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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

In my opinion, not anymore. Been in this 25 years.

Posted By: I don't recommend to anyone now and I love it. on 2006-08-29
In Reply to: Is MT A Good Career? - Charity

It is all going to voice recognition, meaning that the only real transcribing there will be left to do are the horrible dictators (ESLs and NON-ESLs) who cannot be processed by speech recognition.

Between that and overseas workers, not much in the way of a future in my opinion. Glad I'm nearing the end of my career in it.




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You have not been transcribing 10 years. Your resume reflects about 4 years tops. I am going to put
very little MT experience and now you're pushing software that posters can get for free. There is a problem with that. You need to search YOUR heart ands ask yourself just how helpful you are really trying to be to new MTs or if your lining your own pocketbook because you don't know how to transcribe yourself.
I don't think so. Not anymore. Used to be
GREAT but you must understand, medical transcription is now available in a global market. The Internet has made it possible for every Tom, Rick and Harry in India to make their services available. These people are not dumb. They are very hard working. Most of them hold TWO master's degrees.  Now, granted their quality is not too good now... but just wait. Let them get a few years under their belts and you will really see India take off as competitors. Furthermore, on a DAILY BASIS, I hear from others in MT who lose jobs to voice recognition, which now works, and electronic medical records, a point and click system. My own service holds a physical therapy account that brings in $70,000 per year. Five people work part time on it and the department is now implementing a voice recognition system. Bye Bye Gravy Account. In the Big Services, i.e. Medquist, etc. they have gone to voice recog with back end editing. What it really means is the MT goes in and cleans up what the computer missed. Now it used to be you could get 9, 10, cents per line typing the report. But editing takes JUST AS LONG, only because it's "easier" you only make 5, 6, 7 cents per line. The customer gets it at a lower price, the service keeps its margin, the MT gets screwed. The only dictators left to do are the ESL, and what a bear. So if you want to invest $4000 to make $4 per hour, IF you land a job, be my guest. I have 20+ years watching this field, and it's on its way out. If you think things are bad now, check back in another year. They will be much, much worse.
When you don't hear from QA anymore nm
//
Industry certainly isn't the same anymore - sm
I'm a +35-year MT and still going strong, had my own business, worked in-house for hospitals/docs, done it all, work for MTSO now, but just like other industries, a lot has changed and most not for the good. I have stayed with an MTSO for only a couple of reasons - My husband has been transferred many times over the years all over the country and this is one job that I can keep doing wherever my next address is . . .I can visit family and take my work with me when I travel. It is a very isolating profession to be at home, lack of social networking and getting to meet people in new areas.

I have numerous docs for medical conditions and not one of them uses a Transcriptionist anymore, all have their own laptops they carry around. So much is offshored, VR is taking over for many facilities, and many transcription services have been gobbled up over the years by larger ones, also much of it not for the good . .I am just hoping to hang on for 10 more years until I can retire, but I'm not even sure how much of a demand there will be for my years of knowledge and quality work - it's all about the bottom line for these MTSOs and medical facilities - I saw the writing on the wall about 20 years ago or so in Calif when managed care started. One doctor I worked 15 years for was very involved in fighting it with insurance companies as HMOs moved in, of course, to no avail. It all trickles down eventually. I know many people in the business and with whom I keep in touch, and we all feel the same way. It's just sad.

It used to be you could find a mentor to see you through the early years - I had one and that was worth more than my college degree in some ways. I still believe that work experience in-house for acute care/multispecialty is still necessary to gain a good grasp of what transcription is about, but I'm old school, and I'm sure some will disagree - I tried to train/employ new MT's for my business right as they were getting started, and 90% of them just didn't get it, no matter what their courses - an at-home transcription course or college graduate - I couldn't believe the lack of comprehension of the English language in most of them.

This has just been my own personal experience I'm passing along. Overall would I recommend this profession to someone looking to get started in it - NOT ANY MORE.

Disclaimed: Please excuse any typos/grammar errors to those who love to play transcription police - I'm doing this very fast, as I am in the middle of working and typing on a separate keyboard off to the side - always have numerous computers going for different things. I normally don't even post on here, but I happened to click on the wrong board and this caught my eye - I'm sure this subject has been brought up many times here.

I truly am empathetic to your situation and wish I could give you a more uplifting opinion. Good luck to you and anyone else in the same boat.


