Meet American Sign Language Interpreter JP

Student Profile As a American Sign Language interpreter I will translate what my client is saying in American Sign Language to English and visa versa. To become a American Sign Language Interpreter I can have a certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor degree.

I chose this occupation because at first I learned American Sign Language to teach deaf people the Bible. Then I started having classes teaching American Sign Language. Finally when thinking about what I wanted to do as a career after high school I wanted to do something I love. Since I have been doing American Sign Language for years and I love it, I decided to become a American Sign Language Interpreter.

Waubonsee Cost of Attendance

My cost to go to Waubonsee is $32,902.72 for two years. Below is a breakdown of my projected cost of attendance as a in state student of Illinois.

True Cost of College

The actual total cost for me to go to college is $39,445.38. I will pay off my student loans in 7 years assuming my interest rate is 5% of my annual salary goes to paying my student loans. I will pay $6,542.66 in interest.

True Cost of College

Lifetime Earnings

Working as a Sign Language interpreter for the next 45 years, I plan to make about $3.5 million dollars. I will start out as an entry(or beginner) interpreter for the first five years,and the last 15 years as a advanced sign language interpreter. Below is a graph that shows my lifetime earnings and salary each year.

Lifetime Earnings

Job Outlook As an ASL interpreter the industry I could be in is education, medical, or governmental.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of jobs for this profession will

expand by 42% from 2010 to 2020, making it one of the fastest-growing professions in the

country. Interpreters for the deaf will continue to have favorable employment prospects

because there is a shortage of people with the needed skill levels. Demand for American

Sign Language interpreters is expected to grow rapidly, driven by the increasing use of

video relay services, which allow people to conduct online video calls and use a sign

language interpreter.In addition, growing international trade and broadening global ties

should require more interpreters and translators. The need to interpret and translate

languages in the military should result in more jobs as well.

Job Market Today

This supply and demand graphs shows the 2010 job market for ASL interpreters/translators. There are 58,400 translators and interpreters in the USA. The mean salary is $43,000.

Job Prediction

Based on my analysis, I predict that the demand curve will shift to it’s right as there is an increase for ASl interpreters. The mean for ASL interpreters will also increase.

Cost and Benefit Analysis List of all the costs of my college education:

1. I would have to drive back and forth to school everyday; because of the high price of gas driving back and forth will be expensive.

2. I would have to drive to school over an hour away. During the winter it will be rough driving.

3. If I have to pay for college myself and take out a loan it will cost me over $39,000.

Cost and Benefit Analysis List of all the benefits of my college education:

1. I will finish school in less than two years. 2. Once I finish school I will be making a nice amount of money as

a Sign Language interpreter. 3. The program I will take in school will allow me to go to school

only two days a week and that allows me to be free to do other activities.

4. I will be the first one of my mother’s four children to graduate from college.

Advice from my Father

Even though the price of college can be expensive and you can end up paying more than you had expected it is worth the cost. College allows you to express yourself and the education you learn will help you to function better in society( meaning improving your speaking skills and gaining more knowledge) .

My Decision

I have decided to go Waubonsee Community College. There I will pursue my Associate’s degree as a American Sign Language interpreter. This a great field to enter into. There is a rapid demand for American Sign Language interpreters and from now to 2020 it is to increase to 42%, making it one of the fastest-growing professions in the country. American Sign Language is something I have been doing for years and love. I can not wait to start my career as a ASL interpreter.

Assumptions

1. I will work part time for 45 years. 2. I will get my Associate's degree in less than two

years. 3. It will take me 7 years to pay off my loan.

References

"Careers in Sign Language Interpretation | PCC." Careers in Sign Language Interpretation | PCC. Portland Community College, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.

"27-3091 Interpreters and Translators." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.

Jacobs, Deborah L. "Lydia Callis and the Biggest Industry You've Never Heard Of." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 13 Nov. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.

"File:American Sign Language ASL.svg." - Wikimedia Commons. N.p., 17 Sept. 2007.

Web. 15 Oct. 2013.

"The Job Matchers: Interpreter and Translator Jobs." The Job Matchers: Interpreter and

Translator Jobs. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.