Lisa
(Learning New Skills)

Whether you want to kickstart a new career or invest in your professional development, there are lots of benefits to learning new skills. Learning a new skill can open the door to career opportunities and boost your self-confidence and motivation.

Lisa, a full-time research scientist, took our Becoming A Proofreader course to improve her knowledge of English writing rules. She now works for Proofed in her spare time, and her new skills have been valuable in her day job, too!

Read our catch up below.

Hi, Lisa! What made you consider Becoming A Proofreader?

I wanted to improve my knowledge of English writing rules.

What were you doing before you started the course?

I was working full time as a research scientist.

Was there anything surprising or particularly challenging in the course for you?

Learning about Microsoft Word’s Compare tool was very surprising! I had previously worked on academic manuscripts and theses that involved using track changes, and all that time, I had no idea there was an easier way to proofread documents.

What has been the single best benefit of having done the course?

Being given the opportunity to work with Proofed!

How has your transition to working as a freelance proofreader with Proofed been?

Very smooth! My Proofed application documents were processed just over one week after I passed the Knowadays course, so I was able to begin working with Proofed very quickly. In my first month working with Proofed, I earned over double the cost of the course. The feedback I received from the editors at Proofed was also really valuable and helped me become a better proofreader with every document that I completed.

Have you been self-employed before? How are you finding it?

I haven’t been self-employed before. I really like the flexibility in working hours, and I enjoy choosing to proofread only when I’m in the mood to do so.

How has life changed for you as a freelance proofreader?

I still work full time as a scientist, but I proofread documents for Proofed in my free time. It’s been nice to earn some extra income this way, and it’s also been wonderful to see my proofreading ability and speed improve over the last few months. The skills and knowledge that I am developing are also useful to my day job; I am involved in writing manuscripts and other documents for my company, so I now feel I can do a better job of generating that material as well.

“It’s been nice to earn some extra income this way, and it’s also been wonderful to see my proofreading ability and speed improve over the last few months.“

What is your day-to-day routine like now?

I work a standard work week for my day job, but after work or on the weekends, if I’m feeling the urge to do some proofreading (which I often do, it’s quite fun!), I’ll make myself a cup of tea and sit down for a few hours to proofread some documents.

Was the course good value for money?

Yes, I think the course was good value for money because it covers a range of topics that provide a solid foundation for proofreading. The guaranteed work offer with Proofed makes the course even more valuable.

What do you enjoy most about proofreading?

I enjoy making edits that I know will improve the clarity and flow of someone’s writing. I also love the diversity of documents and ideas that I get to read about as I proofread.

Do you have a favorite type of document or subject area to proofread?

I have an academic background, so I enjoy proofreading manuscripts, theses, and university assignments.

Where do you proofread?

I typically proofread at home from my computer, but I also enjoy proofreading in cafes using my laptop.

What do you do when you aren’t proofreading?

I like to try out new cuisines, read non-fiction books, watch psychological thriller films, and go for long walks in the city.

Is there any advice you’d give to someone who is currently thinking about taking Becoming A Proofreader?

Complete the trial course! It will give you a really good preview of the high quality of the learning materials and the self-paced nature of the course.

Do you have a website or LinkedIn profile?

Yes, I have a LinkedIn profile.

Becoming A Proofreader

Want to learn some new skills or take your career to the next level? Knowadays can help. Our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses are designed to equip you with all of the skills you need to work as a freelance proofreader or editor. Try them for free today!