Legal aspects mean nothing anymore
India isn't the only place, how about the Phillipines. Yes, it's going there too. They're being trained specifically for this work, hundreds of them. So more and more will be going away from the U.S. Your medical privacy rights mean NOTHING in those countries. They can't be held to anything!!!!
Legal aspects mean nothing anymore
Yeah, I saw the Phillipines too. I can't believe the health care profession would be that careless with such an important subject. All the about the bottom dollar huh?
Med. Transciption not too good anymore? What next?
Hi,
I've been interested in going through Mtec and becoming employed as a Med. Transcriptionist. Howevever, looking at this board, it seems like things are doing too good for transcriptionists. If the future of Medical transciprion isn't doing too well, then what other sort of occupation should I consider that is similar?
oops!...can't take on anymore students/trainees ...nm
.
Not a hard and fast rule anymore. Strictly up to QA and
s
MT is not worth it anymore. Would not worry about past. Did need to give ID to be hired though.
.
Most places only do the overflow or unwanted work from a facility, anymore. Once those
s
A nurse does not have the proper training to be an MT, anymore than an MT could suddenly decide to b
nm
Anything coming from the AAMT holds no water anymore - they invalidated their status
when they sold us out for the $$ in India. AAMT means another chance to screw MT's, that's all.
Here's my opinion
Tuition is $588 and up.  They also offer courses in mystery shopping, basket weaving, and digital photography, all of which can be found on the Internet for free.  Offering other nonMT courses is usually a good sign that the "school" is only in it to sucker people out of money.  Their "faculty" members don't have any teaching credentials or certification.  Being an MT, CMT, RN or HRT doesn't necessarily make you a good teacher.  The school is not nationally accredited either.  Do a Google search for them.  I haven't found anything positive by anyone who has ever "graduated" from their course and obtained a job.
This is only my opinion and......sm

He gives as TX options: 


Treatment options: Chiropractic care. {Insert whatever names he gives there with an initial cap}  and chiropractic adjustment.


Hope that helps!


my opinion
I think you are looking into MT for the wrong reason (you want to work from home and not work in an office).

While 80 wpm is a good speed, you'll need to be more about 100 to 120 wpm to really get good production. Accuracy of your typing skills won't matter as much as your ability to properly interpret what you are listening to in the dictation, recognize medical terminology in actual use, etc.

Yes, offshoring and voice recognition are taking a big toll now and will continue to.

Look into coding.

My opinion

Hi.  Medical transcription is the best!! I have been in the business for 15 years and I still think it is great.  When I first started people kept telling me that it would be phased out because of VR, and that was 15 years ago. I think if you really work hard the first several months and really learn it well, then I think you will not be disappointed.  The people I know who don't stick with it are the ones who didn't put in the initial "blood, sweat and tears" to really become good at it. 


Medical Transcription has been such a blessing to me and to my family.  We have been able to send our children to private school and that would have been impossible without my working all these years.  I have been able to have a great income and still be flexible enough to take care of my family.  In my humble inion, the great jobs are the ones that allow flexibility within a schedule and they are the only ones I would go for. 


Good luck with whatever you decide to do. 


P.S. Learn your macros WELL


My opinion is ....
that some companies choose to be kind and some choose not to. I have worked for some of the nicest people around, and I have also worked for a company that was rude beyong belief. I would definitely give it a shot although I do not know them personally. Trust me, when you have been sitting at your computer for a while the last thing you need to do is be getting nasty e-mails from someone.

Good luck!
Just My Opinion

I saw below where they state the beginning wage for mRecord is somewhere along the lines of 5.25 cpl.  IMHO, that is just way to low to start, even if you are a new graduate.  There are many other companies out there that will start you out at a higher rate. 


Since you mentioned the Spheris traning, I'm assuming you went to Career Step.  They are so many better paying opportunities for you if you are willing to look for them. 


(and, as a gentle reminder, it's "accept" and not "except")


My opinion...

I know MQ is one of the easiest companies for a noob to get into, but I would take their refusal as a good omen.  MQ is a sinking ship and you would do well to find a better company to work for.


 


Thanks for your opinion! more....
Thanks for giving your opinion Jenn! I hadn't looked at it that way. I just kind of freaked when the Dr. said "dead in the water for clinics."

VR has never really worried me much, but doctors not dictating at all (in clinics) was quite the shocker for me!

I see how and why this wouldn't work in the hospital setttings.

This career path seems so shaky, yet I'm so ready to start training for something I'll love to do.

