Living in Miami with $40,000-$45,000 a year, how is it ?

[Wonderful Jellal]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

From one interpreter to a future interpreter...let me address the job aspect of the post. When you have expectations of making around 40,000 a year...are you thinking of freelancing? Working with an agency? For a hospital? Courts? Will you be court certified at the state or federal level? You will need to be if you want to command a professional salary. Even if you don't have certification from the state or federal courts, most attorneys (freelancing) require interpreters to have certification when interpreting their depositions, which is the majority of work in Miami. On top of that, French is not common at all, it is Haitian Creole. I know the two are similar, but they are not the same. So, someone who is a French interpreter vs. a Creole Interpreter has a huge disadvantage in Miami. Russian, although not common, will get you higher rates, but I am not aware of any Russian language interpreters soley surviving off of just that language due to a lack of consistent work volume.

Also, how familiar are you with the US court and hospital systems? If you live in France and haven't lived in the US as an adult, you will once again be at a major disadvantage in this country in general.

Likewise, in the US there aren't really any BA or majors in interpreting and translating (although there are programs and Masters). This is because intepreting is viewed as a vocation here. Having passed tests doesn't necesarilly mean you can itnerpret...which is why you can even become a certified court interpreter here with only a high school diploma (assuming you passed the certification exams). So, just having a BA in the field won't be a major tool in your favor either. You are going to need to get experience here, in the field first, and then join professional organizations, network and become familair with the system and get certified due to the lack of importance given to a foreign BA in interpreting.

I think it is good that you have multiple languages to fall back on, yet be careful. Many people here are skeptical of multilingual interpreters because they are usually known to be passive interpreters (they can accurately interpeter INTO a certain language but can't necessarily convey the same accuracy going back into the other). The terminology used in the USA is endless and very legal-esq to say the least and adapting the array of legal and medical jargon into multiple languages is very challenging.

Of course, knowing Spanish is a pro, but then again there are so many certified Spanish interpreters out there already, it isn't a salvation either.

In your case I would strongly recommend you become certified through the State Courts in Spanish and French and if you have a gift for languages, learn Creole and then you would make your 40-50k a year easily. Other than that, doing random, informal interpretations and translations will be sporadic work at best and the compensation will leave a lot to be desired. You also have translation agencies in Miami to apply at as well as telephonic interpreting-there you could make a decent amount of money with multi languages other than in Spanish.

Good luck and if you want any info about getting certification, local agencies, you can private message me.

Thank you for all these details
Maybe it's not a good idea ! I'll study more, I'll have a master degree in the international trade and will use my language skills to have a very well-paid jobs ($70,000 a year)

[Eldemila]

Easy to do if you're level headed and not the kind of person who has to "keep up with the Joneses" have the latest and greatest of everything, and has to have it right now. Aren't the type of person who's a spend-thrift, knows the value of a dollar, be a fairly decent shopper and know what you can afford and what you can't. If you aren't one to try and be something your not to impress others. Knows how to cook, not someone who goes out to eat each day.

Being you are young, it's not to say you don't go out and have a good time. Just know the limits you have. Don't buy something on credit if you don't have the funds, or intention, to pay it off when the bill arrives. Too many people are buying things they know they can't afford only to get deeper in debt (and then file bankrupcy and let others pay for it in the long run) How many people buy things because it's a good deal, on sale and then put it on credit, not pay it off, pay interest on it and end up paying well over what they "think" they bought it for! Just don't fall in to this trap as the majority of people tend to do, especially young people.

My friends kids don't know (or care) about the value of a dollar and have gotten deep in debt at such a young age. I taught my kids better, thank goodness! They know the value, they know what they can afford, and they live accordingly and honestly, they are quite happy.

And do remember, a job is not all about the money. I always told my kids, "it's your decision on what you do in life, it's not about the money, it's about if you enjoy your job, if you enjoy going to work each day and you live a comfortable life. You don't have to be rich, but I don't want you to struggle either." Do what you love and love what you do, to me that's first and foremost. Do that, and the money will follow because you'll be happy and do a job your proud of and that will be recognized.

Do you have any idea how many people in this world that make a ton of money that aren't happy? Yeah, I'm sure we can all think of quite a few, public and non-public figures we know of. People in our own family that fit the bill.

So, to answer your question if this is possible to live on this income here, it is, but it all depends on how you think, what you want and what you expect.
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Best of luck!

[Wonderful Jellal]

Originally Posted by Eldemila

Easy to do if you're level headed and not the kind of person who has to "keep up with the Joneses" have the latest and greatest of everything, and has to have it right now. Aren't the type of person who's a spend-thrift, knows the value of a dollar, be a fairly decent shopper and know what you can afford and what you can't. If you aren't one to try and be something your not to impress others. Knows how to cook, not someone who goes out to eat each day.

Being you are young, it's not to say you don't go out and have a good time. Just know the limits you have. Don't buy something on credit if you don't have the funds, or intention, to pay it off when the bill arrives. Too many people are buying things they know they can't afford only to get deeper in debt (and then file bankrupcy and let others pay for it in the long run) How many people buy things because it's a good deal, on sale and then put it on credit, not pay it off, pay interest on it and end up paying well over what they "think" they bought it for! Just don't fall in to this trap as the majority of people tend to do, especially young people.

My friends kids don't know (or care) about the value of a dollar and have gotten deep in debt at such a young age. I taught my kids better, thank goodness! They know the value, they know what they can afford, and they live accordingly and honestly, they are quite happy.

And do remember, a job is not all about the money. I always told my kids, "it's your decision on what you do in life, it's not about the money, it's about if you enjoy your job, if you enjoy going to work each day and you live a comfortable life. You don't have to be rich, but I don't want you to struggle either." Do what you love and love what you do, to me that's first and foremost. Do that, and the money will follow because you'll be happy and do a job your proud of and that will be recognized.

Do you have any idea how many people in this world that make a ton of money that aren't happy? Yeah, I'm sure we can all think of quite a few, public and non-public figures we know of. People in our own family that fit the bill.

So, to answer your question if this is possible to live on this income here, it is, but it all depends on how you think, what you want and what you expect.
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Best of luck!

I'm pretty conservative about spendings so it's ok; I got it I hate debts, too risky