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Current ASLIS Interns:

Past ASLIS Interns: Their Experiences And Where Are They Now

Kayleigh Soencksen

Summer 2018

As a new interpreter just entering the field, I was at first overwhelmed with all the possible avenues I might pursue. I was curious about the different capacities in which an interpreter might choose to serve. This desire for a diversity of experience led me to ASLIS. I have been given amazing opportunities to engage in medical appointments, college graduations, school sessions and much more. I have come to respect and appreciate the wisdom, professionalism, and kindness of every interpreter with whom I have had the pleasure of working!

I began this journey through the Carlstrom Interpreting Department at North Central University. I graduated this past May with a Bachelor’s Degree in American Sign Language Interpreting. When I have completed my internship with ASLIS, it is my hope to find work in a school as an educational interpreter while preparing for the National test. I also have a passion for theatrical interpreting, and hope to become involved in that discipline. In both arenas, it is my goal to grow in my skills and offer the best services I am able to both the Deaf and Hearing worlds.

Mary O’Connell

Goshen College (Goshen, Indiana)

Summer 2018

I chose ASLIS for my internship because I heard of all the opportunities in the Twin Cities area and wanted a vast array of interpreting experiences. During my time here, I have enjoyed meeting and working with interpreters of all ages, backgrounds and stages in their professional career. Some of the many places I have gone are medical appointments, business meetings, conventions, schools, and concerts. The interpreters I have worked with have impressed me with their professionalism and support of me as a new interpreter. The staff at ASLIS have been available when I have questions and very easy to communicate with. I appreciate the variety of opportunities and experiences I have gained during my time here and now have a more clear picture of all the kinds of work interpreters do, and how much it differs from job to job.

I am a double major at Goshen College in sign language interpreting and social work and will be returning to college this Fall to finish my social work major, graduating in May of 2019. After that, I hope to focus on freelance interpreting work for a few years to gain experience and continue to develop my skills. Eventually, I plan to combine my two majors and work in a social services setting with both hearing and Deaf individuals.

Amberlyn Kern

North Central University

Full Internship: January 2017-December 2017

Hello! My name is Amberlyn Kern. I am currently working as a freelance interpreter in the Twin Cities area. Having a passion for Deaf children, I am currently working towards jobs interpreting in elementary, as well as post-secondary, education. At the same time, I am continuing my own education by obtaining my master’s degree in Strategic Leadership, hoping to work in writing curriculum and partnering with the Deaf Community to make a positive difference.

Interning with ASLIS was such a privilege! They provided me with interpreters to speak into my life and hone my interpreting skills. I was able to experience many diverse fields of interpreting, receiving support and learning on the job. The workshops and training provided by ASLIS have also provided me with intentional insights of the life of interpreters, lessons such as how to pay taxes, and many insights into the richness of the Deaf Community. This time has certainly been invaluable to me professionally and personally.

Natalie Wilson

Saint Paul College

Spring and Summer 2017

I will be graduating from the Interpreter Training Program at Saint Paul College in Spring 2017. From there I will be pursuing my Bachelor’s degree as well as certification. My experiences so far interning with ASLIS have confirmed my interest in freelance interpreting. The mentorship from so many seasoned interpreters is second to none, and I have found the exposure to a variety of settings to be extremely valuable to my professional development. I am excited about my progress during my time with ASLIS, and I can’t wait to continue on this trajectory. I look forward to making even more connections in the interpreting community during the remainder of my internship.

Rebekah Johnson

North Central University

Full Internship: Sept 2017 – March 2017

Rebekah Johnson was a senior in the Carlstrom ASL Interpreting Department at North Central University in Minneapolis, MN while she completed her internship at ASLIS. The internship opportunity through ASLIS enabled her to explore various fields of interpreting, such as educational, medical, business, and theatrical. This internship provided many opportunities to continue to develop personally and professionally as an interpreter. It also afforded her the opportunity to make new connections within the Deaf and interpreting communities.

Since the completion of her internship, she have been continuing in volunteer work and taking occasional free-lance interpreting jobs. She will be finishing her second degree in Elementary Education at North Central University. She will also be working to earn her RID national certification. Upon completion of both degrees, she hopes to pursue a Master’s degree.

