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#72926 - 06/05/07 07:02 PM
Career Step Students/Grads
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Pinkcookie
New Member
Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 1
Loc: Orange County, CA
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Hi! I have been lurking around in here for quite some time in order to get some information to help me decide if I should pursue a career in Medical Transcription. So, thank you all very much for your stories and insight and words of wisdom that you didn't even know was effecting my decision. I have just decided between the "3 big schools" to become a student at Career Step and was hoping to receive any experiences bad or good, advice, tips etc. as a student and/or grad. I didn't qualify for the Salli Mae loan so I am going to have to pay for it myself and was also wondering if it's worth it.... Thanks.
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#72934 - 06/05/07 09:02 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: Pinkcookie]
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Mojeaux
Member
Registered: 09/21/03
Posts: 2197
Loc: Kansas City
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affecting
I have just decided between the "3 big schools" to become a student at Career Step and was hoping to receive any experiences bad or good, advice, tips etc. as a student and/or grad.
Well, now why would you ask our opinions after you've already decided?
Short answer:
1) Go take the skills test at Andrews and see how you do. That will tell you if you already have the English chops to do this job.
2) If you pass that, pick Andrews or M-Tec, even if you have to wait a little longer to scrounge up the tuition money.
3) Since you haven't plunked down the funds for Career Step yet, I'm going to say this once and only once: Don't do it. Too many reasons why I say that and you can search the archives under my moniker to find out my opinion about the place (although I now have additional opinions).
If I sound curt, it's not because of you or your question. It's because of the subject matter--and the fact that I still feel obligated to pipe up to save yet another unsuspecting soul.
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#72935 - 06/05/07 09:47 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: Pinkcookie]
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FarAwayDeb
Member
Registered: 03/15/02
Posts: 3155
Loc: just south of Rochester, NY
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I have never seen a graduate of Andrews School or M-Tec wish that they had gone to any other school.
I HAVE seen Career Step graduates, myself included, who wish they had chosen Andrews or M-Tec.
Plenty of reasons, and you can search for posts under my name as well as Mojeaux to find them.
By the way, absolutely NOTHING except positive things are allowed to be posted at the Career Step student forum, so if you've been reading there, you have a right to be aware of that.
_________________________
Good grammar ain't easy.
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#72939 - 06/05/07 10:13 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: FarAwayDeb]
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PugMomx2
Junior Member
Registered: 03/08/07
Posts: 29
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By the way, absolutely NOTHING except positive things are allowed to be posted at the Career Step student forum, so if you've been reading there, you have a right to be aware of that.
This is the honest truth. I spoke up about my bad experience with Career Step on their forum and I was immediately banned.
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#72946 - 06/05/07 11:25 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: PugMomx2]
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PegB
Member
Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 110
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I went to CS.
I passed the final after 4 attempts (they only allow 3), I guess I was "special".
I got a job and have been working for 2 years now. I feel that I have learned more in my job than I ever did in the course, however, I didn't put much effort into the course when I first started.
CS doesn't hold your hand while you do the course. It is self-paced and you have to put in the effort and rely on the message board for MT guidance. If you want step-by-step guidance, then M-Tec or Andrews would better suit your needs.
Per FarAwayDeb: "By the way, absolutely NOTHING except positive things are allowed to be posted at the Career Step student forum, so if you've been reading there, you have a right to be aware of that."
I found that out to be true and it wasn't even an MT-related topic. It is a very "positive" forum, however, if you want to look at more than a one-sided view, I would suggest you try another forum.
I have changed some views on my MT school choice, however, I don't regret it. I paid $1500.00, got what I needed, and worked my butt off after employment to attain where I am today. It's what worked for me, however, it wasn't the easy way to go.
JMO
Peg (who is surprised that this topic hasn't been locked as of yet)... 
Peg
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#72948 - 06/05/07 11:33 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: PegB]
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Mojeaux
Member
Registered: 09/21/03
Posts: 2197
Loc: Kansas City
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I paid $1500.00, got what I needed, and worked my butt off after employment to attain where I am today. It's what worked for me, however, it wasn't the easy way to go.
