Research
has demonstrated that learning from experience is a characteristic of
exceptional practitioners. An
internship is a time when student interpreters apply classroom theory and
practice to actual work settings with supervision and support from an
on-site mentor. Internship
experiences are essential in the education and preparation of competent
entry-level interpreters.
·
An
internship experience creates opportunities for students to refine their
emerging interpreting, interpersonal skills and decision-making skills in
order to enter the field.
·
Learning
in an internship setting provides student interpreters with opportunities to
reflect on ”real-life” experiences, examine assumptions and make
critical discoveries that are not possible in classroom settings.
·
Observing,
participating with, and receiving guidance from experienced practitioners is
crucial for interpreters on the cusp of entering the field.
·
During
internship, students have the opportunity to assess their performance and to
set goals for their on going skills development.
·
By
engaging in internship experiences, students will have an opportunity to
develop a personal philosophy of practice.
·
Student
interpreters are expected to develop other critical skills while on
internship, including: Problem solving, flexibility, creative thinking and
taking personal responsibility for their decisions/actions.
Students
are available to work varying shifts in order to meet the needs of the work
site. The exact time of their
participation will be determined by the needs of the site and the
availability of supervision.
During
their time at the internship sites, students require regular supervision,
guidance and feedback from their site mentor.
During the first week,
the student, college instructor and site mentor MUST meet to finalize
student goals and site expectations. We
encourage weekly meetings during which supervisors can provide feedback,
discuss any concerns or notable successes, and respond to the student’s
questions.
Roles and Responsibilities
The
following is a description of the roles and responsibilities of the
student, the site and the college.
·
Works
in accordance with the assigned hours of the site;
·
Is
governed by the personnel policies and procedures of the site in all
matters such as punctuality, illness, absence, use of cars, holidays,
and attire. Failing to
adhere to policies will be grounds for dismissal from internship and
depending on the seriousness of the issue, from the program.
·
Within
the first week of internship, reviews required skills and assignments
with the site mentor in order to clarify how they apply to the site;
·
Is
expected to be thoroughly involved by:
learning
as much as possible
reflecting regularly on the effects on their own actions
seeking
regular feedback on interpreting,
interpersonal,
completing internship
completing
a feedback form
evaluating her/his own performance
leading the
·
Completes
time sheet and has site mentor sign to verify weekly;
·
Contacts
the college instructor regarding any concerns about the internship.
·
Is
responsible for providing an atmosphere conducive to the learning and
training of the student
·
Provides
an orientation to acquaint the student with the site’s goals,
policies, roles of staff people and specific expectations of the agency
regarding the internship student;
·
Provides
a site mentor who has knowledge and expertise in the skills the student
is attempting to master and is available to work directly with the
student in order to provide modeling and guidance;
·
Provides
sufficient time for supervisor to give the student regular feedback on
her/his performance;
·
When
the site is located outside of the Austin Area, may be asked to locate
housing for the students who do not have family/friends in the area.
·
Provides
regular feedback to the student and participates in meetings with the
college instructor and student;
·
Ensures
the student is actively involved in the milieu of the program;
·
Verifies
student time sheet weekly;
·
Contacts
the college instructor as soon as possible regarding any concerns about
the student or the internship placement.
The
College Internship Instructor…
·
Maintains
close liaison with site mentors and is available at any reasonable time
during the internship period;
·
Attends
and arranges any meetings in addition to routine visits that may be
necessary to resolve student internship concerns;
·
Ensure
that students are being provided with a solid training experience and
supportive instruction;
·
After
consultation with the site mentor and student, makes the final decision
on the student’s mastery or non-mastery of the internship;
Feedback,
Evaluation and Grading
Feedback
and evaluations are essential components of the internship experience.
They are teaching tools which provide the student with the
necessary information to develop skills and integrate knowledge.
Evaluation and feedback are intended to relieve students’
anxiety since they motivate and direct learning by pointing out what has
been accomplished and what remains to be done.
It
is important that site mentors and student make the time for the
supervisor to give the student regular feedback of her/his performance.
This will involve encouraging initiative and independence on the
part of the student in appropriate areas while helping the student to
realize her/his limitations and recognize matters which should be
brought to the attention of the staff.
The
site mentor, prior to reviewing the internship skills and assignments,
should complete the Mid-Point and Final Evaluation Forms.
Any area not considered “satisfactory” will be discussed.
The
student will lead the discussion based on her/his written documentation
of skills and learning. The
site mentor and college instructor will also provide comments.
The college instructor will summarize the discussion and decide
on final grading. The
grading may be discussed during the meeting or privately with the
student at a later time.