For individuals looking for an internship that will provide challenging, exciting, and skill-enhancing opportunities, consider applying at ASLIS.

Abby Kate Larson

St. Catherine University

Full Internship: January 2017-May 2017

Hello! My name is Abby Kate Larson, and I had the honor of interning with ASLIS from December 2016 to May 2017, during which time I worked towards graduating from St. Catherine University with a BA in ASL/English Interpreting. After graduating from St. Kate’s, my goals are to take the NIC exam and earn my certification so that I can continue to build my experience and skill in the interpreting field. My future goals include a specialization in government and legal interpreting, and I am also planning to continue my education on to graduate school to earn a degree in criminal justice in hopes to better serve the Deaf community in that way.

Working with ASLIS was such an incredible experience. This internship provided me with a network of over 50 working interpreters in the field that have acted as my mentors. I also was able to have working experience in so many different and challenging environments, including medical, government, post-secondary, theatrical, religious, and community interpreting settings. The time that I spent interning with ASLIS has undoubtedly played an enormous role in my skill development, knowledge of the field, and passion for the work. I would like to extend a special thank you to Katie Dinkel and Kassy Carlson for making my internship experience possible, the members of the Deaf community that graciously allowed an intern to be involved in their day-to-day lives, as well as all the mentors that spent their time and energy helping me to improve my skills.

Max Stauffer

Goshen College (Goshen, Indiana)

Full Internship: January 2017 – April 2017

I did a lot of research before choosing Minneapolis/St. Paul and ASLIS as where I wanted to do my three-month long internship, and I have to say that I am incredibly pleased with the experiences I have had over the past semester. I have had the chance to work with over 50 different interpreters in every setting from business meetings to medical appointments, and consequently through working with so many interpreters I have received a myriad of perspectives on my work. The internship coordinators and office staff were wonderful to work with and were available whenever I had questions. I feel like I have grown substantially throughout my time with ASLIS, both in my interpreting ability and professionalism. As someone from out-of- state, I highly recommend interning with ASLIS, since I have felt nothing but support from the Deaf and interpreting communities in the Twin Cities.

After graduation in May, I will be working as a freelance interpreter in Eastern Kansas. My experience with ASLIS has shaped how I interact with others on a professional level, and my time in Minnesota has shown me what the national standard for interpreting should be. I plan on implementing what I have learned about the interpreting process, professional skills, and a standard of quality of interpreting to my work in the future, wherever in the country that may take me.

Kassy Carlson

Saint Paul College

Full Internship: February 2015- April 2015

My experience as an intern: My internship at ASLIS prepared me well for freelance interpreting and helped me make connections in the interpreting community that continue to enrich my life today. Being able to mentor with multiple different interpreters was so beneficial because it gave me different perspectives on the interpreting process and how to match each consumer I work with. It also helped teach me to take responsibility for my own improvement while I interpret and organize my schedule well, which are extremely valuable skills especially in freelance interpreting. Additionally, I learned more about the kinds of interpreting I enjoy and what I’m uniquely suited to. The internship allowed me to explore different settings to find my niche. I will be forever grateful for all the experiences I had during my internship at ASLIS, and I would recommend this internship to anyone looking to improve their skills or learn more about freelance interpreting!

Where I’m at now: It’s now about two years after I graduated from Saint Paul College. I was hired by ASLIS as an interpreter referral specialist (scheduling interpreting assignments) shortly after graduating in 2015, and since then I’ve learned so much about the inner workings of an agency and the freelance field in general. It has helped me get to know the interpreters in the field, the consumers we work with, and how to best serve the companies who hire us. I’ve also had opportunities to be involved in planning and attending skills workshops that have greatly benefitted me as an interpreter, and I help schedule our agency’s new interns each semester for freelance jobs. I’m surrounded by co-workers who are passionate about Deaf consumer rights and finding creative ways to serve everyone we work with to the best of our ability. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to learn more about the background work agencies do before becoming a full-time interpreter myself. I am interpreting for ongoing church requests, the occasional play, and other freelance jobs here and there while working on getting my skills up to pass the certification test.

