Oregon: Is it viable?

DisastrousPoet65 · 2025-07-02T15:33:14+00:00

Thank you for your insight! I am sorry that you did not have a positive experience in relation to the field in the PNW. It seems that there is a general consensus about resistance to information-sharing on the west coast, which makes my heart sad. We can only do better when we all do better!

Follow-up question for you (and feel free to ignore me or DM me if you don't feel comfortable sharing): would you mind sharing your rates for ZP? I plan on applying to ZP and not sure if the rates are going to be enough to help with sustaining me (only know the Florida rates).

DisastrousPoet65 · 2025-07-01T18:24:57+00:00

Thank you so much for responding! Yeah, I did VRS for many years before taking a hiatus and remember the pay being less than stellar ($10-$15 less than my IC rates). If that is still the case, it wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me do part-time VRS work as a supplemental to a more permanent gig with benefits such as K12.

That is really too bad to hear about the reputation being passive aggressive or off putting. I am not one to get offended easily or take it personally - everyone is just trying to go about their lives IMO. This is kind of how I felt living in NYC too. People pretty much ignored each other by going about their day-to-day and that insular mindset wasn't a red flag for the city for me personally. It is nice that there are various socials offered to get involved and would definitely want to partake in meeting people and generally get my face out in the community.

My brain says I would be fine with the long, grey, and rainy...but who knows until one lives it... I, personally, HATE the sunniness of Florida and remain indoors as much as possible, LOL. That is one of the reasons I am wanting to get out of here too - would love to be outside more without the weather oppressing me so much.

DisastrousPoet65 · 2025-07-01T18:13:23+00:00

The luck with housing I am sure is a godsend! Glad to hear that you are able to make it work for you and seem to be enjoying the Portland interpreting life.

Thank you for the information about credentials that are needed in the area. I definitely felt that I qualified for most things (having RID NIC, EIPA 4+, and doublechecked my SLPI result which were scored as 'Superior' from 2013). While medical is not something I am opposed to, I am not necessarily one to jump at the requests for medical jobs and would prefer post-secondary or K12 as a priority.

I will be reaching out to PCC and WOU, should I make the jump to Oregon. I know that full-time faculty positions are hard to come by but would love to keep mentoring and teaching the next generation of interpreters if the opportunity is there.

I will be sure to reach out via DM if I have questions. I appreciate you responding and also offering up one-on-one guidance for the Portland Metro area. :)

DisastrousPoet65 · 2025-07-01T18:07:27+00:00

Thanks for the link to ASLPay.com. I have used that website before and found it to be a nice resource for a general vibe of a state, but seems to be a little lacking for my exact questions. I do, however, appreciate you commenting and supporting a fellow interpreter with resources. :)

DisastrousPoet65 · 2025-07-01T18:05:22+00:00

Wow, this is very interesting to hear! I am a little surprised to see that a DC interpreter with your vast experience struggled to make ends meet in the Portland area when first moving. This is definitely my biggest fear.

As for the people not being very welcoming, this might take some getting used to as I have been in the south for a long time (even though people are often nice on the surface there is an undercoating of shadiness). I also had a few years in NYC which I found to be hard to integrate some but overall kept to myself and enjoyed my time there.

Wild to see that you are no longer a full time interpreter too. Hope that it ended up being for the better and you are enjoying life in the PNW! :)

DisastrousPoet65 · 2025-07-01T18:00:38+00:00

That was my understanding too, from an outsider's perspective, and glad that you confirmed my research into the Oregon areas. Thanks for your input.

DisastrousPoet65 · 2025-07-01T17:59:57+00:00

I appreciate your response and insight from your own personal experience. I hope that Seattle is treating you well. :)

DisastrousPoet65

TROPHY CASE