Katey is a recent 2021 graduate. She is so dedicated and Katey will share with you what has made her so successful! She will let you know that what you think was so unimaginable...can happen to anyone. I hope you enjoy this podcast with Katey.
Katey is a recent 2021 graduate. She is so dedicated and Katey will share with you what has made her so successful! She will let you know that what you think was so unimaginable...can happen to anyone. I hope you enjoy this podcast with Katey.
Hello, this is Tina Perry again, and today I have a special guest at our podcast. Today we have Katie Norcross Hernandez. Now Katie is a special special student. And I call her students. She's not really she's already graduated. Actually, she just graduated this May 2021. But Katie was so special to me as I was her instructor for a while at the College where she attended. And I must tell you, that of all the students that I had, in my 20, some years teaching at Columbus State, Katie stood out heads and shoulders above the rest. Very, very dedicated student. I have never seen anybody work as hard as she did and go through the things that she did in was still a dedicated students. So Katie, I am so appreciative that you are here with us today, and that you have come here to do this with me. I know that you are going to be such a success. And I believe right now, from the things that you've already done and are doing, you are already successful. And that's why I've asked you to join us welcome, Katie.
Katey:Thank you, Tina. For that, I appreciate that.
Tina:And I mean, every word of it, every single word of it. And so yes, so I think you're going to have a lot of insight for students who have just graduated and students who are also still in the program. I'd like to kind of take a little step back and ask you a couple of questions, if I may. Absolutely. So tell me and I already know the answer this, but our audience listening audience may know where and when. Where did you attend? And when did you graduate?
Katey:Yeah, I went to Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio. And I graduated in May of 2021. I started the program, let's see in fall of 2008, teen, right, yes. Is that right? Yeah, I think that's right. Time is a weird concept. But so yes, my I actually graduated a year after technically I was supposed to, but, you know, with COVID, and all things that it kind of delayed it a little bit. But even before COVID happened, I would have been delayed at least a little bit. And everything. Because honestly, I I think there are very few people that end up graduating in the two year time period. I have always kind of said, I've always kind of said that. You know, I so I have a bachelor's degree as well. And I don't we maybe get into that later. But I, when I graduated the interpreter program, I was more proud of this degree and this skill that I gained, then my four year degree, my bachelor's degree. And I think that says a lot about not expecting sort of, oh, it's a two year program. Well, it's okay, if it takes longer, because the skills and the knowledge that I learned were enough to fill a four year program. So
Tina:yeah, you know, I hear a lot of students, the lot of students that I had, while I was there, would say, You know what, I've been through four year programs. And I, one girl even said, I was in the military. And I think I had more challenge going through the interpreting program, but at the end, felt very enlightened, and very successful by being in a two year program. We call it to your program. But you're right. By the time most students complete a program for various reasons. Some students do it in three, I've even had students do it for five years. And you know, at their pace, and whatever worked for them seemed to be what was good for them.
Katey:Absolutely.
Tina:So I'm curious, why did you decide to become a sign language interpreter?
Katey:Yeah. So my path to interpreting was a little bit different. Maybe not different, actually. I guess I haven't really asked most interpreters, but interpreting is my second career, actually. So I originally went to school and got my bachelor's degree in education. So I have a early childhood education license as well as a special education, teaching license. And I graduated college and then started working but in my own it's a junior year. of college. In my introduction to special education course, our instructor, our, our professor, took our whole entire class to different schools around the city of Columbus, that were related to specific types of disabilities. So we went to a school that specifically was specialized for students with autism, we went to a school that was specifically designed and skilled for students with behavioral disabilities and special needs there. And one of the places that we went to was the Ohio School for the Deaf and the Ohio School for the Blind. And that was my first, I don't want to, I guess I have to back up a little bit or take aside, but that was my real first exposure to sign language. And I saw the students and the teachers communicating fully in sign language. And I was just mesmerized. I said, that is so cool. This is what I want to do. Without ever having I had very limited exposure beforehand. I grew up going to a Christian music festival in Wilmore, Kentucky called excuse and they had sign language interpreters on the stage for the music and the sermon, both and I always remember being very enthralled, like very impressed and watching the interpreter more so sometimes in the band, and but I also grew up in a small community where sign language wasn't a provided language for foreign language. I knew no one who was deaf. And so I didn't I like really like, the interpreters. I thought they were cool, but I never even thought I had, I had no second thought that that was like, Oh, I could, I could do that. So then, again, back, sort of, I was enthralled by the sign language. And I decided that semester, that I would then look to see if my university offered sign language. I had already fulfilled my foreign language credit, because I had taken Spanish, my freshman and sophomore year, you know, whatever. So I didn't need it. But I was like, Oh, wow, sign language that seems amazing. Long story short, obviously, you know, and now I know, interpreting is not just using sign language. And even I will be fully transparent. When I joined the program. I was clueless of what it all entailed. I was like, I just, I just want to use silent, like, I just want my language to be part of my profession. And I think for some people, you realize that maybe interpreting isn't what you want to do. But maybe you want to use my language in a different way. But now that I'm out in the field, I really do. Obviously, I've grown a lot and, you know, gone through, you know, XYZ to get here, but I love the process of interpreting. And that's kind of I kept taking sign language classes while I was still teaching, I would see during the day, and then take a class, a night class. And it was a very slow gradual process for me to learn sign language and like, because I didn't fully immerse myself until I joined the program. So but now I just I really feel like I found my niche, because I really love teaching. But I just, I don't know, there was something else that was missing. And so when I decided to step away from the classroom, I do miss parts of it. But I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be.
