Jennifer Yocum

"I'm going to University of Tennessee to learn to be an interpreter for the deaf!" I excitedly shared my plans with my parents during dinner after I have attended the 1997 Student Government Association Conference at JSU. During the conference, my classmates and I sat behind the students from the Alabama School for the Deaf, and I found myself completely focused on their interpreter the entire time, not paying attention to whatever the speaker(s) were saying. Before coming to the conference, I did not know what an interpreter was. I waited until the conference ended before walking over to the interpreter and introduced myself, then asked questions wanting to know what she was doing and where she learned to do it.

Several years later (May 2004, to be exact), I graduated with a B.S. in Human Services with concentration in Educational Interpreting from the University of Tennessee-just as I told my parents I would. However, my first job after graduation was not to interpret for the deaf but, instead, started as a Case Manager with Early Intervention at the Arc of Calhoun County. The following week after I started working, my high school sweetheart and I got married.

However much enjoyment I have had working at the Arc, my desire to interpret for the deaf was still strong. Despite already working 40 hours a week at the Arc, I went ahead and signed on to be a Contract Interpreter for JSU in January of 2005. Two months later in March, I became officially hired as Staff Interpreter. Not only do I get to interpret, but I also do C-print captioning and assist in scheduling support services for DSS.

With my love for interpreting so strong, I also work with the deaf ministry at Hill Crest Baptist Church in Saks, Alabama where my husband and I attend church. Michael and I currently live in Pleasant Valley with our two precious kids: Rutley the cat and Dixie the Boxer.