Thanks again,
Christy
In my opinion, no (see msg)
IT is the most advanced, "smart" Expander out there. I've been using it for 2 years and refuse to work without it, which I told my bosses. It's not for everyone, of course, but starting out with IT instead of discovering it after trying several others is great; the learning curve is not as steep. Plus, it works with SO many platforms (not just Word-based platforms) so you don't have to worry about changing jobs and having to stop using it or losing all your glossaries/expansions because your new company doesn't use Word and your expander works only with Word and Word-based platforms.
opinion
That 'person' who seems angry at 'the post above this' I have a feeling is talking about me. I only posted what I found on the company website. These posts about the big 3 and this particular staffing school seems to be getting people a little 'testy'. Maybe we should move on to a more pleasant topic. Opinions are like noses, everybody has one. Some people get 'ill' when their opinion is differed with. That's what's 'wrong'. To each their own. That's why we're human beings and not robots. We're differnt and have different opinions based on different experiences.
I'd tell you my opinion on the whole MT field, but
I'd be accused of being negative and bitter. LOL Yeah, people get buffaloed into thinking that there is good money to be made doing MT. Evidently, some people do make good money at it. I haven't met any real life person who actually does, though. I've never seen it myself either.

Not sure about the school you went to but in my opinion.....
the best way to go is find someone to mentor you, or get your own accounts with local doctor offices. Make up a fliar that offers cassette tape dictation/transcription.

Unfortunately most of the hospitals outsource now and that is where most old timers got their experience way back when.

Somewhere I read that Meditech was offering a mentoring program????? No idea if it is worth anything, but if they will QA your work, I would start there.

Hang in there. Don't stop trying to land something. It will happen.
my opinion...take it for what it's worth
but when I read your post your grammer was good and you seemed very bright. These are things you cannot learn in medical transcription school. When you finish your schooling and if you have any trouble landing a job, I suggest you revisit this site and as eloquently as your post above, ask for someone to mentor you. I do not think you will have a problem at all. Good luck.
it's not YOUR website and not YOUR opinion only on here
so we are allowed ours and you have absolutely NO RIGHT to chastise the other poster for her advice

grow up a little bit, mommy

Just my humble opinion here...
You may be wasting your talent settling into the MT field. I have no doubt you could succeed based on what you have posted thus far, but I get the impression you are very outgoing, upbeat, friendly, and enjoy interacting with people. I think you may find yourself cut off and bored after a short time and restless. I agree with this poster - what about real estate or sales? You seem such a natural for those fields. Good luck to you in whatever you decide. :-)
Here is my honest opinion. sm
I started MT in my mid 20s (over 20 years ago) Started working for family doctor in high school, went on to college for two years in health care administration (worked part time for college professors), married and had children right away. My first independence with my own doctor clients occurred when I had two toddlers at home. There was no possible way I could have been successful unless I hired child care during that period of time. I was spending a minimum of 8 hours per day typing. There were days when I would put in an additional 3 hours late at night when my children went to bed. My husband worked long hours, so depending on him to take over was not always possible. It is only my opinion that the dedication, concentration and ultimate success in this profession is not possible unless you get the help with your children. Unless part time supplemental income is your goal, full time pay and the intense experience needed to peform well long-term in this profession, reality is not always seen by those entering this profession as a means to stay home with your children.
I Respect Your Opinion. However...

I'm not an advocate for Career Step and I don't know what is on their page.  That IS misleading, but researching the MT field on the Internet would bring you here (MTStars) as well as taking you to Career Step.  I don't think CS deserves all the blame.



TRS Institute Opinion

Ok, I know that a lot of people have posted questions and opinions about different schools.  I've been researching these myself via AHDI, the school website, requesting them to send info, and reading the various posts here.  I was really leaning towards CareerStep because I can function without someone standing over my shoulder and I liked the idea of being able to finish the course quicker if I put more time into it.  I've working in various areas of healthcare for years.  The last position I held I dealt with outpatient billing for a hospital, departments included ENT, Audiology, and Psych.  I did some CPT and ICD-9 coding for Psych in addition to the billing.  Thus I have experience with medical terminology, diagnosis codes, and medical abreviations.  No one would hire me even with this background.  So I determined school was the best bet.  After the mixed reviews for CareerStep that I've read on here I'm now down to either M-TEC, The Andrews School, or TRS Institue.  I've seen what all the various opinions on M-Tec and Andrews but has anyone had experience with TRS Institue.  I was also looking at Allied Medical School's program for transcription but hesitate because they're not AHDI approved and cost the same as M-TEC.  Allied offers a free laptop but I've already got two :)  Plus they offer lifetime career placement (same as M-TEC) but they're NOT approved which makes me very nervous.


