Diary of a Serial Tester

Ok....so, the goal of many folks who serve as interpreters between those who use spoken english, and those who use another variety of visual communication (yes, I'm being ambiguous on purpose), is to receive a credential from an assessing or certifying body or professional organization.

That being said, there are a variety of these professional organizations, including the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (I live in VA), the Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada (AVLIC), et cetera, et cetera.  All of the organizations offer different credentials, call them different things, and manage them in specific ways.  That being said, I've taken quite a few tests.  Here they are in chronological order:

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
RID Certificate of Interpretation (CI) (I took this twice...I failed the first time)
RID Certificate of Transliteration (CT)
NAD/RID National Interpreter Certification (achieved Advanced)
RID Specialist Certificate: Legal (SC:L)
Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) (results pending)
RID Oral Transliteration Certification (OTC) (results pending)

Now....some folks say, "DUDE...you're already certified!  WHY are you taking all of these tests?"

I'm assuming that they question, because they themselves wouldn't want to take them all or they feel that one certificate or another is enough (and here's the important part)....for them.

Here's my thing:  I'm not testing for anyone else but me.  If I tell folks about it, it's just because I'd like them to know where I'm coming from, send up some good vibes on test day, or just because.  the NAD/RID Code of Professional Conduct, which I've become KEENLY familiar with over the past 2 years, mandates that "Interpreters will engage in professional development".  I take tests to make sure that I'm up to snuff.  I take lots of workshops too....I finished my last CEU cycle with almost 30 CEUs....workshop junkie much?  Absolutely.

Also, I'm a mentor....but let me ask you...how can you mentor folks who are preparing for a test, if you've never seen the test?  Yes, you should be mentoring to a career, but can't you do both?  That's what I do...and the specifics work themselves out.  I can't help someone prepare for a test I've never laid eyes on myself.  I don't give answers, but one thing that I HAVE figured out is that if you're prepared for the format and situation of the test, the stimulus that you're you're asked to interpret isn't nearly as daunting.

Also...I am not hung up with letters behind my name.  At one time, it was nice to see SOMETHING back there, and I think it's nice for anyone who's been pursuing certification or credentialing to see their  credential letters behind your name...but after a while, you realize that it gets a bit messy for folks.  I've had people put me up on a pedestal because of the letters behind my name....and why?  They're only letters!  They show that, on ONE day, I performed at a MINIMUM standard to achieve a particular certificate or level....THAT day.  I'd much rather be know for the work that people have seen me do (that was either rockstar or minor league skill, Kinston Indians style), than for letters, that when put together, look like nothing more than cryptographers drool dream.  :)  Just my thoughts.  :)

Oh...and I'm changing my business card to say Certified Interpreter....if folks want to see the certificates and descriptions, the resources are out there....but my bet is....they won't want to.  Most folks don't care what the letters are, just that you have some.

Thoughts?