The
student’s final evaluation (to be completed by the college instructor)
will be based on the student’s fieldwork performance, as well as the
student’s interactions, attitude and performance as a working
participant of the seminar discussion group.
In
order to attain the grade of master, the student must:
·
Perform
their duties on site in a manner that has value to the individuals they
are working with on site;
·
Perform
all skills on the “Basic Work Skills checklist” to a satisfactory
level;
·
Require
no supervision beyond Complete the required internship hours.
·
Require
no supervision beyond that normally given new staff on tasks other than
interpreting
·
Provide
written evidence of completed learning experiences;
·
Provide
vocabulary journal of all interpreting and observation assignments;
·
Complete
the required internship hours.
*IMPORTANT
NOTE: You must apply for graduation at ACC at the beginning of your last
semester.
During each internship, students will have a number of
experiences working directly with Deaf and hearing individuals in a
variety of settings. These
experiences are intended to provide students with “hands on”
experience to gain further insight, awareness and knowledge through the
realities of working as an interpreter.
Some
of the most important aspects of the internship experience on which
students will be evaluated include:
1)
Learning from practice;
2)
Openness to change in practice settings;
3)
Reflections on your practice;
4)
Relationships and interactions with the people with whom you are
working;
5)
Coping with your own fears, concerns and responses.
Students
are required to complete each of the following learning experiences
during their internship experiences.
Each learning exercise will be done only once.
Various learning experiences can be done on different internship
sites. The documentation of
these learning experiences will be included in the graduation
portfolios.
Internship
#____ – Midpoint Work Evaluation
This evaluation form is to be completed by the site mentor for the mid-point evaluations. The completed form will be discussed in the evaluation meetings with the internship instructor.
|
Demonstrates
the following work habits to the site’s standards: ·
Punctuality ·
attendance ·
grooming
and dress |
|
|
Shows
consistent effort throughout the day. |
|
|
Is
tactful. |
|
|
Seeks,
accepts, and integrates feedback |
|
|
Is
patient with self and others. |
|
|
Shows
initiative. |
|
|
Displays
sound judgment. |
|
|
Is
enthusiastic. |
|
|
Demonstrates
effective communication and interpersonal skills. |
|
|
Display
a sense of humor. |
|
|
Promotes
a positive atmosphere. |
|
|
Demonstrates
an ability to deal with time and stress pressures. |
|
|
Establishes
effective working relationship within appropriate |
|
|
Works
collaboratively. |
|
|
Interprets
meaning and manages interpreting process effectively. |
|
|
Communicates
effectively via TTY contacts and in ASL. |
|
|
Demonstrates
cultural sensitivity with hearing clients/colleagues. Demonstrates
cultural sensitivity with Deaf clients/colleagues. |
|
|
Other
concerns/comments: |
|
|
Signed: STUDENT |
Signed: SITE MENTOR |
Internship
#____ – FINAL Work Evaluation
This evaluation form is to be completed by the site mentor for the final evaluations. The completed form will be discussed in the evaluation meetings with the internship instructor.
|
Demonstrates
the following work habits to the site’s standards: ·
Punctuality ·
attendance ·
grooming
and dress |
|
|
Shows
consistent effort throughout the day. |
|
|
Is
tactful. |
|
|
Seeks,
accepts, and integrates feedback |
|
|
Is
patient with self and others. |
|
|
Shows
initiative. |
|
|
Displays
sound judgment. |
|
|
Is
enthusiastic. |
|
|
Demonstrates
effective communication and interpersonal skills. |
|
|
Display
a sense of humor. |
|
|
Promotes
a positive atmosphere. |
|
|
Demonstrates
an ability to deal with time and stress pressures. |
|
|
Establishes
effective working relationship within appropriate |
|
|
Works
collaboratively. |
|
|
Interprets
meaning and manages interpreting process effectively. |
|
|
Communicates
effectively via TTY contacts and in ASL. |
|
|
Demonstrates
cultural sensitivity with hearing clients/colleagues. Demonstrates
cultural sensitivity with Deaf clients/colleagues. |
|
|
Other
concerns/comments: |
|
|
Signed: STUDENT |
Signed: SITE MENTOR |
Time
Sheet
Internship
#____
Student:
___________________________
Total Hrs Completed: _______________
Supervisor:
Location: ________________________
|
WEEK
ONE Time
finished.
|
SUN _____ _____ _____ |
MON _____ _____ _____ |
TUES _____ _____ _____ |
WED _____ _____ _____ |
THUR _____ _____ _____ |
FRI _____ _____ _____ |
SAT _____ _____ _____ |
Total Hours: Site Supervisor’s Initials |
|
WEEK
TWO Time
finished.
