A day in the life: Cornella

Category: Study at NSCC

American Sign Language / English Interpretation student, Cornella

Name: Cornella Steele
Program: American Sign Language / English Interpretation
Campus: Ivany Campus
Class: 2024

Why did you choose your program?

As a Coda (Child of a Deaf Adult), I was always surrounded by the Deaf community and therefore interpreters were a part of my life. I ended up working with many interpreters through other careers I held before I started my journey at NSCC. Collaborating alongside interpreters really inspired me to take the leap to begin my own journey in this profession.

What's your favourite part of studying at NSCC?

I absolutely love the faculty! They really challenge me and bring out everyone's individual talents. I won't lie the campus' location is also amazing, nothing beats the view of the harbour.

ASL/English interpretation students use technology like Ipads to record themselves during class time to practice interpretation skills.

Interpreting students use filming technology to practice and review their work and assignments.

What surprised you most about your program at NSCC?

How supportive the faculty is, they made sure that we, as individuals, were learning in ways that best suit us.

What does a typical day look like in your program?

Days are split into halves: we have one class in the morning and another in the afternoon. There is usually one day per week where we only have a half day. We're on campus by 9 and moving around the classroom to accommodate the needs for each class. Sometimes we are in small groups ready to interpret, while other days we are in a semi-circle having discussions with our teachers.

We often get mid class breaks for hydration (coffee is a must for me), it's a great way to break up the class and debrief with classmates or even get some sunlight in between.

What types of projects and assignments do you do in this program?

We do a lot of reflections on our own work and on articles and journals we read. It requires a lot of vulnerability to look for the answers within ourselves. We also sample our interpreting through an online platform. We have assignments and projects where ASL is the language used and I find myself on camera quite often, it's a great tool to review what we put out in the world.

What advice would you give someone who was interested in taking the American Sign Language/English Interpretation program?

To be open minded and excited to get involved in a whole new world. The world gets that much smaller when you become an interpreter. The more willing you are to learn a little about everything the better. We are constantly learning as interpreters and that willingness will take you places you never imagined.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?

I'm hoping to work within the post-secondary field as well as convention and conference interpreting. The love for learning never ends as an interpreter.

Is there anything you'd like to add?

We all have such diverse backgrounds and that lived experience is essential. Don't forget that you bring value to the work and most importantly, have fun and learn something new.