Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Bassett.
Hi Jamie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Took ASL in high school, went to SLCC’s ITP, then UVU for a BA in Deaf Studies, then a MA from Gallaudet University in Washington DC with a Deaf Studies: Language and Human Rights degree. While there, I was also a professional interpreter with national certification.
I was an intern with WFD while I did a study abroad in Norway. I was able to visit 10 different countries, do some human rights work with WFD in a few, and learn International Sign. Now, I teach full time at UVU as the interpreting program coordinator, professional interpreter, mom, wife, and exercise enthusiast.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Financial aid, heartache/break ups, moving to different states and another country, coming home, identity changes, settling into one career with a lot of other passions at work on the side, lots of ups and downs but mostly ups and great lessons.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
Interpreting: various types, working with the Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities, teaching interpreting students, teaching workshops, mentoring, advocacy. Having deaf-centered interpreting is my greatest passion.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some changes you expect to see over the next five to ten years?
More online interpreting, some Virtual Reality coming in, or AI? Unsure.
Lots of people are getting cochlear implants today, so still pushing for bilingual language access is key and something we need to have more easily accessible to parents who have deaf children. (Giving them all the options from day one, not just the medical view and “fixing” deafness).
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @behealthybabes
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1PCYZT54s3bmGmzYuLmqAA