|
SUN _____ _____ _____ |
MON _____ _____ _____ |
TUES _____ _____ _____ |
WED _____ _____ _____ |
THUR _____ _____ _____ |
FRI _____ _____ _____ |
SAT _____ _____ _____ |
Total Hours: Site Supervisor’s Initials |
|
WEEK
THREE Time
finished.
|
SUN _____ _____ _____ |
MON _____ _____ _____ |
TUES _____ _____ _____ |
WED _____ _____ _____ |
THUR _____ _____ _____ |
FRI _____ _____ _____ |
SAT _____ _____ _____ |
Total Hours: Site Supervisor’s Initials |
|
WEEK
FOUR Time
finished.
|
SUN _____ _____ _____ |
MON _____ _____ _____ |
TUES _____ _____ _____ |
WED _____ _____ _____ |
THUR _____ _____ _____ |
FRI _____ _____ _____ |
SAT _____ _____ _____ |
Total Hours: Site Supervisor’s Initials |
Internship Contract
(Student
Copy)
This is a
contractual agreement between the student and the Austin Community College
Interpreting Preparation Program. This
contract is to be signed prior to beginning the first internship.
I
have read the RID professional code of ethics.
I will comply with this code in spirit and in deed, behaving in a
mature, responsible manner at all times.
I
will maintain a relationship of trust, mutual respect and professionalism in
all contacts with clients, their families, and their friends.
I recognize that sexual relationships with clients, clients’
friends and family members constitute a breach of trust.
I
will maintain the confidentiality of my internship setting.
I will discuss my internship setting only with my site mentor and my
internship instructor.
I
understand that internship is a work
experience, not an observational experience. In addition to the condition of internship as outlined by
Austin Community College, I am governed by the personnel policies of the
agency in which I am placed.
Should
illness or some other circumstance beyond my control require my absence from
my internship work or tardiness in arriving at my internship site, I will
contact my site mentor and my internship instructor prior to the beginning
of the workday. In addition, I
understand that if I miss more than 1½ days of work during the internship
experience due to sickness or other legitimate cause, must be made up.
If
any problems arise at the internship site, I will use appropriate conflict
resolution techniques in a respectful and assertive manner.
I will bring the problem to the attention to the site mentor and
follow through with mature problem-solving behavior.
Mastery
of Competencies
I understand
that I must achieve a grade of “mastery” in this course and that a grade
will not be assigned unless all requirements spelled out in the student
guide have been completed.
I also
understand that it is my responsibility to take a leadership role in the
internship meetings with my site mentor and/or internship instructor.
It is my responsibility to prepare notes, questions, and other
documentation in advance of these meetings.
I
understand that a breech of this contract or a failure to comply with the
guidelines spelled out in the student may result in suspension and dismissal
from internship and, depending on the seriousness of the breech, dismissal
from the interpreting program.
Date:
_________________
Signed: _______________________________________
_______________________________________________
Coordinator,
Interpreting Preparation Program
Internship
Contract
(Program
Copy)
This is a
contractual agreement between the student and the Austin Community College
Interpreting Preparation Program. This
contract is to be signed prior to beginning the first internship.
I
have read the RID professional code of ethics.
I will comply with this code in spirit and in deed, behaving in a
mature, responsible manner at all times.
I
will maintain a relationship of trust, mutual respect and professionalism in
all contacts with clients, their families, and their friends.
I recognize that sexual relationships with clients, clients’
friends and family members constitute a breach of trust.
I
will maintain the confidentiality of my internship setting.
I will discuss my internship setting only with my site mentor and my
internship instructor.
I
understand that internship is a work
experience, not an observational experience. In addition to the condition of internship as outlined by
Austin Community College, I am governed by the personnel policies of the
agency in which I am placed.
Should
illness or some other circumstance beyond my control require my absence from
my internship work or tardiness in arriving at my internship site, I will
contact my site mentor and my internship instructor prior to the beginning
of the workday. In addition, I
understand that if I miss more than 1½ days of work during the internship
experience due to sickness or other legitimate cause, must be made up.
If
any problems arise at the internship site, I will use appropriate conflict
resolution techniques in a respectful and assertive manner.
I will bring the problem to the attention to the site mentor and
follow through with mature problem-solving behavior.
Mastery
of Competencies
I understand
that I must achieve a grade of “mastery” in this course and that a grade
will not be assigned unless all requirements spelled out in the student
guide have been completed.
I also
understand that it is my responsibility to take a leadership role in the
internship meetings with my site mentor and/or internship instructor.
It is my responsibility to prepare notes, questions, and other
documentation in advance of these meetings
I
understand that a breech of this contract or a failure to comply with the
guidelines spelled out in the student may result in suspension and dismissal
from internship and, depending on the seriousness of the breech, dismissal
from the interpreting program.
