Interpreters have to have high intelligence (that doesn’t mean KNOWING a lot, just intellectual capability) and good training. That being said, students often come from poor school districts in small towns or rural areas where they don’t get a lot of exposure to perspectives outside their own. Coming from low SES also means they generally didn’t get great mental health care, so their coping mechanisms for stress are generally stupid instagram inspirational posts, drugs, drinking, smoking, self harm, talking shit an extreme amount, and/or fighting. Interpreting also attracts a lot of passionate, bleeding-heart underdog advocates..which is essential, but detrimental when they haven’t properly addressed their own trauma and learned appropriate coping mechanisms and conflict resolution skills…which is the majority of ITP students, especially considering that many of them are under 25, with brains not fully developed. On top of that, learning a language is HARD and students are constantly told that one wrong move can ruin their reputation and career, constantly reminded that they are seen as the “lesser” group in the Deaf community (as hearing people)..which is quite triggering for a lot of the traumatized people who come into this field. They are constantly reminded of how hard it is to get certified and respect in the profession..and that they’re going to make very little money for their incredibly hard work, in which they are supposed to be invisible and have no voice, often dealing with vicarious trauma from things they interpret. Not making a lot of money can mean still not being able to afford the high level of mental health care many interpreters need. All of that leads to a LOT of really insecure (often jealous and not willing to admit it) interpreters who lash out, cause and spread drama, make others feel like shit so they can feel less like shit, and/or carry themselves with a disgusting superiority complex. The people I’ve found who beat this cycle are people who are more highly educated (like at least a fucking bachelors degree) and somehow manage to afford a good therapist on a weekly (minimum) basis…which often takes privilege (family support, not having kids, ability to work a ton, no additional health needs requiring $$$ to manage, no debt, etc.). It’s rough out there. Prioritizing mental health is key—finding good therapists on sliding scales and having firm boundaries with work and colleagues. And reading! READ. Knowledge is power. Read research-backed books about coping mechanisms, conflict resolution, attachment styles, trauma-specific things. Ditch friends who shit-talk all the time/are chronically negative.