"Regardless of whether your main focus is language or not, speaking a second or third language fluently will improve your career prospects and open your life to a cultural richness that is often overlooked by people who are monolingual. Seek experiences outside of the classroom and don’t get tunnel vision – maybe you have a fairly certain plan for yourself academically and professionally, but there is so much out there to explore and you may discover other areas of interest."
Major(s) and Certificate(s): Spanish; Certificates in Chicano & Latino Studies and Gender & Women’s Studies
Language(s): Spanish
Graduation Year: 2014
What motivated you to study this/these languages?
Like many, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do as a career when I started higher education in 2011. I believe the fact that I was a first generation college student also contributed to my lack of direction. I decided to focus on my interest at the time, which was to be bilingual, and continue with Spanish language studies. I had enjoyed and excelled in this subject during middle and high school. When I was a sophomore and began a certificate in Chicano & Latino Studies, I realized I could use my language skills to build and connect diverse communities within a single population.
What do you remember about your UW language classes? How were they different from other classes you took?
I remember UW language classes being a big step up from my high school Spanish classes in Wausau, Wisconsin. I took the placement exam and was able to start out in Spanish 226. I remember many other students being shocked that the entire class was conducted in Spanish from day one. Speaking and understanding Spanish was not just encouraged, it was a requirement to perform well. I saw it as a welcome challenge and, in my case, it confirmed my passion for language learning. Compared to other college courses, I liked the practicality. I was excited to use Spanish in my everyday life however and whenever I could.
How valuable were your out-of-classroom experiences? How did they add to your undergraduate experience/coursework?
Studying abroad in Lima, Peru as a junior transformed my understanding of the Spanish I had mostly learned and used in a classroom environment. It’s when things really started to “click.” I had a newfound confidence in my language abilities. I was also a member of the Wisconsin International Scholars Program, which gave me the opportunity to consider international topics and exposed me to how my peers had been and continued to be involved in academic and professional spaces outside of the United States.
What have you done in a professional capacity since graduating from UW-Madison?
Before graduating, I promised myself I would do anything and everything I could to use Spanish in my profession. That led me to try a number of different careers, including roles within education and social work. Through my work coordinating healthcare services for Spanish-speaking families, I found there was a huge need for interpreters and translators. After completing coursework at Madison Area Technical College and taking the certification exams, I became a Certified Healthcare Interpreter in 2017. I worked freelance for a few years, covering interpreting appointments for UW Health and SSM Health. I eventually joined the on-call team at St. Mary’s, where I gained experience in fast-paced environments like the emergency department and labor and delivery. After living in Ecuador with my husband from September 2018 to September 2019, we returned to Madison and I continued freelance work until I got a full-time Spanish interpreter position at Access Community Health Centers. In 2023, my husband was accepted to a master’s program at Harvard and I was able to secure a full-time Spanish interpreter position at Mass General, one of the top hospitals in the country, which is where I currently work. Over the years, I have also been slowly building my small business, Rimana Language Services, through which I offer interpreting, translation, and transcription.
What are ways, either expected or unexpected, that your language study has benefited you in your career?
As I anticipated, the need for Spanish-speaking staff in all fields has dramatically increased over the past decade. Immediately after graduation, I was able to dabble in different fields that were not necessarily on my radar because of my language skills. Now focusing on healthcare, I have continued to find many opportunities across the country and abroad. While living in Ecuador, I was approached to coach a team of bilingual medical students on the principles of good interpreting so they could better assist a U.S.-based group of medical students providing care to a community in the Amazon. It was one of the best experiences of my life, both professionally and personally. When my husband was accepted at Harvard, I quickly found a full-time position at Mass General Hospital but was generally overwhelmed by the number of healthcare systems in the area looking for qualified interpreters. There has been no shortage of work, whether that be freelance or in-house.
How have you maintained or improved your language(s) since graduation?
I have improved my language skills since graduation by continuously using Spanish in professional settings as well as my personal life. My husband and I are proud to be a bicultural, bilingual couple, where we mostly speak Spanish with his side of the family and English with my side of the family. I have also completed continuing education both to maintain my CHI certification and through the Translation and Interpreting Studies programs at UW-Milwaukee. What I love about healthcare interpreting is that you’re always learning new things and working with diverse populations. I have improved my comprehension skills even more so working on the East Coast, where the majority of Spanish speakers are Dominican, Puerto Rican, or Salvadoran, a significant change from the Mexican and Colombian Spanish most prevalent in Wisconsin.
What advice do you have for students who are studying language(s) about how to incorporate their interests and skills into their future goals?
Regardless of whether your main focus is language or not, speaking a second or third language fluently will improve your career prospects and open your life to a cultural richness that is often overlooked by people who are monolingual. Seek experiences outside of the classroom and don’t get tunnel vision – maybe you have a fairly certain plan for yourself academically and professionally, but there is so much out there to explore and you may discover other areas of interest. In my case, my work in interpreting has piqued my interest in the medical field and the possibility of becoming a healthcare provider in the future. Also, be on the lookout for mentors along the way – you’re not in your journey alone and there is a wealth of information in those around you. Different perspectives, lived experiences, and advice can be helpful to keep moving forward towards your goals.