Also, does anyone know how much it takes to take the RMT test?  TRS Institute will pay the fee but I'm just wondering if anyone knows how much that is considering their tuition is $3995.


Any thoughts on this would be helpful.  Thanks for reading!


You are entitled to your opinion....
But that is all it is, Amanda, your opinion.  It seems every time a new MT posts here about their school, you are one of the first people to have something negative to say.  Yes, there are many MTs who come here and complain about their schools, but there are also an equal number who have had success and are satisfied with their experience.  It depends on the individual and their attitude.
You are entitled to your opinion...
I disagree.  I have been an MT for years and I find myself making spelling mistakes and typos on this site.  It happens...  This is also a New MT/Student board, so majority of the people who post here will improve their grammar skills as time goes on.  It is best to make excuses for people and assume that they will improve.  No one is perfect, including you. 
My opinion, for what it's worth..
I haven't read the other replies, but a few things struck me from your message. First, if you had researched MT as much as you say, then why did you choose At Home Professions? Secondly, finding "MTStars" isn't the Holy Grail of MT information, LOL. Actually, MTStars is great because if a newbie does find this message board, they'll run like the wind from medical transcription and leave more work for the rest of us. Either way, this message board is more or less and "venting" site. Most of the folks that have nothing to complain about are busy doing their jobs, and there are plenty of them. I've been reading MTStars for years, don't really post much, but at least I get a laugh or two every day.
It is a matter of personal opinion. Some like
Shorthand, some like Instant Text. 
No, the school stinks in my opinion - sm
I worked with a lady once who "went" there. Oh boy, was she lousy. Needless to say she did not hold onto the job long, the mistakes were numerous and atrocious. She had previous experience of transcribing written doctors notes and putting them on the computer which she thought constituted MT experience (uh...it was all written down in front of her, slightly different); obviously that experience was useless. I hope for her sake she took the QA I did to heart and did not get too upset by it by taking it personally, but she needed a lot of work.
You're welcome to your opinion. She asked for advice
and I gave her mine.

Get over it.
That's a matter of each persons opinion. I happen to like
MT, I have my own accounts and do the work myself.  I get up, take little breaks in between and don't beat myself up.  I also have a separate private life outside of work, so for me I am not isolated. 
Why did you choose this post to voice your opinion?
It appears as if the OP was so happy about passing the test and receiving that phone call that she rushed to the computer to share her good news with the world. Would it have been so awful to just wish her luck and share her joy? I have been an MT for a year, and I still feel proud and happy each time I pass a test. It is hard for a newbie or someone with less than 2-3 years of experience to get a company to even let you test. When you then pass the test and get a phone call, that is veryexciting and makes you feel good. You could have wished her luck publicly and then sent her an email making her aware of her mistakes along with some tips. This New MTs forum is the last place on this board to post a message like yours.

Why can't some people just let others feel good about themselves?

Hmmm. I think this MTSO's opinion would "carry weight"...
If the poster was NOT a graduate of one of those two schools.
You're only posting your opinion & website b/c CS pays you for you referrals
nm
I took their course 5 years ago - sm
I was quite happy with it and the price, cost a little bit more now but still reasonable. If you do all you are supposed to it does prepare you well enough, though I skipped a couple things (learning the abbreviations); and I skimmed on the actual practice dictation which was a big mistake but I wanted to graduate and get working. But I still passed the final, though not as well as I would have if I had practiced more in advance. Took me 2 months to land a job, another 2 to actually start that particular job though; in the meantime I cold-called and landed a job with a small local MTSO and started that one first, then the other fell into place about 6 weeks later (acute care where I was thrown to the wolves basically). Nothing beats learning on the job though and I learned lots while testing my butt off to land that first job. There are plenty of CAI grads, just many look down on them though the program is very good and you come out adequately prepared though I think no school can prepare you for the real deal, it can at least give you the tools and knowledge to deal with reality.
They have been saying that for years, but...
from what I gather, MT's will always be needed, even to just proof the voice recognition. I will say, however, that I am a recent grad, and am finding out that it doesn't pay very much unless you get perfect dictators, which is very slim to none in this business! Good luck with whatever you choose, but I would look into something else as far as medical to do.
MT for 5 years sm
My advice to you is to do as much research when looking for a job as possible.  I did not do this and until I came to MTStars I thought the 0.7 cents per line was what everyone was making.  I did not realize I was making almost the lowest rate in the business.  I have been doing this parttime for 5 years and there are jobs out there, just make sure you do the research into the companies like you seem to be, and as others have said make sure you go to one of the reputable schools that companies will look for.  Do not get discouraged, this can be a wonderful and lucrative business if you make sure to take your time before jumping. 
With almost ten years of MT, I would say...
If 'q.d.' follows a medication as part of a medication sig, you must type 'q.d.' If 'q.d.' is dictated within context as a "short cut" for the doctor, you must type "daily".

