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Southern California Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
Mentorship
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Mentorship
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What Is A “Mentor”? What is a “Mentee”?
The terms “mentor” and “mentee” mean different things to different people. When asked, some interpreters thought of a “mentor” as “a wise sage who dispenses pearls of wisdom”; “someone that has something skill-wise that I like…” and who can teach “…how to become like them.” A “mentee” was thought of as a “rookie”; “a novice”; and “an apprentice.”
Dictionaries define “mentor” as follows: a trusted teacher or counselor and a wise advisor and guide. The definition of “mentee” is as follows: someone who is mentored; one who is counseled, guided, advised.
Simply, a “mentee” is someone who is -counseled -guided and -advised
By a “mentor” - someone who is -trusted, and -whose role it is to teach, -advise and -guide.
What Is A “Mentorship”?
Using dictionaries’ definitions once again, “mentorship” is a formalized relationship between a “professional adult” and a “student” and established to enhance the student's career via building skills and knowledge.
Commonly, people think of a mentorship as a series of structured sessions, where someone of greater experiences instructs, provides feedback and “coaches” someone of lesser experience.
Who Is “Qualified” To Mentor?
There are varying opinions of what constitutes mentoring “qualifications.” Dictionaries define “qualifications” as follows: accomplishments, abilities, or qualities that makes a person suitable for a particular task or position. The same definition can be used when seeking a “qualified” mentor. Listed below are examples of “qualifications.”
Accomplishments -Fully certified (i.e., CSC, CI and CT) for five or more years -Graduate of an accredited Interpreter Training Program (ITP) -Full-time professional (paid) interpreter (five or more years) -Experienced in the specific and desired specialization (five or more years) -Experienced in interpreter education -Trained in “mentorship” -Successfully completed a mentorship program as a mentee
Abilities -Assists in setting goals -Provides practical advice and instruction -Capable of bringing out the best in people -Can give fair, honest yet gentle feedback
Qualities -Calmness -Positive and professional demeanor Patience A supportive attitude
Bottom line: Only you can choose the best mentor for yourself. Sometimes the selection process involves following your inner guidance or intuition.
You may also want to consider these simple guidelines when deciding whom to approach to become your mentor. Choose someone that has the following traits and you have found a “gem”:
Find an interpreter who: -Has interpreting skills you admire -Exhibits a polished professional demeanor -Possesses a warm and friendly personality -Can teach in a supportive and non-threatening manner and -Is willing to work with you
Friendly reminder: You can learn something from just about anyone. It is, however, best to learn and emulate positive traits, practices and skills from someone who has had a great deal of practical experience and clear communication skills.
FOR MENTEES:
Where To Find A Mentor
Go to the Southern California’s Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (SCRID) website http://scrid.org/ Go to MENTORSHIP link Go to LIST OF AVAILABLE MENTORS and WHO OFFERS MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS.
Additionally, if you have already graduated from an Interpreter Training Program (ITP) and would like to find a mentor, contact local ITPs and ask the coordinators for referrals and suggestions.
Attend public conferences/workshops/events where you know sign language interpreting services will be provided. Observe the various interpreters. See who’s interpreting style, demeanor, and professionalism you would most want to emulate. Approach that interpreter about the possibility of mentoring with them.
Ask fellow interpreters if they know of anyone who may be interested in becoming a mentor.
How To Get The Most Out of Mentoring Sessions
Plan ahead. Decide what it is you would like to accomplish and think about the best way to achieve success. Prior to approaching a potential mentor, make a list of the specific areas you would like to focus on and improve (i.e., specific interpreting skills, business presentation, and so on). Additionally, make a list of how you think you can logistically accomplish your goals.
Suggestions:
The more specific you can be about your expectations, goals, intentions, and preferences, the easier it will be to find the best match.
If the person you approach is not able to accommodate your preferences, you will either have to adjust and compromise, or you will have to move on and find someone else.
While the goal is to be specific as you can be, you must also remain flexible. If you are clear about what you would like to accomplish from the overall experience, the more readily a potential mentor will be able to determine if they can support you in the way you envisioned.
When you find a mentor-match, set up a planning-session. Make your first meeting one in which the two of you agree upon structure, format, and schedule. Discuss and agree upon each of your preference points, expectations and goals. Ask your mentor to discuss their preferences, expectations and goals. Devise mutually agreed upon feedback and evaluation forms.
FOR MENTORS:
How To Find A Mentee
**For more information about mentoring and other aspects of the interpreting profession, see Linda Humphreys’ book: THE PROFESSIONAL SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER’S HANDBOOK, The complete, practical manual for the interpreting profession, Sign Language Interpreting Media (S.L.I.M.), Brentwood, California, 2006. www.InterpretingInfo.com
Also see the following references:
Project Tiem.online http://www.asl.neu.edu/tiem.online/
Mentorship: A Sign of the Times - A Guide to Mentorship in the Field of Sign Language Interpretation. Fleisher, L.R. and Clark, T.S. Northridge, CA: California State University, 1995.
Linda Humphreys, M.A.,CSC,
CI and CT, SC:L, OTC
Other resources: RID VIEWS, April 2007 features Mentoring as the theme for that edition. For information about how to subscribe to VIEWS or retrieve copies, go to www.rid.org.
The Mentor's Companion Available for shipping July 15th! By Patty Gordon and Mari Magler. An insightful guide and "must have" resource tool that will help create mentorships that result in incredible and positive learning experiences for all participants. Member Price: $23.95 (Click here for RID online store)
https://rid.org/acct-app/index.cfm?action=store.category&ProductCategoryID=4
If you wish to be included in this Mentor
Directory, please send the following information to Peggy Huber at the
contact info below:
Full Name
Certifications (must provide verification)
Areas of Specialty
Area of residence or work, or ability to provide
distance mentorships (via phone or internet)
Contact info (1 phone number and/or 1 email
address)
If you would like to contribute to this webpage or you are a qualified and available mentor, please contact Peggy Huber.Coming soon:A list of mentorship programs in Southern California |
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Inglewood, CA 90303 Send mail to
Peggy Huber with questions or comments about this web site.
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3550 West
Century Blvd, Ste. 103-261