Nice advice, however, learning good grammar usually falls somewhere
Posted By: giddy pc guru on 2007-03-19
In Reply to: Please, any new MTs, please read - SM
between grades 1-8 and, even more so, 9-12, if you are lucky enough to be exposed to good schools. If they have not been the afforded the opportunity to attend a solid grade school, as well as a high school, with teachers who emphasize and demand the importance of correct grammar, they are going to be left behind when it comes to MTing, or have to take some English classes to catch up on what they missed during the early days of learning.
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Without good grammar you would not even pass - 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. 
It has good advice.
Good luck!
Good advice. LOL!!!!! nm
.
Good advice, MTPockets...by the way, what is the
average rate one can charge when picking up your own clients (versus working for a national service)? I've heard some people (though admittedly not many) on this board say they make 14 cents a line, which I have never heard of (maybe I'm naive, but the most I have ever heard people making, and it is rare, is 11 cents a line).
Thanks for the good advice, Banjo..nm
nm
Someone here gave you really good advice. sm
Call the schools you mentioned. I know there is a third that is reputable, but I can't remember the name.
I believe these schools screen their applicants carefully. They will answer all questions, and ask many of their own. They don't want you to take on something you won't complete. That's one reason they're reputable. Make a written list of things you want to know, even if they seem like silly questions, and call. This is your best source of information.
Then you have to make the decision. It's hard to take the plunge. It's a commitment. No one can make it for you. It is a good part-time field, but the work is hard, and there is a long training period. You have to constantly learn and constantly grow. It's not for the timid. But there are also a lot of people willing to help, with mentoring or just encouragement.
I've done this for 18 years, and I love it, but I'm antisocial. I hate an office!
Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.
Very good advice. Thanks Heather;-)
grammar, honey, grammar...
Not at all intending to say I was better than you. Merely pointed out that grammar is an integral part of MT and one area in which you are handicapped. I felt my post was respectful, informative and fair. However, feel free to sink your two grand into MT schooling and then try to find a job. I've been at this for over twenty years and I'm telling you right now-- you won't find one...
learning ESL
I was lucky to have a great mentor when I first got out of school. One of the helpful things she told me was to practice speaking with the same accent/syntax as the dictator just as you would if learning words to a song or speaking a second language-she also suggested to not do this in front of small kids!
If you're just learning...
Why are you giving advice?
You're just beginning training. Where have you had marketing experience?
Also #1 priority in transcription and "landing" a job, be able to spell.
I thought I was learning a new
regional phrase and I was gonna ask where you are from!
I can't answer your question because I'm not new. But hang in there. 
Help....Accredition of distance learning?!
I currently work at an on-site technical school and have recently decided to make a career change from my general office position. Upon the start of my searching for on-line schools, I was told by many coworkers to make sure the the school was accreditted by the DETC. Are the "top three schools" accreditted by this body, or any other sort of board of education, other than just being affiliated to AAMT? Does this matter? Is it just as easy/difficult to find an on-site job as it is a home-based job with these "top three schools?" Alot of questions, I know. But I am so excited to start learning transcription, but all the choices out there are slowing down my process. 
Has anyone used the AIM program for learning acute care? Can
s
Thanks Busy!! Tips from pros are always appreciated as I'm learning ...
and I'm sure others are glad for any helpful tidbits that're thrown our way. :)
learning the terms is only HALF of it. You need the listening Skill.
To be quite frank and honest, graduating 5 years ago does not look good. You would be in a much better position if you went to school online ( you might be able to sail thru rather quickly) at say Career Step. Their grads really have no problem getting hired immediately. They transcribe hundreds of tapes before they graduate. Looks good on a resume.
lol nice one
/
Well isn't that nice.
XOXOXOXOXO
At least someone is trying to be nice and help
..
That was really nice of you (see msg)
I'm sure it will help tons of people. Saving Keystrokes is a tad expensive but I've heard nothing but wonderful praises about it. I am seriously considering buying it.
The ABCZ method is quite popular but I haven't settled down and changed my IT entries yet (too much overtime at the moment). Thanks for the post!
Nice.
.
some people....not nice!
I would try in-house to get some experience.
If you have to work at home then try doctor offices that have 1 or 2 docs. They might be more willing to hire someone without experience.
Opppsss..Nice spelling,huh? lol...
I am interested in joining the group. Please let me know how to join.
Thank you!
