Decoding VRS Interpreting: 10 Pros and Cons Laid Bare
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Have you thought about a career in VRS interpreting?
Today, we will delve into the nitty-gritty behind VRS interpreting, giving it to you straight. These insights highlight both the benefits and drawbacks of the industry, and though call centers are not ubiquitous, if you’re considering a career in VRS and happen to be near one, here are the crucial pros and cons laid bare.
Pros:
Before we examine the challenges of a VRS interpreting, let’s explore the rewarding aspects and opportunities that a career in VRS interpreting offers.
1. Demand and Job Security
The growing awareness and legal mandates for accessible communication have increased the demand for qualified VRS interpreters, providing stable work. Few other places will you be able to find work available year round, day or night, weekday or weekend. Video relay service is a 24 hour, 7 day a week operation.
2. Flexible Schedule
Flexible schedule allows interpreters to fit VRS in their life where VRS fits their schedule. Oftentimes VRS interpreters will schedule their VRS shifts around their community work or their personal life. For example, an interpreter may work in a K-12 classroom during the school year while providing VRS services after school. Once school is out of session (i.e. summer break), that same interpreter may increase their hours providing VRS services. This flexibility allows interpreters to make VRS work for them and their schedule.
3. Job Satisfaction
VRS work can leave interpreters feeling highly satisfied in terms of the consumers they serve. This is especially true when a VRS interpreter gets to deliver messages that communicate milestones and nails the message. That feeling of satisfaction one gets for a job well done is the type of stuff that keeps the VRS interpreter coming back for more.
4. Professional Growth and Development
The VRS field offers continuous opportunities for growth and development, from honing your voicing skills to expanding your ASL vocabulary. Just as in anything, the more you do it, the better you get. This ongoing practice not only sharpens your skills but also deeply enriches your understanding of Deaf culture and the nuances of ASL.
5. Compensation
Interpreters enjoy reliable income with bonuses for holiday pay and differential pay rates for shifts in need of interpreters. Those in full-time positions benefit from benefit packages, including paid time off, 401(k) plans, and health insurance. Additionally, depending on employment status, employers may also cover certification costs.
Cons
While the benefits of working as a VRS interpreter are substantial and rewarding, it’s essential to also consider the challenges and pressures that come with the territory.
6. Physical Strain
The repetitive nature of sign language interpreting can lead to physical strain and injuries, particularly affecting the hands, arms, neck, and back. For example, Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) is a common complaint. This injury may require the interpreter to take significant amounts of time off for the RSI to properly heal. Given that an interpreter’s hands are their lifeblood, this is a significant drawback to working in the VRS environment.
7. Emotional and Mental Fatigue
VRS interpreters are required to answer every call they receive, including those that are emotionally taxing which may lead to vicarious trauma. An example of this is interpreting a confrontational exchange where one party yells at another, placing the interpreter in the challenging position of conveying messages that may conflict with their personal values or feelings. This vicarious trauma is exhausting and can lead to interpreter burnout. In addition, the sheer volume of work (4 to 6 calls per hour) is enough to leave any interpreter mentally depleted.
8. Feelings of Isolation
VRS interpreters spend the majority of their workday in front of a computer screen, encapsulated within the confines of a cubicle, and immersed in back-to-back calls through a headset. This digital barrier, coupled with the transient nature of each call, significantly limits personal interactions, fostering a sense of isolation even among a sea of conversations. The repetitive and enclosed work environment can evoke the feeling of being on a never-ending treadmill, where personal connections are fleeting.
Whether in an office or working remotely, the challenge of isolation is prevalent, especially during extended shifts. To combat this, it’s crucial for interpreters to seek out and engage in meaningful interactions with colleagues during breaks, creating a sense of community and belonging outside the bounds of their virtual interactions.
9. High Pressure
Working as a VRS interpreter involves navigating a high-pressure environment where the expectation for perfection is constant, especially during intricate or pivotal exchanges. Interpreters face the added stress of managing hearing callers’ discomfort with silence. This can escalate quickly during moments taken to clarify fingerspelling or concepts, often leading to impatient “Hello?” inquiries that imply abandonment.
Moreover, the reluctance of some VRS companies to support team interpreting— it doesn’t help their bottom line —further compounds the pressure, placing the onus solely on the interpreter to manage these challenges single-handedly. This relentless demand for accuracy and speed, combined with limited support, underscores the high-pressure nature of VRS interpreting.
10. Insufficient wages and Limited Career Advancement
Despite the steady paycheck, VRS interpreters may earn as little as $20 per hour. This is a pittance when compared to the skills, abilities, and fortitude required to provide VRS services. In addition, VRS companies offer limited opportunities for advancement. Sure, one can go into management or become a VRS trainer, but those positions are few and come with their own challenges, including a pay cut!
Conclusion
A career in VRS interpreting offers a unique blend of rewards and challenges, demanding resilience and passion. Ultimately it is up to each individual interpreter to decide whether VRS is the place for them. We hope that this list will help you along your journey in your interpreting career.
Still not sure if VRS is right for your career? Ask us your questions down below!
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