Yeah, what she said.
Peg (who is surprised that this topic hasn't been locked as of yet)...
Everything that has been said is factual and she has been referred to the search feature. I don't expect it'll be locked unless a flame war breaks out.
On a different note, Peg, I know you said you have changed some of your opinions, but I seem to recall in the past you were more pro-CS than this post would indicate. Did I miss something or is my remembery all askew?
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#72950 - 06/05/07 11:45 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: Mojeaux]
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PegB
Member
Registered: 11/05/06
Posts: 110
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You didn't miss anything Mojo.
I guess my "label" back then was pro-CS, however, I came to realize that I should have been pro-Peg if that makes any sense.
I am now just a "statistic".
I got pretty much a "free ride" when it came to my MT schooling. I barely put in the effort, until the last half of the course. I was given more chances to "pass" than is offered and I was hired within a few weeks of graduating (considering myself lucky). Now that I have been working for 2 years (still a newbie), I am realizing how much I had to re-learn, blah, blah, blah. It's all really boring actually. However, if I could do it all over again, I would still do it the same way as I have learned many things. I have finally crawled out of the hole I put myself in.
Peg
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#72953 - 06/05/07 11:58 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: PegB]
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Mojeaux
Member
Registered: 09/21/03
Posts: 2197
Loc: Kansas City
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Ah, my condolences on the first, but kudos on the second for bootstrapping so well.
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#72961 - 06/06/07 01:06 AM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: PegB]
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FarAwayDeb
Member
Registered: 03/15/02
Posts: 3155
Loc: just south of Rochester, NY
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CS doesn't hold your hand while you do the course. It is self-paced and you have to put in the effort and rely on the message board for MT guidance. If you want step-by-step guidance, then M-Tec or Andrews would better suit your needs.
What is ridiculous about help on the message board is that other students are almost always the ones answering any questions, and many of them have not even reached the level of the course that is being questioned! I can't tell you how many times you'll see "I'm only in such-and-such portion of the course, but I think ..."
And the same is true when a question is asked of "working grads" and the responses start out with "I haven't finished the course yet, but ...."
It's not easy to learn from students who know less than you do! 
_________________________
Good grammar ain't easy.
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#72968 - 06/06/07 08:07 AM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: Pinkcookie]
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Gomer
Junior Member
Registered: 06/18/06
Posts: 46
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Since you seem to have already chosen the school you wish to attend, I will simply share the following:
1. Purchase a copy of the AAMT Book of Style for Medical Transcription Second Edition and read it cover to cover prior to starting the transcription portion of the course. You will be told that by students and staff that this is not necessary, but there are no style guidelines with the course.
2. Purchase a current edition of The Language of Medicine by Davi-Ellen Chabner. This is a more comprehensive and accurate workbook than is provided with the course you are considering and is a good reference for the transcription portion of the course.
3. I also recommend the HPI textbooks. These books are chock-full of valuable information that will help you better understand what you will be transcribing.
4. You might also check out the SUM program CDs. I only worked with a few of them, but they were extraordinarily helpful. You will need a different foot pedal than the one provided with the CS course, but you can buy a used one to save a bit of money.
5. I will echo the previous sentiments regarding the student forum. When you find information there that seems like good advice (usually from working grads) print it out and save it. CS does have a propensity for deleting user accounts, and when those users are gone so is the valuable information they took the time and effort to share. Also, it is my understanding that some of the staff have very little or no actual transcription experience, so verifying information independently is a must.
6. Read the forums and websites dedicated to MT. If you don't understand the topic, research it. Starting out, I did not know enough to know what questions to ask. Now I find that a simple search at a resource, like here or Productivity Talk, will provide the information I am looking for and more.
