NTID Interpreting Career Fair

people conversing with and signing with career fair agencies
 

NTID Interpreting Career Fair

The Interpreting Career Fair is an annual event held each fall and hosted by RIT/NTID's American Sign Language and Interpreting Education Department and the NTID Student Interpreting Association.

At the Career Fair, you can network and learn more about potential practicum, internship, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities.

This website offers tips on how to prepare and present yourself well and what to expect from the agencies that will be represented.

Preparation Before Career Fair

recruiter talking to students at career fair

Attire for the career fair is business casual. Dress like it's an interview and you want them to remember you as being professional.

Blouse, Button-up Shirt, Dress Pants, Skirt, Dress, Dress Boots, Heels, Flats, Loafers

Do you want to learn more about appropriate dress? Here are some resources for you to learn more:

  • Small over-the-shoulder briefcase or tote bag for swag and literature you collect from agencies
  • Copies of your resume, cover letter, and business cards
  • Folder or binder for resume and cover letter
  • Notepad/paper and pens

Manage First Impressions

recruiter talking with students

  • Initiate contact with recruiters by smiling, making eye contact, and shaking hands when introducing yourself.
  • Approach recruiters by yourself to demonstrate self-confidence.
  • Stand up straight and avoid looking fatigued or disorganized when speaking with recruiters.
  • Avoid setting your materials (bag, satchel) on the recruiting table. Avoid disrupting their displays and carefully arrayed hand outs, etc.

GNAP – Greeting, Name, Affiliation, Purpose

For example:

Hello, my name is John Smith, I’m a 4th year student from Madison, Wisconsin and I am doing my practicum in K-12. After graduation I'm interested in a scheduling position or contracting with agencies in the NYC area.

Additional Details:

  1. Reason you became an interpreter
  2. Practicum interpreting experience
  3. Ability to team with colleagues and/or Deaf interpreters
  4. Favorite parts of the interpreting program and how that applies to your life after college and in the interpreting field.

  • Tell me about your company.
  • Where is your company located?
  • What does your company value?
  • Do you have any programs for practicum students or recent graduates?
  • Do you hire new interpreters who are not yet certified?
  • What kind of positions do you have for new interpreters?
  • How does your company/agency support new interpreters/recent graduates?
  • Do you have a mentoring program for new interpreters?
  • Will your agency help me prepare for certification?
  • Do you team new interpreters with certified interpreters?
  • What is your ideal candidate for a staff interpreter at your company/agency?
  • What does your screening process look like?
  • What kind of work does your agency/company typically receive?
  • Do you have any virtual work?
  • What are the differences between your staff and freelance positions?
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Taxes
    • Rates
    • Hourly Commitment
  • Do you have Deaf Interpreters on your staff?
  • How can I get started screening with you?
  • I don’t feel ready right now for this agency; how can I get involved in the future?
  • Ask about them.
    • How did you get into interpreting, running an agency, or scheduling?
    • This is also a time to see if they’re a good match for you, not only the other way around!

  • Do you supply housing?
  • Is it a paid position?
  • Do you supply a mentor?
  • What does your internship/apprenticeship look like?
  • Is it primarily teamed work?
  • What does the screening process look like?
  • Will you help me prepare for certification?
  • How many hours of observations/interpreting would this agency be able to provide?
  • How do you select a mentor for me?

Questions Recruiters Ask

recruiters and students at career fair

  • Where are you doing your practicum?
  • How is practicum going?
  • Who is your mentor?
  • What are you interested in after graduation?
  • Are you staying in Rochester?
  • Are you interested in _____ (Fill in type of interpreting work)
  • What kind of community work are you interested in? (Performance, Business, Post Secondary?)
  • What are you doing for practicum next semester?
  • Do you have a resume with you?
  • Why you might be interested in a scheduling position over an interpreting position or vice versa.
  • What interpreting experience do you have?
  • What interests you about their company thus far in the conversation?

Other Tips

recruiter talking with student

  • RIT has a printer in Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry Hall where you can print your resume out for free if you need! NTID also has one!
  • Go to all the tables--even the ones that you’re not interested in!
    • Some agencies have mock assessments or screening opportunities for feedback. They also might have virtual opportunities.
    • It’s also great to network! You never know what might come up!
  • Keep it a signing space and show what you know.
    • Lots of agencies bring Deaf people so it’s really important that you respect the Deaf individuals in the room and sign your conversations (or at least sim-com)!
  • It’s super easy to cling to your friends, but take this time to explore for YOU and make the conversations about YOU and the agency!
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions--they really do want to chat with you.
  • Reference your resume in your conversation so that they are able to pinpoint you at a later time even if they don’t remember your name.