Tina:You talk you just mentioned about being immersed. How did that happen for you? And when did that happen for you?
Katey:I would say honestly. So within the program there, there are different opportunities to interact and rub shoulders, if you will, with members of the deaf community. But even within that, it was very, very hard to really feel immersed. And till I actually got one of my current jobs now. Actually, thanks to you. At the Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni Association, their office, their Community Center building, I still work there a year and some change later and I will tell everyone that will listen that I really attribute it to my success and making it through the program. I started working there during my final year of the program, I had already passed the the test that we need to We start our practicum. So I had passed that, but I hadn't officially started practicum. Actually, I started them at the same time looking back. And that interaction, I mean, every single day, pretty much that I was working there. I was either, like, understanding what a person was like what a deaf person was saying to me, I was conversing with them, I was using my sign language. And really, a lot of my struggles early on in the program, were not necessarily, I think, related to I don't know what the word that I'm looking for is, but it was more of just the processing part of it. It was almost like my brain knew what I wanted to do, but my hands were lagging behind, or, you know, vice versa. So just being in a lower risk environment, with people who I feel comfortable just conversing with, but also, I mean, they're, they're all on my bosses to in the same notion. So I am interacting with deaf professionals in a multitude of different topics that, frankly, I'm clueless about an English like, I'm learning so much. So it's given me life exposure and life experience, but then also in the context of American Sign Language, and
Tina:being thrown in at the location where you were hired. And by the way, you were recommended by me because I knew you could handle the job. And I knew it would pull you from where you were to 100 and 1,050%. Better we had that discussion.
Katey:And it has, Oh,
Tina:absolutely, I figured we knew it would. And so I think that's the one thing that I wish all students or all recent graduates could have that opportunity. And I know that we're going to be interviewing other interpreters who have been in the field quite a while. And that's the one thing that I hear common thread is I was in the field. I wherever there was a deaf person's hands, you saw my face. And and so that's really important. And I know what's really challenging right now with the with COVID. So I know that that really poses a challenging for challenge for all the students. But it's just so detrimental and so important to the success of you becoming an interpreter, which kind of leaves I know this I'm going to jump ahead is like, the next question is about where did you go to work? Well, why don't you just explain a little bit about being where you are now, but I understand you also are doing VRS work.
Katey:I am Yeah, I actually work there today I am. And honestly I it's one of my prouder point like I I'll emphasize this over and over again. That I am what like one of my most proud moments is getting my degree and then also being able to successfully navigate the video relay world. As a recent graduate, I tell people, like I've had some teams that I've called in, and it gets mentioned and if we're on a hole, you know, whatever. Oh, I'm a recent graduate and they're surprised and actually, I had I had one of my one of the Deaf callers today asked me if I was a coda Yes. like I am, it gives me the greatest and obviously not every call is like that and not every assignment whatever you have your ups and downs but absolutely he asked me that and I said oh my goodness. So I was just I was very touched by that. So it is it is one of the highest compliments I think that you can get. So you
Tina:know I am a coder and I don't get that asked of me all the time. So you know what girl take every minute of that you get every compliment
Katey:and it fuels my fire and you don't want to become better you know and
Tina:I believe that the the job that the where you currently are working had a lot to do with that. It does every single day you were working with grassroots ASL there. Yes.
