by William Giller
The goal of the NCTA Member Spotlight is to showcase our association’s diverse and multitalented members. Up next: current NCTA Events Director Noemi Gonzalez-Rocha
1. When did you first join the NCTA?
2012
2. What motivated you to stay an NCTA member?
The feeling of community (I’ve met amazing people who are now lifelong friends) and the value of being part of a valued institution. As a solopreneur, the collective knowledge and support of the community is very empowering and provides a strong feeling of belonging.
3. Are you more of a translator? Interpreter? Both?
I’m both!
4. What is your language pair?
English <> Spanish
5. Care to share a memorable professional anecdote?
Two! The first one happened while I worked as a healthcare interpreter (I currently do mostly court and community interpreting). After having a very engaging interpreted consultation with their patient, the provider turned to me and said, “Ms. Gonzalez, I know we were speaking through you but I forgot you were here!” That’s my gold standard, when people see their interlocutor and engage as though they’re speaking directly to each other. This is important in any setting but particularly in a healthcare setting, where the provider seeing the humanity of their patients may impact the quality of their care.
The second one happened while interpreting at the board of directors meeting of a faith-based nonprofit organization. In that particular meeting, the board discussed budget and finances, which were reported to be very healthy! At the end of the meeting, the board’s co-chair, a priest, offered a closing prayer. He thanked the Lord for the profits…or so I understood. It turns out, he was thanking the Lord for the prophets, like Martin Luther King, Jr. The meeting was on MLK Day. The priest and the other board members thought it was hilarious when I realized my mistake and offered a correction.
6. What is something notable you have learned from an NCTA meeting or colleague?
So many things but here’s a big shout out to my wonderful friend and colleague Pam Gastelum, who geeked out on me on a certain CAT tool. She translated a document while we hung out after a day at the ATA conference a couple of years ago, just so I could see how great it was! Of course I bought that tool the following day! BTW, I met Pam in 2013 through NCTA!
7. What do you think the biggest challenge our industry faces today?
Fear. Fear of evolving technology, fear of the impact of the economy on our small businesses, fear of competition. A strong anecdote to this is coming together, sharing ideas, collaborating and innovating together.
8. Outside of work, what can you be found doing?
Hiking, eating and, after a long hiatus, Toastmasters!