I think the MTSO probably does give equal chances

Accepts the people who demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of use of proper grammar and rejects those who don't.  She probably feels sorry for those who do not understand this and appreciates those who do.

She didn't get where she is by starting out with a lack of common sense.  That's something you have or you don't.  No gray area or inequality about that issue as I see it.

I was a newbie once too.  We are were.

• Newbies, ya gotta learn one thing here...sm - Frustrated MTSO
  • replies - Amanda
  • update on my newbie's response!! too funny!! sm - Frustrated MTSO
    • A stroke of luck! - sm
    • maybe her son will go to work for her too. nm - Old MT
  • It's unlikely that she would understand - Sandy
    • with my 15+ years experience, I could never be as arrogant...... - lucky2bmting
      • Are you working for a good company? - Curious
        • i work for one national, one smaller, and have one private account. - lucky2bmting
      • Geez Louise people - Sandy
        • MT education - olddog
        • if you are directing your comments to those types of individuals.... - lucky2bmting
          • THANK YOU!!! - NEWBIE
    • I don't agree with you! - NEWBIE
      • Um. What? Your message doesn't make any sense. - Sandy
      • What don't you agree with - - Misha
        • Reply - NEWBIE
          • Then you don't have what it takes to make it - Milton's Red Stapler
            • are you joking? what kind of QA is even remotely close to that post? - lucky2bmting
            • screen name - Lisa
              • Remember, that stapler was the only thing that - Milton's Red Stapler
      • I think the MTSO probably does give equal chances - Milton's Red Stapler
      • Internship - jwhitman
        • Now there's a newbie I have hope for! - Misha

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I graduated an MT traning class in January and am trying to find a job now. I applied to one company and was doing great until I came to the typing test. That was when I realized I can't type nearly fast enough to be hired by most MT companies. I am practicing every day and am up to 50 wpm with 97% accuracy. Most companies want you to type at least 65 wpm so I am still well below what is required. Did anyone else have this problem? I'm starting to wonder if I will be employable as an MT.

getting a legitimate job is slim, but not impossible.  There are dozens of companies/schools out there who don't have decent programs and if you take one of their courses you've basically thrown your money away.   If you go to ADHI (used to be AAMT) website they have a list of accredited schools, though taking their courses other than the above may/may not get you past the 2 years of experience. 

Companies don't require an externship, but do the 2 years mostly, pretty much the same thing. 

A lot of people take the crappy courses because they can't afford the tuition at one of the above, but they can't get a job, so need to do another school or a menitoring program, so they end up spending more, going a longer time with little to no income, etc.   Unfortunately a lot of newbies come here only after they have tried for months to get a job, instead of coming here before choosing a school. 

Forgive me for being so ignorant of the abbreviations, but what does MTSO stand for?

Thanks.

anymore.  When you are competing with single-digit line rates from off-shore companies you can no longer charge 18 cpl.  In most cases it isn't corporate greed, but trying to be stay afloat.  Medical expenses are through the roof and everyone is looking for a way to cut expenses and MT is one of them. 

I agree that companies that went offshore long ago did it for greed, but now it is mostly for survival.

People go into this business lured by working at home and making $40,000/year.  They don't investigate to see how realistic that is.  They go to one of the cheaper schools because the better schools are too expensive, yet the cheaper schools are pretty worthless and don't equip you to work as an MT in the real world.   If potential MTs would do their research on the front-end they wouldn't go into this field to start with. 

Could someone tell me what MTSO stands for?  May be a dumb question, but I wont know if I don't ask. 

Thanks

Not only can they be overwhelmed with trying to handle the new work load, but they have to sort through resumes, interview and hire someone, plus paperwork. So if they do have more work, this just adds to the workload. I dread bringing on someone new because it is such a huge amount of work - that takes away from getting the work at hand done in a timely fashion. So patience is good, I'm sure they know you are there, but maybe just keeping their head above water...

Rainbow...your post goes to show that it is not EASY.  Some people think we just sit and type.  There is so much more involved.  The only way to get the hard words is through experience.  If you try using Stedman's Smartype the words come up if you can get the first few letters.  It helps a lot.

Hang in there.

I also took the PCDI course.  What a waste of money!  However, before I even finished the course, I tested with a company and was hired and received a job offer from another company.  Both companies were small and local.  I think your best bet is to check with local transcription companies, check newspaper classifieds, and check with any MTs in your area.  Another MT gave me a list of several small MTSOs in my area that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. 

Good luck!  You can still find a job even with the education (or lack of) that you got from PCDI.

schools still teach MT based on the first BOS (AAMT Book of Style), but almost every company tests their applicants based on book #2...there are a lot of differences between the books, so I highly recommend you get a copy of the 2nd edition and study it.  (You might already, but if not, that is my suggestion.)

Good luck to you!

Chickadee