A Message in the Use of Technology While Interpreting

As we all know technology is an inevitable part of doing and performing business in this era of fast moving technological advances.  Technology has invaded the interpreter world just as fast as it has in all other businesses.  In fact, technology in the interpreting industry has gone as far as replacing some humans.  Sound familiar?  The survival of interpreters is dependent on their ability to adapt and learn how to use new techonolgy.

At a recent conference organized by the Unversity of Massachusetts Medical Center one of the courses being offered was titled " Using Technology". Of course, UMAS Medical Center is at the forefront of the nuances of our industry.  The pricipal message of this course, which was led by a Stewart Healthcare employee, who's name I'll not mention as I did not get her permission to do so, was that interpreters today must not fear technology or fear being replaced by it.  What interpreters must do today to continue to have success in this industry is embrace technology, learn to use it, and continue to diversify their experiencial portfolio in order to create multiple sources of income and increase their value to employers.

After sitting through an hour and a half of an interactive lecture I was pleased to hear that there are real visionaries in this industry who can articulate the message required to motivate interpreters young and mature to continue to develope their skills and not fear change.  In management we call this kind of leader a change agent. Moreover, the lectureer can, in addition to holding this title, be classified as a transformational leader.  Inspirational in her message and detailed in how to achieve success, while offering herself as an individual that one can contact at any time to discuss her vision in greater detail, she came across as an exceptional leader. 

Well, Stewart has selected the right person to lead their Interpreter Services Departments in all of their Hospitals in New England.  Her message is right on target and each interpreter in our industry should embrace it and run with it if they are to survive in our industry.

Futhermore, let me add that for 3 years I have been influential in attaining technological change in one hospital.  It is here where the idea started and an Interpreter Services Coordinator close to me has actually been the behind the scenes change agent. This individual has for years been meeting with the states interpreter services focus group and sharing her own experiences with the institution of new technologies at the facility where she is employed.  I won't mention her name either. However, she knows who she is.  I thank her very much for embracing my efforts to modernize the way we as interpreters perform our duties day to day.

We have additional nuances to embrace and our future is bright.  Interpreters, I would like to echo the message and add to it.  Embrace the technology by becoming an efficient user of its functions.  Learn what changes are occurring in our industry and get yourselves schooled on its uses immediately so that you can be part of the developement/implementation process.  In other words "don't follow, lead!".