Careers Working With Deaf People
An individual who’d like to work with deaf people has plenty of opportunities to choose from. People who work with the deaf community work in a wide variety of environments. Depending on the type of work a person chooses, he or she may even travel around to various locales to work with the deaf. The following are a few examples of careers for people who would like to use their talents to serve deaf people.
A teacher in the field of deaf education is one of the most rewarding career options for someone interested in working with the deaf. Teachers of the deaf work in institutions for deaf education as well as in public schools that offer classes for the deaf. Furthermore, a teacher of the deaf may use his or her education and skills to instruct young students as well as adults. Guiding deaf students in learning various academic subjects and effective communication skills are just two of the responsibilities of a teacher of the deaf. A person who’d like to become an instructor of people with deafness needs to earn both a Bachelors and a Master’s degree in deaf education. He or she should also take courses that enlighten them on the elements of deaf culture.
Another option for someone who wants to work with the deaf community is work as an interpreter. Interpreters are needed in many places where deaf people go. They work in hospitals, schools, churches, businesses, and government agencies. One qualified interpreter may be employed full-time by a hospital to interpret for deaf people who have appointments or other business there. Another interpreter may work as a freelancer and go wherever his or her skills are needed. In order to be successful, an interpreter must have a thorough knowledge of American Sign Language, graduate from interpreter training courses, and earn certification. Many interpreters for the deaf have college degrees. Part of an interpreter’s training must include garnering knowledge of deaf culture to have a degree of understanding of those he or she is serving. An interpreter for the deaf must be dedicated to his or her work of communicating the words of deaf people in an accurate manner.
A specially trained counselor can work in a career that serves the needs of the deaf community. Furthermore, there are a variety of counseling areas to choose from. For instance, a person can become a vocational counselor for people with deafness. He or she would be charged with helping the person figure out what types of careers to investigate. The counselor would then help the person evaluate some possible companies and employers. Alternatively, a counselor who works for an institution of deaf education would counsel the students who resided at the school. In addition, to giving students with deafness guidance, the student residence counselor would help with various student activities. Depending on the type of counseling a person is interested in, a Bachelor’s degree will likely be a requirement. An understanding of deaf culture would also help the counselor to better empathize with deaf students.
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