These edits are required to produce more professional medical/legal document...and we all know that some dictators need all the help that we can give them.

IMO...
-Jade
I took this course years ago.....
I did get a job at a local hospital, but I had an advantage. I had previously worked as a CNA at multiple hospitals and nursing homes, and ward clerk at a hospital. This is a basic course and you will probably have a hard time finding a job. I'm not trying to be rude, just truthful.
How I did it and have been doing for over 10 years....

Okay, it is time to let the cat out of the bag on how you are going to be successful as a Transcriptionist out of school.


The first thing I am seeing is that these schools promise that you will be working from home making in upwards of $40,000 a year. Forget about that. You are new to this. If you come out of school working on a production basis you may very well fall flat on your face and make $3 an hour by the end of the day. I was a transcriptionist for almost 5 years working for a hospital and I decided I could make more working on a production basis.......I failed miserably my first year.


First off, get experience under your belt and make an hourly rate in the meantime. How did I do this? Well, I started out getting a job in a hospital, any job I could get. I started out in billing, even though I wanted transcription. I watched and waited for openings, when finally someone in the psychiatric unit called me (I made friends with everyone, the key to getting calls like this one) and said they were losing their transcriptionist and I should apply. I applied and got my first transcription job, making an hourly rate. Had I not gotten pregnant with twins I would probably still be there.


After babies were born, went back part time in the evenings. This time since I had experience and another local hospital was willing to hire me in the radiology department. Again, hourly. I watched and waited once again (I hated radiology transcription). I got to know who was in charge in the transcription department. I sent her a fax asking her if she needed any part time help (back then there was no work related email). She said, yes, I could work part time (I now had "experience"). The part time went to full time with benefits. However, I got bored and decided to work for, of all companies, Medquist. I thought with my speed I would be making at least $20 an hour.....hahahahahahahahaha, what a joke. I was lucky to make $8 an hour with them. After about a year of struggling I finally got my foot back in the door of a hospital in another state. I had to commute to the hospital every day during training, it was awful, however, now I again work from home, have the ability to make about $20 or more per hour, I own my own home, own a half decent car, I am divorced and don't take any child support from my ex, instead we share in the custody 50/50.


The moral of my story........


Get your foot in the door. Look for jobs that are front desk, secretarial, whatever. Once you are in there and they realize how great you are you can go wherever you want. My first transcription job in the psychiatric unit also involved secretarial duties, so not just straight transcription. I highly recommend getting into a hospital. The bennies are the best and lots of hospital transcriptionists are working from home with full hospital benefits. If you can't get into a hospital, get into anywhere where you can do some sort of typing/transcription, that way you have your first reference/experience when you apply to a company that is strictly work from home. Everyone wants experience, they just don't want to be the ones to give it to you. 


I am so tired of seeing these schools and companies swindle people.


If you are looking into training, I highly recommend your local community college. You will probably take some credit college courses that will be able to be used should you decide to do something else. My local community college has a course for under $3000 and there are college credit courses that are able to be used towards another degree.


I did my training as a medical assistant, transcription was only part of the course. However, now I am so bored with transcription that I am going back to school to be a nurse.


I hope this helps someone out there. Good luck to you all!


I know 2 different MTs with 30 years

in this business.  One lost an account to EMR and the other lost a good portion of an account to "writing in charts" which is a clue that particular account is going EMR most likely in the near future and trying to save money to purchase it...  It is very expensive for the doctors (more than our pay).  My PCP uses it and he said it is very costly but he is still using it. 


Now those MTs that lost accounts are working for nationals and averaging between 6 and 8 dollars an hour because they are being thrown horrible dictators and platforms that aren't up to par. 


Everyone in this business is struggling and thankful for what they have and afraid to ask for a raise.  I have 2 of my own accounts that I haven't had a raise in 10 years because I know someone will underbid me in a New York minute if I were to raise my rates. 


I just like what I do and like the flexibility, but if I were to spend $4,000.00 it would definitely not be to become an MT, not by today's standards anyway. 