Katey:I remember. I remember it like it was yesterday actually going in for my interview. Sitting in front of Let me see 1234 Or five if I'm remembering correctly. Death members of the association doing my interview fully in ASL. And, obviously, you know, having a prior knowledge of interview questions you can I, you know, you kind of know what to we had a whole unit on it, how to interpret it, but I'm like, oh my goodness, how do I how do I have an interview in ASL and so, you know, I'm trying to like sex the questions and then one particular person he saw and I have to remember it but he signs job. So the word job you read and then the sign for me as in like meet a person meet strong week which I'll put a sign to me. And I I said he was repeating that I was like, okay, okay, okay, file file cabinets, what's what new one new thing but the thing. And I kind of I kind of thought I mean, later, I thought to your What was that lesson that you did the what did you call it? Oh, rock as that. So finally, in my filing cabinet in my brain, I made the connection of how well do you need the job qualifications? That was what I understood. And that is how I responded. And that was the answer that they were looking for. And I was like, Oh, wow.
Tina:So I felt I hear what you just said you did not stumble through it. You. I feel like to me that in your interview, I'm sure you asked for clarification. You didn't lead on? Like I understand I understand. And I think that's important, as well for anybody who's interpreting not to try to act like you understand and show. You know what? I didn't get that. Would you mind repeating that? And I think that's important, too, that that process of a job interview? So your two locations? Correct. Which is what the common thing for all of us and says interpreters, we mainly, most of us don't have just one job, we generally have two or three jobs under our belt. So you're currently not certified. I mean, sounds like that's something that could be happening quite soon. But what are you doing to prepare yourself to become certified?
Katey:Well, so the group that I work for with the IRS, they offer a lot of like they have a ton of it's called interpreter resources. And so they have, like self study sorts of things where it's like a course and you can use it for continuing education units like CPUs, but if you don't need them, you can still it's just available all the time. The other thing is actually before I graduated, they hosted a workshop about knocking out the NIC, that's what it was called. And there were a couple books on there that they recommended specifically related to the CPC because that I believe is where it's not the questions like the they did actually they did press practice practice questions, excuse me. And I got like nine out of 10 of them correct so I I'm not worried about the knowledge portion. I obviously the more I have my hands up the more better prepared I would be for the performance part. But really what I feel like I need to look over again and and really take the most time is the CPC application part of it. And so that there was the book that they recommended called CPC visually. So rather than do you want to get wrote, I found it on Amazon is available. It's called I and I will maybe have to double check and let you know again, but I believe it's called CPC visually. So whoever the author was, they use this method of rather than using wrote copies. Like, you look at it you write down word for word and or shorthand of what it means. Rather than doing that. They use drawings simple drawing, to prompt your memory for what each tenant means. Now, I haven't purchased it yet, because I was giving myself a little bit of time post graduation and play My wedding after graduation. But it is something that I've put on my Christmas list. And that is where I want to get started. Because looking back, I've always been a visual person, which I think aid subdue me being an interpreter. But that is where I want to start, because I feel like it would the the little caption of the book, like the short, brief overview is like, rather than taking your two minutes to review, or whatever you have during the test, and like trying to write down as much as possible, this, the way that this book is designed is so that you memorize the drawings. And then you just practice drawing them over and over and over again, until that becomes like 60 seconds, like something really fast that you can put it all down, look at it and be like, Oh, that's what that is. And then you have more time to just like, think and be and process things.
Tina:Excellent. Thanks for bringing that up. I hope those those that are watching or listening, check into getting that. What's your goal? And I'll, I'm sorry?
Katey:Well, I was just gonna say I'll definitely confirm double second name. And I'll let you know afterward.
Tina:What's your goal to become sort of What day do you have set? Or do?
Katey:You know? That's a good question. And I haven't set a firm date. But I would say, if I can become certified before the end of 2022. Nice, that'd be great. That would be great. Like, give me a year. Or at least, why don't I tell you this? If I'm not certified by the end of 2022, I promise you that I will at least have made one attempt to take the test and figure out where I am by that point. Yeah. And
Tina:I think you know what that whole testing feels like your program, they have a test that you have to take before you can become b go into practicum. So you kind of have a feeling about what that I mean, certainly it's not the same thing, but it just gives you a little taste of of the time. And I like your attitude. I'll try Hey, that's all you can do try. And if it's not successful the first time you know that you have more tries. And and I feel very confident that if not Wow,
Katey:okay. Sorry, I didn't mean to cut you off. But at least I will experience what it feels like. Because I feel like part of it is that we make up all of these big bad things in our brain and make it bigger than it really is.
