My reply to a question from a novice interpreter on Facebook who asked, "do you remember how you got started after graduation? Did you feel ready? What did you do?"

You will never feel ready. So you do what's ethical and enlist the help of seasoned people and those that you want to emulate. Networking is key, so getting to know other interpreters and finding someone who is willing to mentor you (formally or informally) is critical. And I'd go one step further with that advise--ask a respected, culturally Deaf person who THEY like working with as their interpreter, and seek that person out for advise. Deaf people know quality when they see it, not just in signing skills but also in professionalism and allyship. Learn from someone that Deaf people think has that 'it" factor. Also, when you see an interpreter doing something that makes your spidy-sense of ickyness go off, figure out what they are doing that you think isn't ethical or professional and file it away on your "what not to do" list. You can learn from others by not making their mistakes. As far as jobs are concerned, beware of agencies that will hire anyone regardless of their experience or credential; if you accept jobs from an agency like that, be sure it's a job you can handle and don't take everything you are offered. Agencies like that will have a bad reputation with your area's Deaf people and it will reflect badly on you if you are lumped in with the new terps that will take any job.