Internships

Why do an Internship?  

By taking all of the required classes for a Deaf Studies degree, you can build a strong foundation of practical and theoretical knowledge. An internship is the next step to take that information and put it into real life practice, while building relationships with people in the Deaf and Interpreting communities! For interpreting students it allows you the chance to work with a certified mentor, face and learn how to respond to ethical situations, and put your interpreting skills to work in a supported setting. It’s also a valuable experience where you can learn more about yourself and what areas in the interpreting field you enjoy best. A Deaf Studies internship also provides the opportunity to learn more in depth about the Deaf and/or Interpreting community. Overall, internships are an invaluable growing experience in your journey towards graduation. They can be stressful, but if you follow the steps and information in this guide, you will be well on your way towards success!

Apply for an internship

Deaf Studies Internship

campus exterior in spring
Deaf Studies Internship Apply

Interpreting Internship

campus exterior in fall
Interpreting Internship Apply

FAQ/Tips and Tricks

 

Disclaimer:

Internship procedures vary based on who is the internship coordinator. Don’t use this resource as a substitute for communicating with the current internship coordinator. If you have any questions that aren’t covered, don’t hesitate to reach out!

  • Don’t wait until the last semester to do all three credits of your internship, because the hours will add up quickly and can be hard to schedule and balance with your class load! Additionally, it can be hard to find internships to get 180 hours in one semester.
  • Start looking for internships as early as possible. You can talk to other students to learn what they did and there's no harm in reaching out and building connections with people you may want to intern with. It will make the process less stressful than leaving it to the last minute.

When should I do my internships?

  • Internships are typically done during your senior year.
  • Start looking for internships as early as possible. You can talk to other students to learn what they did and there's no harm in reaching out and building connections with people you may want to intern with. It will make the process less stressful than leaving it to the last minute.
  • Here is a helpful example of how you could complete your interpreting internship requirements: During the first semester of your senior year, do one credit of an observation internship. Then for your second semester, do the remaining two credits in a hands-on interpreting internship. This schedule can help you be more ready and prepared as well as reducing how many hours you need to complete in one semester.

Who is eligible for an internship?

  • For a Deaf Studies internship there are no specific class requirements that need to be completed prior to the internship.
  • For an interpreting internship, you must have passed the Knowledge Exam from the Utah Interpreter Program and be eligible for a Temporary Student Permit or certified. You also should have completed the following classes: Ethics for Interpreters (4370), Consecutive Interpreting (3350), and Simultaneous Interpreting (3360). If you want to do an internship before meeting these requirements, check with the internship coordinator.

What applies for an internship?

  • Simple answer: you have to be using ASL.
  • An interpreting internship means you are interpreting with a mentor observing and giving you feedback. An observation interpreting internship means you are observing a certified interpreter working. A Deaf Studies internship can be writing and reading research, planning an event with a deaf organization, and more. It involves ASL but doesn’t have to involve interpreting.

Who can be a mentor for my internship?

You need a mentor who has one or more of the following certifications: NIC, Utah: Professional, EIPA 4.0+.