Logan Yakesh

North Central University (Minneapolis, MN)

Clinicals (observation hours) (January 2015- May 2015)

Full Internship (September 2015- May 2016)

After completing his internship with ASLIS, Logan went on to graduate from North Central University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interpreting. Less than a year after finishing his internship, he is working full-time as a freelance interpreter, having established work relationships with interpreters that helped him secure jobs interpreting theater, platform, post-secondary, as well as video-relay.

Throughout his time with ASLIS, Logan was able to experience a plethora of interpreting experiences-theater, business, medical, social services, education, and private practice. Interning for an amazing office staff, he was exposed to the real-world operations of an interpreting agency, and was able to work with some of the greatest interpreters the Twin Cities offers.

Tiana Boskovich

St. Catherine University

Spring 2016

Tiana Boskovich was born and raised in Minnesota. She is currently a senior at St. Catherine University. Tiana started interning with ASLIS in January 2016 and has experienced a variety of interpreting including: theater, post-secondary, medical, and more. After gaining general experience in interpreting, Tiana would like to specialize in legal interpreting. Outside of interpreting, she enjoys yoga, and outdoor activities.

Roxy Kennedy

Saint Paul College

Spring 2016

My name is Roxy Kennedy and I am an intern from Saint Paul college, in my last semester of the American Sign Language Interpreter/ Transliterator program. I am also in my last semester of my Individualized Studies Bachelor Degree from Metropolitan State University. I am very grateful and excited to join ASLIS as an intern and gain some knowledge about the interpreting field from experienced interpreters. I am very interested in learning more about K-5, dental, medical, Video Relay and veterinarian/animal related interpreting. Although those are my interests, I am open to learning more about what other paths freelancing has to offer as well to get the most out of this internship opportunity. My ultimate goal is to become a nationally certified interpreter through RID.

Jodi Monson

St. Paul College (Saint Paul, MN) 2014

Post-Graduation Mentorship: June 2014-Jan 2015

When people ask me what I do, I feel so fortunate and proud to say I am a sign language interpreter. Learning something new every day and constantly striving to improve my skills keeps me passionate in this profession. For the past two years, I’ve been an educational interpreter with ISD917 and work primarily in the middle school setting. I also volunteer in the adult education classroom at ThinkSelf and freelance when jobs seem to match my skill level. I have passed the EIPA with a 4.0, and plan on taking the NIC exam before 2019.

Completing ALSIS’s post-graduation mentoring internship in 2015 was of great benefit to me. I observed a multitude of skilled interpreters working in the full range of freelance settings. Gaining hands-up experience in such varied areas and receiving thoughtful feedback from the experts was invaluable. The opportunity to shadow and learn firsthand how these talented interpreters address demands and successfully navigate interactions continues to stay with me in my everyday work.

Justin Woodington

Idaho State University (Pocatello, ID)

Full Internship: March 2013 – August 2013

My name is Justin Woodington and I am currently interpreting as a pre-certified interpreter in the Twin Cities Metro Area. ASL Interpreting Services (ASLIS) has helped me gain the skills and confidence to become the interpreter who I want to be now and in the future.

With their variety of interpreting jobs, skilled interpreter mentors, and their close relationship with the Deaf community, it’s impossible not to improve your skills. Over the course of months my skills, ethical decision making, and confidence skyrocketed to places I could have never imagined! If you want to be the best interpreter that you can imagine, ASLIS is the place to help you become your vision of the best.

Keshia Farrand, NIC

(formerly Keshia Jenkins)

Saint Paul College (Saint Paul, MN)

Full Internship: February 2013 – May 2013

Since the conclusion of my internship in May, I have been freelancing around the metro and southern MN. ASLIS has been a tremendous asset as I work to build my reputation in the Deaf and interpreting communities. I made some excellent contacts in the interpreting community and have been fortunate to work with them even after my internship ended. I spent the summer and fall preparing for the NIC Performance and Interview exam – which I took about four weeks ago – and the interpreters and consumers I have worked with have been a great support throughout that time.

I would not trade my internship with ASLIS for anything. I was so fortunate to be able to work with so many amazing interpreters and learn from their experiences. My experience with ASLIS truly solidified my desire to work as a freelance interpreter.

Katie Young

North Central University (Minneapolis, MN)

Full Internship: October 2012 – February 2013

Where I’m at now:
After my internship with ASLIS I started doing freelance interpreting work, then I applied for and was accepted into Sorenson’s School-to-Work program in Salt Lake City. I did their three month intensive training program and am now back working in the Twin Cities splitting my time between VRS and freelance interpreting.

