The United Nations Department of Public Information hosted IRC in NY's Providing Opportunities for Women’s Economic Resilience (POWER) interpretation students for several field trips this past month.  The POWER interpretation program trains women with advanced language abilities in applying these skills towards careers in professional interpretation. The program not only assists participants in finding employment in the interpretation field but increases language access within their communities. 

POWER participants tour General Assembly.
POWER participants tour General Assembly.
Photo: Maria Sigalas

POWER participants had the option of attending three tours hosted by current staff interpreters at the UN. The tour discussed career pathways to becoming a UN staff interpreter, ways of improving language skills, UN language access needs, and interpretation best practices. Participants were shown around the different conference areas, as well as the simultaneous interpretation booths. At the end of the tour, students were brought to the interpreter lounge where there was a question and answer session with current interpreters from different language groups. Through these field trips, POWER participants had the opportunity to learn more about interpretation as a profession and experience UN interpretation first-hand. 

POWER participants tour the UN.
POWER participants tour the UN.
Photo: Maria Sigalas