Today I attended a GIS workshop about the NIC test, the latest version of certification for interpreters. It was $50 and I earned 0.6 CEUs. I knew nothing about the NIC so I went with the intention of learning more so I could take the test.
Instead, I learned that I don’t want to take the test. It seems really hard and really stressful, not to mention really expensive. If I didn’t have my CI/CT certifications, I’d definitely do it. But considering that passing the NIC doesn’t get me a raise, it just gets me a couple of letters after my name…no thanks. It would be like having a Ph.D. in abnormal psychology, and a Ph.D. in deviant psychology. So close to being the same thing, that they basically are the same thing.
Besides, having CI/CT is equivalent to having NIC, or CSC. They’re all the “top national certification exam,” just from different eras…having an older certification means you’ve been interpreting longer, that’s all.
Again, if I weren’t certified, I’d go for it, and I’d probably pass. But I just don’t want to spend the cash or feel stressed out over something I personally don’t need.
Oh, a funny thing to add about the workshop! When we were practicing voice interpretation, it was kind of hard because we could hear other teams of two voicing for each other as well. But I took out my hearing aids, and all that background chatter (which would have thrown me off) got turned into a low and unintelligible background hum. Cool!
Very interesting post. BTW, I love the theme of the blog! Well done!
I understand how you feel, why take the test if it will not change anything. You listed all the reasons not to take the test, but why did you go in the 1st place. I’m just wondering if you were you just wanted the certificate for yourself, to know you could pass it.
I’m sorry that you didn’t have a more positive outlook once you left the workshop. I wonder who the presenter was that could make you that discouraged. I teach a workshop on the NIC. I’m one of the few who teach about the NIC who are actually qualified to do so. Many people who have never even taken this test are trying to teach others how to pass when they, themselves, have not yet passed. I invite you to join us some time. I can promise that you will walk away amped and READY to take this test! Feel free to contact me at any time.