Student Spotlight Series: Juan Palma

Meet Juan Palma, a seasoned professional of 17 years working with the city of Alexandria’s Behavioral Health Department. As an individual with a deep-seated passion for utilizing his bilingual skills, Juan began to interpret as another function of his position for those who needed assistance.

Recognizing the Need for Formal Training
Juan utilizes his fluency in Spanish and English in his department to provide interpretation services regularly. Although that is not the main operation of his job, it has become integral to his day-to-day life. As such, he decided to bolster his credibility by becoming professionally trained. "I've always been passionate about interpretation, but I knew I needed to enhance my knowledge," he shared. The dynamic nature of the field and increasing demand for qualified interpreters motivated Juan to explore opportunities for professional growth.

“There is so much need out there for interpreters, and people don’t seem to realize it until they come in contact with the need. There’s not much appreciation for the field and I think it's very undervalued what we do for a lot of people. And I think that’s changing a little bit,” said Palma.

Choosing the Academy of Interpretation
Juan's decision to enroll in the Academy of Interpretation was driven by their reputation for excellence in interpreter training. He valued the comprehensive curriculum and flexible learning options that allowed him to balance coursework with his full-time responsibilities.

“It’s been a lot of work but at the same time it is very, very interesting and satisfying”

Palma opted to take the 40-hour Professional Medical Interpreter course and the Interpreting in Public Schools workshop. "The trainings were well-structured, and I could study at my own pace," Juan noted, highlighting the AOI's supportive learning environment. “I basically needed to become more professionally trained in this particular field. That was my number one reason because I’ve been doing it for so many years in my department - I needed the proper training,” he added.

Juan details his experience with the AOI as extremely informative and one that assisted him with obtaining the credentials that affirmed his skills. “It wasn’t the first time that I had a training. About 10 years ago I had it, I qualified as a bilingual trainer but that was, again, 10 years ago. A lot of things have changed. So I decided to basically renew those skills and or at least to see what was different,” said Palma. He understands the need for continuing education, even as a seasoned professional.

Encouraged by his experience, Palma has already recommended the AOI to others as a resource for those seeking a career transition. “I have a friend whose mom is looking for a new type of work. She’s working with children, fully bilingual, and always had to do interpretation in various scenarios. I mentioned the AOI’s courses and thought it’d be a great opportunity for her.”

Advice to Future Interpreters
“Dedication is key for everything and you have to dedicate the time to do well”, Juan advises. He states that this will allow ease with learning and create a beneficial outcome. Palma encourages peers to pursue training that aligns with their career goals, emphasizing the transformative impact of education on professional development. “You could put aside just two hours a day for the training and complete all the assignments to ensure that the final test is easy for you,” added Palma.

So What’s in Store for Juan?
Juan plans to employ the skills he acquired during his training to continue interpreting in his department. He hopes to become an interpreter with a respected language service provider in Northern Virginia.

As Juan continues to evolve as an interpreter, he remains committed to excellence and upholding the highest standards in language services. He states, “It's my faith that people remember you for the quality of your work and I strive for that”. His journey exemplifies the transformative power of dedication and continuous learning in achieving professional success.

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