Experience so far

O.K. It's nearly two years now I have been doing interpreting work.
It is interesting and rewarding work.In my life I have worked in a
lot of different industries/businesses and I must say that this has been
most interesting!
One gets to work with so many different types of people and in so many
different areas of life! Sometimes I have worked in county courts in family/
children's matters; Sometimes at crown courts dealing with cases where people
can taste the long arm of the law.
Sometimes at contact centres getting to know the families' involved quite well.
At times in Hospitals and medical centres and also at people's homes dealing with
quite sensitive matters.
But as an interpreter we always have to follow the codes of conduct and maintain
strict professionalism.Must always remember the role we are playing;the job we
are doing. We have to maintain strict neutrality and sometimes remind parties our
roles as well.We are there to just act as a conduit between two different language
speakers.People ask for advice or opinion. I can not offer either .I can not help
them with any information either.My role forbids me to do that. Sometimes
people try to manipulate us psychologically.I have to be aware of that and take
care not to fall into any trap.
So you can see it can be challenging. But that's where the training comes into use !
It's easy to get into a lengthy conversation with the non English speaker. But that would
be unprofessional ! And people do notice that.And praise you for being good.I believe
that doing your job properly is a good advertisement for business as well. Because if
you are good at what you do, more and more people would want your services.On the
other hand if you are sloppy, nobody would want to do business with you or atleast not
if they can help it.