Internship Experience with ASLIS:
I absolutely loved my internship experience with ASLIS. It was very beneficial to be able to work in such a wide variety of settings, to be able to experience the diversity in the interpreting field. I also really enjoyed working with numerous different interpreters, it helped build up my network of people as well as exposed me to different styles of interpreting. I would highly recommend working with ASLIS for an internship; the range of experiences and interpreters available is invaluable.

Natalie Tebben

North Central University (Minneapolis, MN)

Clinicals (Observational Hours): June 2012-August 2012

ASLIS afforded me the opportunity to see interpreting in diverse settings. Each assignment was different, which allowd me to learn so much. Beyond the different settings, I also worked with many interpreters. This was especially beneficial because I could see each person’s interpreting and language style and way of handling demands. These experiences prepared me to determine what kind of interpreting I wanted to start my career in. Because Katie worked hard to make sure I experienced a school, even though it was summertime, I realized my interest in educational interpreting. Since completing my clinicals with ASLIS, I interned in educational settings and graduated from North Central University in May 2014. After graduating, I worked as an educational ASL Interpreter for two years and have recently started to do freelance work.

Christina Grant, NIC

North Central University (Minneapolis, MN)

Clinicals (Observation Hours): September 2011 – April 2012

Since finishing my internship with ASLIS in the Spring of 2012, I have graduated from North Central University. I took the NIC performance exam in June of the same year and passed on my first attempt. I have been working in Video Relay and doing community work since graduation.

My internship with ASLIS was an awesome experience. I greatly benefited from working with many incredible interpreters. I entered the field with skills and confidence and I know that this was a result of the wonderful mentoring I received from these interpreters. The Deaf Mentorship program was also a beneficial and crucial part of my internship. I owe a great deal to my Deaf Mentor and know I wouldn’t be where I am without the support I received there.

Harrison Jones, NIC

William Woods University (Fulton, MO)

Full Internship: February 2011- April 2011

I interned with ASLIS in the early spring of 2011. After completing my internship, I returned to William Woods University to graduate with honors in my ITP. I now work full time as one of three staff members at an interpreting agency, Bridge Interpreting, in Saint Joseph, Missouri and part time with Sorenson Communications as a VRS Interpreter. I help to schedule interpreters, provide sign language classes, and interpret in office and in the community. I also help manage our internship program, Skills Development Program, which I designed after my experience with ASLIS to help bring the amazing, structured and supportive experience I had back to Missouri. It is the first program of its type in the state and entirely thanks to my internship experience with ASLIS. I am now NIC certified as well as certified with Advanced certification in Missouri.

I LOVED my experience with ASLIS. After returning to my university and hearing the experience of my classmates, I realized that I had had an unparalleled experience that wasn’t available here in Missouri. My mentors were incredibly supportive of me and helped me to develop the necessary skills to become the successful interpreter that I am. I am still in contact with many of the interpreters I worked with during my internship and still count them among my close friends and professional advisors. The staff at ASLIS are amazing and always put their all into making each intern’s experience the most successful possible!

Cara Poalillo

North Central University (Minneapolis, MN)

Full Internship: September 2010-December 2010

In summer 2011, after completing my internship with ASLIS and graduating from my ITP at North Central University, I took and passed the EIPA. Then in the fall, I moved back home to New Jersey and began working as a freelance interpreter in the New York metro area. About 9 months after moving home I began working with an interpreting mentor and have continued that relationship to this day. Since fall 2012, I have been working as a part-time staff interpreter at a Deaf mainstream program in Hackensack High School. I also work as a freelance interpreter for a number of different agencies and community colleges in the area. I will soon be taking the NIC performance test and am currently in training to become an SSP for individuals who are Deafblind.

It amazes me when I realize I am still learning from my experiences from my internship at ASLIS. Interpreters’ comments and behaviors that stuck out to me during my intern days still find their way into my mind now, and have an impact on my work. I am grateful for all I gleaned from my time as an intern.

