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#107447 - 08/14/08 08:34 AM
Using MT education later?
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mktkey
New Member
Registered: 02/17/07
Posts: 15
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I don't mean to wear out my welcome, but I've narrowed down what I'm doing and have one more request for advice.
In a nutshell, I'm planning on going for a master's in environmental science (leaning toward environmental education). I am also currently working full-time in a temp job while I'm finishing up Session 7 at M-TEC.
I've reached the point where I'm going to need extensions to finish, and it will take me about a year from here. I've been doing well grade-wise, although it's taking me longer than I'd hoped.
My plan is to finish at M-TEC since I have this much time and money invested already. I then hope to attend grad school full-time starting in the fall of 2009. I would like to keep MT as a backup option in case I am unable to find a job in the environmental field in my area (which is possible). My question is: if I needed to, would it be possible to start in MT a couple of years after graduation with no work experience during that span? Would I be able to do well enough by reviewing my course materials before testing?
Another possible option I'm considering is doing MT part-time while I go to school, although my first choice would be working a paid internship part-time while in school.
Thanks for any replies!
Steph
Just wanted to add that I don't mean to make MT sound like an easy fallback plan, and I don't mean to insult anyone because an MT career is not my top priority. I know that MT can be difficult, especially to start, but there also seem to be plenty of jobs available for M-TEC and Andrews graduates.
Edited by mktkey (08/14/08 08:42 AM)
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#107449 - 08/14/08 09:12 AM
Re: Using MT education later?
[Re: mktkey]
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Linda Andrews CMT
Moderator-Andrews School
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 5429
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK US
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Much of it depends on the quality of the work you do and your ability to get it done in a timely manner. Your instructor can guide you about how you're doing in those respects.
I don't think MT is a very good part-time job while you go to school and/or start another career. It's just too intense. You would be exhausted and probably end up doing a poor job of both. If you happen to be exceptionally talented, you could do it, but most probably would struggle badly.
Also, coming back to it a couple of years later after not using it right out of school usually doesn't work well. You can review, but all the momentum you have going as a graduate will be gone and your confidence level as well as all the current industry information won't be at the level it is when you just finish school. That's a major problem. It is possible? Yes, but not probable, that you would succeed at a very high level doing it that way.
The truth is though, you have to do what you have to do. If that's your best option, do the highest level of work you can do while you're in school, take lots of notes, keep your study materials and everything your instructors have given you. Use those when you are ready to start work. You might just luck into a part-time job that is ideal for your situation.
Talk to your school. They can give you advice based on your own track record with them. That makes a big difference.
Good luck with your plans, whatever you decide! 
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#107451 - 08/14/08 09:16 AM
Re: Using MT education later?
[Re: mktkey]
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14tonks
Member
Registered: 10/25/01
Posts: 7170
Loc: Only 3rd world country in US
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There are plenty of jobs available for new M-TEC and Andrews graduates. However, if you don't work in the field at all for several years after graduation, then it would be different. Even the best schooling can only get you just about prepared to deal with the rest of the on-the-job learning you need. If you don't put it to any use for several years, it's the same as any other skill you study for a while but don't ever actually use--it's going to rust, and it's going to get outdated. Employers know that, and you would have a much harder time finding anyone willing to waive the 2-year-experience requirement several years after graduation with no intervening work experience.
As far as working part time while in school is concerned, that would be possible, but it's also going to be a very tough row to hoe. No matter how good the school, a newbie has to work very, very hard for the first year or two to expand her knowledge base and master her tools. Working only part time, that learning curve gets much longer, but no less exhausting. You may be able to make it work, but if your grad school courses are also intellectually demanding and require long hours of study as well, you may end up a basket case.
Working part time as an MT while in graduate school is a good idea for the same people working part time with a new baby at home is a good idea for--MTs who already have a few solid years of acute care experience under their belts. Since they already know how to do the job and have built up a good knowledge base, they can keep their skills sharp working just a couple of hours a day, and the work is not such a strain on them as it is for a newbie.
My advice would be to try to find a relatively easy clinic dictation job if you decide to try to combine newbie MT with grad student--it won't give you any references for an acute care job in the future, but you may be able to learn enough quickly enough to concentrate on your studies while making a little money transcribing. By the same token, if you don't do MT at all for several years after graduation, you will need to consider working your way up from the same kind of simpler MT job or returning to school for a brush up if you want to be tested for acute care.
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#107452 - 08/14/08 09:35 AM
Re: Using MT education later?
[Re: mktkey]
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viola33
Member
Registered: 12/06/06
Posts: 1105
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mtk,
I don't see why anyone should be offended by what you personally do or don't find easy or by your personal priorities.
Regarding finding a job later: You say there seem to be 'plenty of jobs' available for M-Tec and Andrews grads. Well, yes and no. I know of grads who got jobs within days. Others took weeks. Many new grads, and even experienced MTs, do a lot of job hopping to find positions they can live with and at which they can make decent money.
Also, I have never been in your particular situation, but I do know that many job ads specifically say they want X years of 'recent' or 'current' transcription experience. The field changes quickly, especially in certain fields, and there is a level of 'fitness' you would absolutely lose by not doing any MT for a while, especially a couple of years, and then picking it back up - especially right out of school when you won't have the production-related skills under your belt yet anyway. To let the skills slide for a couple years would definitely work against you. Would it be 'possible?' Well, sure - anything is possible. Since most employment tests aren't timed and allow/require you to use references, you could almost certainly review and study enough to pass a test if you have the skills/smarts to pass M-Tec in the first place.
The question is, once having found an employer that would look past the gap between graduation and work, and then having passed the test, would you make enough money for it to be worth all that? Even grads who come right out of school and go straight to work don't make much money right out of the gate. Most of them don't make decent money for a year or 2. If you were having to review, study, build your speed back up, learn a platform, etc, my guess is that you would have a very difficult time meeting the minimum production standards for corporate employers, or you would be making less than minimum wage as an IC.
Short answer? If I personally needed a 'fallback' plan, this wouldn't be it. I do understand about having already invested a bunch of time and money, but if you are really just looking for a backup plan to help you get somewhere else or to keep you afloat if things go wrong, you might at this point just be throwing good money after bad. What you want to get out of the course and what you would get out of finishing it in terms of learning, personal growth, etc, are another matter.
Another possibility might be to look into doing general transcription. That uses the same basic skills (translating sound into written copy) that you have begun to learn but does not require the same study and learning curve as MT. Often the turnaround time is not as fast. There may be opportunities for doing academic work (lectures, interviews, etc) at the school you will be attending. I have done that kind of work before and found that, compared to MT, it is easier not only in terms of content but often in terms of audio quality. Lecturers WANT to be heard, as do people in interview situations, etc.
Best of luck.
Edited to say: Cross-posted with Tonks. Sorry for duplicate info.
Edited by viola33 (08/14/08 09:38 AM)
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#112359 - 09/09/08 01:03 PM
Re: Using MT education later?
[Re: viola33]
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Quig
Junior Member
Registered: 06/21/08
Posts: 90
Loc: Rhode Island
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I came back after 14 years as an attorney and have done fairly well on the tests and job offers. I had some strong terminologies like cardiology and gastroenterology that stuck with me over all those years.
Certainly you could do it after a couple of years, however I did work 10 years as an MT. My suggestion is to pick up a part time job as MT on the weekends. Hey can always use the money and will keep your skills up. I have a PT for a hospital ER which is pretty easy and fun. Not a lot of money but gets me back in the game.
Quig
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