Tina:Exactly. Well. It's just the fear of the unknown. That was correct. Remember that when you were getting ready to graduate, you know, and you're like, oh, my gosh, I've done all this education. And now I got to really do this. And so I bet you know, I hear a lot of students say I'm not ready. I'm not ready for this. I you know, can we go over some more videos, and I'm like, we're past the video thing. We're past right now is the time for the real world of work. Tell me one thing, you might have more than one thing Tell me one thing that you would change? About your your journey?
Katey:Question,
Tina:maybe, I mean, if there's nothing to change, then that's okay. But I'm just like, or how about your best piece of advice for somebody who's just about to graduate or will be graduating within the next six months?
Katey:Yeah. Well, I would say that. I feel like what everybody says, and you're like, I told you that one time, and then somebody else's and you finally get it. But I feel like I wish I would have gotten, like really, truly involved in the community earlier. And I know that sometimes it's easier said than done. Oh, it is. But yeah, most like 99% of the time. Yes. And I think part of the biggest challenge for me and I would get many other students is that most of them, if not all had other part or full time jobs in addition to going to school. And so then you have schoolwork and homework. And our teachers tell us he ended up community while I'm like, well, when do I have time? So then, when my work, one of my work became part of the deaf community that I think was really I mean, and I know that that Not necessarily can or won't happen for everybody. But off, I don't want to, I don't want to, I don't know if we can do this off the record, but I would love my goal and where I am now is to try to set up a partnership, which would be awesome on the state. Because it's not a job where I see myself forever. But I found such a value, and such a sense of ownership and making sure that it continues and like, not that they need me. But I just think that it would be such a mutually beneficial thing to use students who are about to graduate in those lower risk environments, and can just continually try to do that, because then it will produce better interpreters, which will then you know, like, I just, I haven't gotten the details laid out yet, but it's something that I've been dreaming about for a while
Tina:would be so awesome. And I think your bottom line is what you're saying here is volunteer. I mean, you you may not get that one position yet. But Katie, I'm sure lat the year before you got that job, you would have said, Right. I'll never work in that. And you are very successful in that. And but I think that whole volunteering, immersion, yep, it's difficult just to go into a room where there's deaf people like, Hi, what's your name? What's your favorite color? You know, just trying to invade their space? You know, and it's nerve racking, I'm sure. So sure it is. But I think that's the type of thing that we as, as new interpreters, or people are just getting into the field have to understand that you really have to just get out there and do it, whether it may not feel good at first. But once you get warmed up to it, you will be so glad. So glad you did. And Katie, I'm so glad that you called me tonight, I'm so proud of you, more than you will ever know, I am so happy that you are in the positions you have for somebody who just graduated. That's really, that's a major success. And that's why I called you to come and be a part of our probe this program is one that or anything you want to say before we close. You've said you've given us I'm sorry.
Katey:I said just keep working for it. Because I don't have a specific time. Like I don't have a specific day and my brain looking back where it finally clicked because I remember asking either students that were further along in the program, or recent graduates that I had been school with, you know what I mean? Like, not too far ahead of me, not the seasoned interpreters who, you know, but the ones who are just like that much ahead of me that are successful. I remember thinking and asking them, when did it finally click? Like, when did that happen? What did you do? And, and I don't have a specific moment, again, where I can say yes, that's when it clicked. That's when it finally happened. But I do remember a time period during my practicum. And, and during just some more consistent and frequent immersion, where I would get done either having a conversation or even some of my video relay calls. The we would just connect. And I'd hit pause for a minute, I'd be like, Wow, I did that. Yeah. Like, yeah, I may not have understood conceptually, fully what was going on on both ends of the conversation. But both ends of the conversation understood each other through me. So that's that was, you know what I mean? And I was like, Oh, wow. So
Tina:and the more of retelling the more Yeah. And it just builds and it builds, you know that hope so you feel you know, your self esteem. It's like I did that. And you learn from that and you will keep learning. I've been doing this for I've been doing video relay for what 16 years. Let me tell you, there's still a day. There's still days where it's like, oh my gosh, I did that. But one other thing I want to leave all of us with is interpreting is a hard job. And it is our job to make it look like it's not the swan in the water and I kind of mentioned it in our other podcasts and I'll close with this. You see a swan neck just glides across the water. But what you don't know is underneath their feet are paddling so hard to make them look that graceful. That's exactly what we do as interpreters. Katie, thank you so much. I wish you nothing but much more success in your in your career and your new marriage. It's so good to hear from you and I know everybody appreciate your words of wisdom. Thank you, Katie. Until next time,