Are you ready?

It's a dry spell and you want work. You are cold called by a random agency you've never heard of asking if you can work tomorrow at 9am. "yes!", you think but hold your cool enough to ask, "until when?"

The agency replies, "depositions usually last a couple of hours."

Deposition=law. Your certified but not with a law specialty.

--you accept the job anyhow because it's all interpreting anyhow.
--you accept because although you aren't certified with law, you are qualified.
--you turn it down because your not qualified and kick yourself for being unprepared for an opportunity
--you turn it down but give the agency the name of another interpreter who is qualified and certified.

My kid is calling

Your at work. Your client is set up and won't need you until break. So you pull out a book and read. Then your phone vibrates.

--you slip out and take the call. No one needs you anyhow.
--you ignore it. Anyone important would text anyhow.
--you see it's your child. You have to take it! (or do you?)
--what are your options?

Here's a job for you

It appears as though a coworker-though not an interpreter-will be budget cut. After hearing her situation, you notice an add in the paper/blog/listserv about a job which may suit her. You print the job description and bring it into her.

Supporting a colleague or overstepping your boundaries?

But it's my break!

You work all day, on-going at one location. You get a prep period to eat lunch and catch up on things, which may include preparing for a class. Occasionally you are asked to give up your prep to interpret.

Do you
-guard your prep with the ferocity of a tiger?
-agree to give up your prep occasionally because you are being paid through the prep so you can be available?
-agree to interpret during your prep but request another time slot be set aside for your prep?

What are the benefits and downsides to each option?

One drink, please

You are interpreting at a social event where people are drinking. You don't drink while on assignment. Period. It isn't professional. Plus, it's against agency policy. But even if your agency was silent on the issue, you wouldn't drink on assignment.

You are politely sipping your water when a guest at the function brings you a glass of white wine. You will be with this guest most of the evening and he was clearly uncomfortable with your teetotaling. You accept the wine with a gracious smile.

-Do you drink the glass and get another later in the evening?
-Do you keep the glass on hand so when people ask, you can say you have a drink?
-Do you explain you can't drink while working?
-Do you claim to practice a religion that forbids alcohol?
-What are your other options? What are the repercussions of each decision?

A few minutes in the life of a Sign Language Interpreter

After getting a chuckle out of the video--who hasn't been there--think about the interpreters responses. Yes, we would all like to be a bit snarky sometimes. What we need to be is respectful. Have fun. Enjoy your job. Smile. Heck, crack a joke. But remain kind and professional.