7. If you are in any way lacking in computer knowledge, take a class or two.
8. Reconsider Andrews or M-Tec.
You will hear "CS grads get jobs and that is what matters," and to them it is. What should matter to you is how steep that learning curve is going to be when you start your first job and the quality of employer that will be willing to hire you. I am a CS grad. I accepted job with an excellent company within a few days of starting my job hunt, but I used resources outside of CS to give me a better foundation than their course alone provides. I was lucky to have some folks point out the weaknesses of that course and to be in a position to afford to round out my education using other materials and resources.
Edited by Gomer (06/06/07 08:50 AM)
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#72985 - 06/06/07 12:26 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: Gomer]
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Mojeaux
Member
Registered: 09/21/03
Posts: 2197
Loc: Kansas City
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Gomer, excellent, EXCELLENT post. Bravo! That should be stickied.
1. Purchase...
2. Purchase...
3. I also recommend [i.e., purchase, ed.]...
4. You might also check out the SUM program CDs [ibid.]...
4a. ...foot pedal...buy...
7. ...lacking in computer knowledge, take a class or two [ibid.].
I used resources outside of CS to give me a better foundation than their course alone provides. I was lucky to have some folks point out the weaknesses of that course and to be in a position to afford to round out my education using other materials and resources.
I think it should be noted how many times Gomer referenced the outlay of more money to achieve good results. By the time a person considering CS buys what is necessary to make herself a good job candidate, she may have spent the difference between CS and either Andrews or M-Tec.
The moral of the story is to go ahead and spend wisely the first time, as these resources are already packaged within the tuition price of Andrews and M-Tec.
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#72987 - 06/06/07 12:46 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: PegB]
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Gisele Dubson
Member
Registered: 05/28/99
Posts: 7294
Loc: Boulder, CO, USA
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CS doesn't hold your hand while you do the course. It is self-paced and you have to put in the effort and rely on the message board for MT guidance. If you want step-by-step guidance, then M-Tec or Andrews would better suit your needs.
Peg
Just keep in mind that what you teach yourself or what you learn from that message board may, in fact, be wrong.
_________________________
Gisele F. Dubson, RHIA,CMT, Mercury Medical Communications
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#72996 - 06/06/07 01:59 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: Gisele Dubson]
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meri
Member
Registered: 09/08/01
Posts: 8827
Loc: Murrieta, California
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It always bothers me when people say "If you don't need your hand held, go to Career Step rather than M-TEC or Andrews." I'm not even sure what in the heck that means. I went to Andrews. NOBODY held my hand. They taught me, corrected me, and made sure I didn't leave until I was employable. If that is what is considered hand-holding, then I'm all for it.
Meri
ETA: I finished the course is 6 months and was employed within 2 weeks of graduating.
Edited by meri (06/06/07 02:00 PM)
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#73000 - 06/06/07 02:14 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: meri]
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FarAwayDeb
Member
Registered: 03/15/02
Posts: 3155
Loc: just south of Rochester, NY
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It always bothers me when people say "If you don't need your hand held, go to Career Step rather than M-TEC or Andrews." I'm not even sure what in the heck that means. I went to Andrews. NOBODY held my hand. They taught me, corrected me, and made sure I didn't leave until I was employable. If that is what is considered hand-holding, then I'm all for it.
I agree, and I don't know why that "hand-holding" phrase keeps coming up. It's not hand holding just because some real person who actually knows what they are doing is there to teach you something and help you when you need it (as opposed to struggling along on your own, most of the time with only other students offering their "opinion" as help).
There are no instructors at CS, only "forum moderators," and sure you can email them with a question, but I'm sorry, that's not the same thing. And without that forum full of students, if all students emailed all questions to the "staff" who supposedly actually know the answers, it's just unthinkable what would happen.
_________________________
Good grammar ain't easy.
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#73003 - 06/06/07 02:38 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: FarAwayDeb]
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Inaminit
Member
Registered: 11/28/04
Posts: 379
Loc: Corvette City
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I am the exception rather than the rule. I am a Career Step graduate and, while I do think believe it hurt me personally, I was motivated strictly by tuition cost (bad idea). I worked my tail off, am very self-motivated, did a lot of outside research, worked at it all day and half the night and graduated in 3 months with honors. I went to work immediately for MedQuist. I have since left MedQuist and am happily working for a wonderful company. Be prepared to work hard.