Oh yeah, that's real nice
You ought to be ashamed of yourself to say that you are helping people when you are dangling a position in her face, and then have enough nerve to rant about it. Everyone has a different situation. So, she says she is Mom first, aren't we all? Geez.... You people are amazing. Lisa, I commend you, for standing up for yourself. You'll make it in this business because it does take assertiveness whether it be now or in the future. Do not think for one minute there are not people in this field choosing their own hours so they can be mothers plus have an income. God bless, good luck, and take care of your children and your business as they only have one mother, but there are plenty of jobs out there for the taking. 
It would be nice if there were current info
in the archives. I just joined them. I've asked on this forum myself about SGS and got no better answer. For the most part thus far, they seem basically okay, though not so quick to respond to questions/concerns.
LPN to MT here. The pay drop will be a shocker, but it's nice to work
m
Sending out prayers that every New MT finds a nice job!
   
So thank you for saying Spheris employees are bumbling. That was nice.
Perhaps the green eyed monster is the one who can't stand the idea of anyone being successful in this field any way OTHER than the Mighty Big Three.
This all sounds nice, but newbies have to choose MTSOs wisely and this one is not a wise choice.
me, I will explain.
grammar
I don't mean to be so critical, but it seems that quite a few people on this forum have poor grammar and very bad spelling. These are two VERY important skills in this profession. I think it would be wise for some people to reconsider their choice in professions. If you never liked Engish in school or did not do well in in this subject, this will not be a good job for you. You will spend too much time correcting yourself. Please think about this.
GrammAR
"What is your very good in all the other parts of MT and only average in the grammer."
You are poor in both grammAr AND spelling. How do you expect to be good with medical terms if you don't even understand basic English?
Grammar
"... mispelling of English terms such as there/their and your/you're. Some MTs tend to think the way a poster spells on an MT board says something about their mastery of the English language."
It does. Either you know correct English grammar, or you do not. If you use the wrong form of a word, it's because you obviously do not know the difference, not just because you happen to be typing someplace besides "at work." Get real.
grammar
Are you the grammar police? I believe that was a simple mistake and I do know the English language, but I am also a happy person you on the other hand do not seem to be. Thank you though for the wonderful uplifting message you left me.
Grammar
grammar
Thanks! sounds like a great idea.
Grammar gals
Hey just wondering if everyone in this business was a top notch grammar gal in high school? 
Since grammar and punctuation are
very important in MT & you say you're having some trouble in that area, you could pick up a copy of a college grammar text book such as 'Little Brown Handbook' and brush up on it. I found it very helpful.
verbatim/grammar
I used to get hung up on the same thing. Do what you feel most comfortable with. When you get a job, they will tell you what they want you to do. Just realize that it very difficult to type exactly what they are comparing you to. Look at it and see if it really an error or just preference of formating.
PCDI teaches some grammar...
Believe it or not, PCDI actually does have a good section of their lessons put aside for grammar. I have still not mastered grammar (I'm not even close), but the lessons that PCDI gave me for grammar sure helped refresh some lost and forgotten rules!
and lots of grammar errors.
It is always good to have dreams.....
Grammar Text Book
Hey sm, just looked for that book on Amazon and there are quite a few different Little Brown Handbooks, could you tell me the ISBN#, author and edition? Thanks.
However, I might suggest you work on your grammar skills!
Most services are looking more for proper spelling, grammar, and
sentence structure than they are layout. I don't give a hoot what the layout looks like because I have my own way of doing things that I train the MT on how to do upon hire.
Not true, I made a 95 once. But grammar and spelling
are key issues as stated below.
There is no need to correct grammar or spelling mistakes on this board. (NM)
Goldbird
couldn't agree more - grammar is critical yet not taught in the MT schools sm
I find it makes or breaks any MT I take on. I wish they would focus more on it. Most people can't figure out plural possessive or whether to use affect or effect.
The egregious grammar errors are much worse than misspelling one word.
Congratulations is not a word used frequently in MT, it was just an example. I'm being honest (and trying to be helpful) suggesting she brush up on grammar. Definitely meant no offense.
Search the boards and send out resumes, and review your grammar and punctuation
s
aren't we lucky this site has you to correct our spelling/grammar usage.
maybe you should consider editing.
Wrong. As I said, her English vocab & grammar were great, but PCDI didn't teach her enough medic
With an adequate school she would have been great. She had been a secretary for years and had transcribed business dictation previously. She just couldn't learn enough terms in 3 months or whatever.
Good. The lab book was a good choice.
Be sure you look through each book when you get it. Put tabs on sections you will want to refer to quickly. I know my lab book (not Stedman's) has all kinds of extra sections. I think my next purchase would be the cardiac book. Then neuro or OB-GYN after that, depending on which you are getting more of in your work.
Would really appreciate advice
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