Do you long to make a difference in this life? Are you looking for a mission? I bet you never thought that studying Spanish could help you with this desire. Well, as Ira Riklis knows, it can.
Interpreters are very much in demand. Think of all those sick people who seek medical help in a time of crisis but do not speak English. They go to a hospital emergency room in this country and are unable to communicate to the health care professionals who may not speak Spanish just what their problems are. Frustration and time wasted are then the order of the day (or probably the night). With your Spanish language skills you can change the scene from one of failure to one of success. With your assistance, men, women, children, and especially babies can receive the proper treatment and be on their way to healing as well as receive the necessary health-teaching that may prevent further problems.
Interpreters are in demand in many areas. Police work can be greatly facilitated when a Spanish-speaking interpreter accompanies the police into neighborhoods where English is not the first language. Also arrested suspects can be interviewed to clear up any misunderstandings when language is a problem.
The United States Census estimates that one in five households in the U.S. now speaks only Spanish (hard to believe but reported in the news). Also, as Ira Riklis knows, the numbers of non-English speaking U.S. residents is increasing.