Summary of Mentor Program

This whole experience with the Signs of Development Mentor Program has been amazing from the start up until now. In the beginning I felt that I really needed a program like this to help to guide me through my beginning steps as an interpreter. Many parts of the terminology in the field of interpreting I was not aware of and I needed more clarity on the direction I was headed. I had started interpreting with so many questions about the field....and of course I still have so many questions (we are always learning) but I know that I can still turn to Pat and others for guidance. After these 6 months I feel that many of my questions have been answered and more importantly I have a clear understanding of what I am doing now and of my current path. Pat and I sat down a few times and the feedback and support that I got from her gave me the "spark" and direction I needed to delve in the research to the questions I had. I found all the answers I was seeking plus so much more. Pat really knew how to ask the right questions, to get me thinking, to make me have that "ah-ha" moment. We got our web cams both working through the ooVoo program right at the end of the mentor program (although we had one session that we had done together and Pat was able to see my whole family on ooVoo before she got her new camera.)This is a great thing to have in the mentor program and I would recommend that more interpreters who are in this program could use this. It utilizes your time better and you are able to see each other and if you need to work on signing skills you can do so via web cam. Also this blog was set up to keep up on the skill challenges that were set, I added some of the questions from the beginning of the mentoring training, and some of the ASL practice videos. A mentor relationship is a give and take relationship, and from my side I have really gained a clarity of direction and more awareness of the skill challenges I have related to interpreting. I have more faith in myself as an interpreter after have gone though this program. I would and have recommended this Mentor Program with Signs of Development to other interpreters.It has been very beneficial for me and I hope Pat has gained a little knowledge from me...if only just the web cam and ooVoo program. :)