However, if I had it to do over again I would go through Andrews. You really cannot put a price on good education.
Inaminit
Edited to say this was supposed to be directed to the OP. Sorry about that!
Edited by Inaminit (06/06/07 02:57 PM)
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#73006 - 06/06/07 02:53 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: Gomer]
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ginkay
New Member
Registered: 10/25/05
Posts: 11
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1. Purchase a copy of the AAMT Book of Style for Medical Transcription Second Edition and read it cover to cover prior to starting the transcription portion of the course. You will be told that by students and staff that this is not necessary, but there are no style guidelines with the course. 2. Purchase a current edition of The Language of Medicine by Davi-Ellen Chabner. This is a more comprehensive and accurate workbook than is provided with the course you are considering and is a good reference for the transcription portion of the course. 3. I also recommend the HPI textbooks. These books are chock-full of valuable information that will help you better understand what you will be transcribing. 4. You might also check out the SUM program CDs. I only worked with a few of them, but they were extraordinarily helpful. You will need a different foot pedal than the one provided with the CS course, but you can buy a used one to save a bit of money.
I am a recent Andrews grad and would just like to mention that all of the above are included in the Andrews tuition. While a student at Andrews, I did not purchase anything more than a notebook.
I cannot recommend an Andrews education strongly enough. I was offered a job with a very good company exactly 1 week after graduation. Andrews provides an excellent education but be prepared to work for it. It is not an easy course and requires dedication and commitment. Exactly what the MT career requires once working.
If you have not yet paid your tuition, I respectfully urge you to reconsider your choice of school.
Ginger
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#73011 - 06/06/07 03:17 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: ginkay]
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JustJ
Member
Registered: 09/24/04
Posts: 1333
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What is worrying me at the moment is that an awful lot of recent grads from CS seem to think that an internship program with Focus, UNPAID FOR 3 WEEKS, is a good idea. I have been trying to find the thread in question to make sure I got my information right, but it may have been deleted because there were quite a few negative comments in it.
Maybe FarAwayDeb can help me out on this one because I know I didn't dream it up.
J
Edited by JustJ (06/06/07 03:35 PM)
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#73016 - 06/06/07 03:39 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: JustJ]
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FarAwayDeb
Member
Registered: 03/15/02
Posts: 3155
Loc: just south of Rochester, NY
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It's a 3-week program, not 3 months. They used to hire right out of school, now Focus requires that unless you have 1 year's experience, you must go through their "Focus on the Future" program which is 3 weeks of unpaid training. You must do at least 5 reports per day (don't know if you can do more or not). If/when they think you are good enough, they will hire you. (They used to pay half pay for reports transcribed during this program, and also paid long-distance charges for training sessions, but they no longer do this.) It has been stated that the reports are already completed and submitted by MTs, but saved for the people in the training to use for learning purposes, in other words [supposedly] they are not making money from the reports transcribed by the trainee.
I don't like the idea personally, but for those who can't pass employment tests after finishing CS, sometimes I guess they figure it's their only hope of getting employment.
_________________________
Good grammar ain't easy.
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#73031 - 06/06/07 05:25 PM
Re: Career Step Students/Grads
[Re: ginkay]
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Jiffer
Member
Registered: 11/01/06
Posts: 143
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I am a recent M-TEC grad and was also a working MT while I took the course. I realized what I did not know, and through the guidance of many wise people on this board, I "went back to school." It was a toss up for me for either Andrews or M-TEC. I don't believe you can go wrong with either one. I was "educated" back in the 1970s when the education was what it was - not a lot. I am working still, not having to apply for a job when I graduated M-TEC as I already had one. However, I must say that I learned a heck of a lot with M-TEC and am much more confident and SO glad to have that diploma!
I agree completely with Ginger. I did not have to purchase anything besides a notebook with my M-TEC course.
As our own bobbcat has said, "It's either Andrews or M-TEC."
Off of soapbox now.
Jiffer
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