Been at it 25+ years, still love it the same way I did at first. NM
x
Two years this month.
I was just telling some gals that I have made the mistake of attaching versus copy and paste more than once. I was applying to many companies and simply not reading directions word-for-word while doing so. With "many" companies actually preferring the attachment method, I just honestly got in a hurry and didn't pay attention. I did this as a new grad, I've done it with a couple years' experience! I also caught it right away too, and resubmitted, but that's not the point. Just like MTSOs "scan" resumes in a few seconds, I scanned ads. Just a fact! I'm busy too, whether I'm working or not. I know better now though!

I think as a newbie, and with so many companies using the "two-year experience clause," I just felt like a submitting machine. I didn't put a lot of thought into what I was actually submitting, because I really didn't expect anyone to pay much attention to me no matter what I did.

I did, however, make sure that I spellchecked any communications and tried to be as professional as possible. You might be surprised at how "unprofessional" some MTSOs are! I am hearing them say that they don't want to hear about personal issues, but I have also had many come back and burden me with their own! They sometimes set the tone for casual-type communications, which I find offensive and unnecessary.

I started out with all my resources in place. I think that MTSOs have to remember that a newbie is just that. We have just spent thousands to be educated, bought a new computer in some cases, bought a library maybe, and had to set up an office in our home as well. I invested thousands before I applied for my first job! An experienced mentor and friend told me not to scrimp where resources were concerned, and I didn't! The generalization of the MTSO about newbies was what ticked me off. We might make mistakes, but who doesn't? That was unfair!

As far as the $400 phone system, that I would have noticed and passed on immediately. Some schools don't even explain what these are. I had to ask! I now own one that I haven't used in over a year since I bought it. You are trained with Wav files, which is the more prevalent of the two forms of obtaining voice files, and no, I don't have one sitting around "just in case." These bad boys cost from $300-$800. Get real. I doubt there are many experienced MTs who have this or would spend that kind of money upfront before ever hearing the dictators and knowing what you are getting into.

I do, however, think it is perfectly fair to expect that applicants have the basics in place, i.e., resource books, Word processing program, updated computer with protection, and at least a USB pedal.

There is no excuse for punctuation, spelling and grammatical errors in any communications related to finding work. I agree with that.

I hired on with Medquist out of school, or soon thereafter. Here was their attitude at my office: Leave a ton of blanks, time is money, you will learn from your feedback (if you are lucky enough to get it).

I was very uncomfortable with that! I wanted to learn and grow. I was perfectly willing to spend ten minutes researching a single word or phrase in order to learn, and I felt good about my results. Fact is, more companies than not could care less. I've been told that we hire editors for that, so move on. Time is money!

I continually st rived for perfection, and that does take time. You have to be willing to spend countless hours in research and then verification through viable resources your first years. I did, and I don't regret it. Let's take into consideration also though that I was in a position to do that! I do this because I'm good at it and I love it. If I had to pay the mortgage and support a couple of kids, I might look at things in a whole different light.

I think that schools and their ads are a big problem when it comes to moms at home. They give the impression that having children, as well as not being able to pay for child-care services is some sort of prerequisite for this work! If you have these needs, this job is for you. Bull!!

Then, you have people replying to questions like, "why did you choose this career" with responses like, "I have kids and can't afford child care," versus, "I love this work, and I am good at it."

I personally strive and always have for perfection. I have done my time in downtime, and that is with an extensive medical background beforehand! You really have to be willing to give your all, work hard and for little to start. That's a fact!

IMO, schools are failing sometimes to provide their students with essential information in important areas. I see new grads out on the moon alone the day after they pass their exam with nothing but a lousy outdated list of companies to apply to.

Yes, I think you addressed this issue appropriately. I hope it turns into a revealing and learning thread for all concerned!

Thanks,

Missy C


been filing IC for over 15 years
You will definitely need a CPA for this one. You will get to deduct what ever portion of your home you use from your mortgage payment (if you use a room that is 250 squre feet in your 1,000 square foot home, you can deduct 25% of your mortgage payment and utilities), part of your auto (depending if you use your car at all to pick up or deliver work), internet costs, phone costs, and the list goes on.

Personally I do not set aside taxes for my share of the household income. My husband claims 0 and covers mine and his; seems to work for us.

You will definitely need a CPA because there are things you must pay such as self employment tax. If you try to do this yourself and make a mistake it can be very costly later on.

Good luck!!! I hope you enjoy being your own boss. I certainly do.