Patrice Herring

North Central University (Minneapolis, MN)

Clinicals (Observation Hours): January 2010-May 2010

My time with ASLIS pre graduating was quite the learning experience! I attended North Central University during which I obtained my Clinical requirements through ASLIS. NCU requires all ITP’s to go through an interpreting observation course for 100 – 150 hours called Clinicals. At the time of my Clinicals I had heard how great ASLIS was when dealing with pre-graduate terps. So I applied to their Internship Program explaining my unique situation. Lo and behold, the rumor weed was correct! I was quite the “high-maintenance” clinician, as I had a major unexpected personal event at the beginning of my observation hours that drained the very life out of me. A meeting with the ASLIS Internship Program Staff was held to discuss my handling ASLIS opportunities since the event took place. I learned: just how important it is to always keep lines of communication open with any employer, what “professionalism” looks like as an Interpreter, and how ready and able ASLIS is in helping you through that process, if you ask and let it be known. I graduated three years ago. I have since been in touch with ASLIS to become one of their many Non-Certified Interpreters.Whether pre-graduate or pre-certified, ASLIS has many opportunities waiting for you too. Check them out!

Jason Manning, NIC

North Central University (Minneapolis, MN) (graduated in 2011)

Clinicals (Observation Hours): January 2010-May 2010

My name is Jason Manning and I served as an intern with ASLIS in 2011 while completing my ITP hours requirement. After completing my hours, I graduated from North Central University with a B.A. in American Sign Language Interpretation and moved back to Washington, DC to start my professional interpreting career. After two years as a staff interpreter for an agency I decided to return to school to pursue a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling. Despite a change in career, interpreting remains to this day a vital skill for me, both professionally and financially. While in graduate school for the past three years, I have continued to interpret full-time in a number of different settings including medical, business, higher education, and VRS. I have obtained my National Interpreter Certification (NIC) and have taught ASL at Howard Community College, serving as an adjunct faculty member alongside deaf faculty in the world language department. I recently completed my graduate counseling degree and have entered a doctoral program.

I simply cannot overstate the value of my ASLIS internship, particularly in terms of preparing me for a career in interpreting. My success in the field is due in large part from my ASLIS experience, which provided me with challenging interpreting opportunities and a safe- supportive environment to hone my interpreting skills. I am forever grateful to ASLIS, and credit it with the amazing interpreting opportunities I have had at such a young age.

Hilary Riley

(formerly Hilary Myers)

Goshen College (Goshen, IN)

Full Internship: January 2010-April 2010

My internship with ASLIS was a once in a life-time experience. I had the opportunity to work with, what I believe, some of the best interpreters in the country. Not only did they welcome me with open arms but they used the opportunity to teach me skills that I have since passed on to new interpreters that I work with. The internship program itself is very well organized and was in constant communication with me. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to work with ASLIS during my most essential growing years. I am convinced I wouldn’t be the interpreter I am today with them.

Rachel Wingard, NIC

Bethel College (Mishawaka, IN)

Full Internship: February 2009- April 2009

Living in Decatur Illinois since May 2015. interpreting part time at Richland Community College and occasionally for University of Illinois Champaign. Busy with my family, taking care of Brendan (4 1/2) Aaron (3) and Adam (15 months). I miss the twin cities, all you wonderful interpreters, and the huge deaf community ❤

I was able to do my internship for my degree from Bethel College at ASLIS. It was a great experience and I saw a wide variety of interpreting ranging from medical appointments to concerts to business meetings to post-secondary. Some of my favorite memories are team interpreting a Celtic Women Concert with Pam, attending/interpreting for the fireside trainings right at ASLIS, and meeting TOP NOTCH Interpreters from the Twin Cities area!

Toni Schafer, NIC

(formerly Toni Ripplinger)

North Central University (Minneapolis, MN)

Partial Internship: May 2008-December 2008

I had the privileged to do freelance hours for my ITP internship through ASLIS. I was able to have one consistent mentor as well as many regular freelance jobs. This set up gave me the opportunity to gain perspective and knowledge about my own sign style and skill with a mentor, but also experience the struggle of finding a location, arriving on time, looking for the room. All of those great things that make a freelance world so much fun!

I have been professionally interpreting for 7 years. I still look back with thanks on all that I learned through my internship. I was able to gain friendships and trust with several interpreters as well as the confidence to continue learning and growing as an interpreter in the field.