpreting work and identify areas for improvement. They engage in activities to improve their interpreting, using resources provided by the mentor.

All protégés may participate in a moderated, professional online group discussion board with the mentor and other protégés to explore roles and the process of making ethical decisions at their sites. Protégés are provided with books, articles and other materials that assist them in maximizing their performance on the job. These materials are also available for others at the interpreting site.

Working with a Protégé

Protégés have been screened and determined to have the skills required to interpret in your particular setting. If you work with a protégé as part of an interpreting team, your participation as an effective team interpreter is critical for the growth and success of the protégé. If you have any questions, concerns or comments about working with a protégé please contact NIS.

Our Philosophy

Our goal, simply stated, is to provide the best interpreting service possible. We do whatever is necessary to provide top quality service. This includes information and materials sharing, consistency in our work, and support for those with whom we work. The Interpreting Mentorship Program offers support to our protégés as well as to on-site interpreters and coordinators.

Please contact Annette Miner, the Mentoring Program Coordinator for additional information or to get started.