I think people with their eyes wide open are just trying to pass the news along...sm

the test(s) you take in order to get a job.  They ask a zillion grammar questions, which word to use (affect/effect; their/there; advise/advice), spelling, etc.  Also all MTs, no matter how many years experience, be it 1 month or 15 years, must be able to take criticism (and learn from it). That is the first lesson you must learn.  No matter how good a MT course is reputed to be, you will still have plenty to learn at the end of it. Many have the attitude that they all the all-knowing diva of MT and everyone else is full of it. So the OP needs to get rid of the chip on their shoulder, I know people here can be quite harsh and some of those here could be a bit more tactful, but bottom line is that they are right.

Get a good education if you want to be an MT.  Though there are always exceptions, you need a very solid foundation on which to build your career.  I believe you get what you pay for with the MT schools.  Be aware that just "attending" the school does not promise success.  You need to actually DO all the course work, study, and battle your way through the SUM tapes to train your ear.  It is the ONLY way to train for this career.  There are no quick fixes for this.  You then need to be highly motivated and willing to put in lots of hard work once you graduate in order to continue learning and growing.  You also should have a very solid grasp of English as a written language and have excellent reading skills before you even embark on this as a career choice. 

This career is definitely not for everyone, so everyone should not assume that since they can type, like computers, or want to help people that they qualify and will excel at it.  Honestly assess yourself before you begin and save yourself lots of grief by choosing your career pathy wisely.  Just some friendly advice. 

Why is CS still getting praise???  Affordable or not, you may be an experienced *unemployed* MT because many companies are discovering that CS just doesn't give the education needed regardless of the few praisers who got lucky.

M-TEC or Andrews has a "refresher" course for MTs who have done 1 specialty or haven't worked for a while.

this business?  I'm new and realize how lucky I am to have a MT position in which I can work from home.  I was hired by a MTSO who needed people on a new account she was getting.  Now I am not needed on the account because it's just not rolling in all the work it was suppose to (maybe that is how is going to be or maybe just cause of the holidays). She continues to give me as much work as she possibly can and is constantly stating how amazed she is by my ability to catch on quick to the new doctors she throws at me.  However, I am lucky to make $100 every two weeks.  I am looking for a second MT job.  Does anyone have any suggestions? I am wonder if even a second job is going to bring in enough money though.  I actually just have to bring in around $500 (rent because my husband can pay everything else) but of course to be financially comfortable I would like to bring in more.  Is it worth getting a second job or will I eventually have to get a third?  I really want to stay working as an IC for the MTSO because she is so nice and it lets me be more flexible than a national would.  Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

It really takes a lot to be a mentor one-on-one with someone entering this field.  My experience has been that there is an attitude of entitlement (not that I'm saying this about YOU personally, your mileage may vary).  It's as though I am supposed to overlook the lack of pervserverance to research words because I'm there as the buffer to fall back on....like just don't worry about, Milton will pick up the slack so I can just get a higher line count. 

Once I actually offered to mentor on the condition of being paid for my efforts and I was accused of being a scheister just into it for the money.  The deal was that I would mentor the person until I could help them get a job and after two months of being gainfully employed (all the time answering questions), my pay would be equal to 2 weeks pay of the person I mentored.  Now, I'm investing all this time and effort into the situation for potentially months on end and then I'm accused of being into it for a couple hundred dollars??  I make that in a day of transcribing so that got me out of being interested in mentoring.

I had no mentor, I had no QA feedback, I worked from home, didn't have the electronic resources that are available today, worked mostly 12 hour days usually 6 to 7 days a week and I made very little my first year but doubled my income every year for 4 years until I hit a plataeu and now pay is going down for reasons beyond my control. 

If you don't have the dedication to making yourself a success, you may find a mentor who gives up on you and you'll be feeling as though you are a victim.  Don't count on a mentor.  Count on yourself.  Best of luck.

I'm in this business many years, almost 3 decades, and I STILL have a couple of people, one especially, who I call when I have an MT question or if I want them to listen over the phone....it's networking and it's great and if you find a REAL good mt or cmt, well, then you've got GREAT help.  Sometimes 4 ears are better than 2.  I even have my daughter listen if she is here (albeit she is not in the medical field except 5 years so far *S*)

Best of luck!!