Date:
_________________
Signed: _______________________________________
_______________________________________________
Coordinator,
Interpreting Preparation Program
Internship
Contract
(Site
Copy)
This is a
contractual agreement between the student and the Austin Community College
Interpreting Preparation Program. This
contract is to be signed prior to beginning the first internship.
I
have read the RID professional code of ethics.
I will comply with this code in spirit and in deed, behaving in a
mature, responsible manner at all times.
I
will maintain a relationship of trust, mutual respect and professionalism in
all contacts with clients, their families, and their friends.
I recognize that sexual relationships with clients, clients’
friends and family members constitute a breach of trust.
I
will maintain the confidentiality of my internship setting.
I will discuss my internship setting only with my site mentor and my
internship instructor.
I
understand that internship is a work
experience, not an observational experience. In addition to the condition of internship as outlined by
Austin Community College, I am governed by the personnel policies of the
agency in which I am placed.
Should
illness or some other circumstance beyond my control require my absence from
my internship work or tardiness in arriving at my internship site, I will
contact my site mentor and my internship instructor prior to the beginning
of the workday. In addition, I
understand that if I miss more than 1½ days of work during the internship
experience due to sickness or other legitimate cause, must be made up.
If
any problems arise at the internship site, I will use appropriate conflict
resolution techniques in a respectful and assertive manner.
I will bring the problem to the attention to the site mentor and
follow through with mature problem-solving behavior.
Mastery
of Competencies
I understand
that I must achieve a grade of “mastery” in this course and that a grade
will not be assigned unless all requirements spelled out in the student
guide have been completed.
I also
understand that it is my responsibility to take a leadership role in the
internship meetings with my site mentor and/or internship instructor.
It is my responsibility to prepare notes, questions, and other
documentation in advance of these meetings.
I
understand that a breech of this contract or a failure to comply with the
guidelines spelled out in the student may result in suspension and dismissal
from internship and, depending on the seriousness of the breech, dismissal
from the interpreting program.
Date:
_________________
Signed: ______________________________________
_______________________________________________
Coordinator,
Interpreting Preparation Program
GRADUATION
PORTFOLIOS: EVIDENCE
REQUIREMENTS
When
preparing your graduation portfolios, please be sure to include all of the
“required” documentation outlined below.
You may include the “optional” documentation wherever you believe
it will give the assessment team a more complete sense of your knowledge and
skills in each category.
COMMUNICATE
BILINGUALLY
Required:
A)
Submit a typed, double-spaced reflective paper (2 pages),
defining the concept of “communicating bilingually” and give examples of
your experiences in this area. Outline specific examples of linguistic differences between
English and ASL and give examples of your evolving mastery of each language.
Outline your plans for continued linguistic development over the next
three to five years.
ACT
BICULTURALLY
Required:
A) Submit
a typed, double-spaced reflective paper (2 pages), defining the concept of
“bicultural behavior” and give examples of your experiences in this
area. Outline specific examples
of cultural differences between between mainstream and Deaf cultures and
give examples of your evolving mastery of each culture. Outline your plans
for continued linguistic development over the next three to five years.
INTERPRET
MEANING
Required:
A) Submit
a typed, double-spaced
reflective paper (2 pages), defining the concept of “interpret meaning”
and give examples of your experiences in this area.
Outline specific steps in the process of accomplishing this outcome
and give examples to support your statements. Outline your plans for
continued linguistic development over the next three to five years.
Required:
A) Submit
a typed, double-spaced reflective paper (2 pages), discussing your
understanding of professionalism and ethical behavior.
Provide examples of your application of this principle to your work
as an interpreter. Outline your
plans for continued ethical/professional development over the next three to
five years, including your action plan leading to BEI/RID certification.
Required:
A)
Submit a typed, double-spaced reflective paper (2 pages), detailing
your understanding of this outcome and how you apply this to your daily
life. Include a statement of
personal goals for continued growth in this area, along with an action plan
of how you will accomplish these goals.
USE
APPROPRIATE BUSINESS SKILLS
Required:
A) Submit
a typed, double-spaced reflective paper (2 pages), detailing what
“appropriate business skills” means to you, providing examples of your
use of these in your daily practice. Include a statement of personal goals
for continued growth in this area over the next three to five years.
VOCABULARY
JOURNAL
Required:
A) Submit
a vocabulary journal that is recorded during your interpreting and
observations. Its function and
purpose is to note new signs, English phrases and fingerspelling that you
will encounter in the course of everyday interpreting. Vocabulary is the cornerstone to bi-lingual fluency.
This Journal will be divided into three columns titled New Signs,
English Phrases and Fingerspelling.