Ann-Marie
(Balancing Work and Recovery)

Ann-Marie’s career journey took an unexpected turn when she had to step back from her role in project and portfolio management due to mental health challenges. With an MA in translation and a love for working with language, she began searching for a more flexible path – one that would support both her professional goals and personal well-being. That search led her to Knowadays! 

Read on to find out more about Ann-Marie and her freelance proofreading and editing journey.

Hi, Ann-Marie! What were you doing before you started learning with Knowadays?

In terms of education, I have an MA in translation. Before starting the course, I was a civil servant, working in project and portfolio management. 

What made you consider a career as a proofreader or editor?

I had to give up work due to severe mental health challenges, and then I struggled to go back to a “normal” role. While looking for a job I could balance with protecting my mental health, I remembered how much I enjoyed reviewing supplier project documents as part of my portfolio management role and decided to look into proofreading as a career.

What convinced you that Knowadays’ courses were the right choice for you?

I started with an internet search for freelance work, then I tried the free lessons.

The guaranteed work trial with Proofed was the main reason, but the courses looked very good and very comprehensive compared to other providers I had looked at. I liked that I could do it completely from home and at my own pace, which was ideal for me.

Can you tell us a bit about your learning process? Were you studying around work or full-time? 

I wasn’t working, but I was studying around working on my mental health – doctors visits, counselling, etc. I could study on my good days and not worry about it on my bad days.

Did you enjoy taking the courses? Do you feel your investment was good value for money?

I enjoyed the courses and found the interactive test elements very helpful to check my understanding.

I feel it was a worthwhile investment, as I was offered the Proofed trial as soon as I completed the Knowadays courses, so I could start earning and building experience.

How did you find the transition to freelance work?

The hardest part for me is the discipline of going to my office to work when there are so many chores to do and things on my mind. I’m still managing my mental health and am learning to accept that some days I simply can’t work, and I try to make up for it on other days. But that is much easier to do being self-employed.

How was the experience of getting started at Proofed?

I could do the work trial at my own pace, and the Proofed staff were very friendly and encouraging. The feedback was helpful.

I found some elements harder than expected – for example, sometimes only having a title and word count when accepting a document means not knowing how complex the document will be. There weren’t always documents available when I logged in, so the trial took me longer to complete than I had intended.

After my trial, I joined a business team, which has a much higher volume of documents available through the week. They aren’t always available when I log in to work, but I am slowly adapting my working times to align with document availability. 

There is a real sense of community using the messaging app, and help is always available. I am still working on my confidence and am still slower than a more experienced proofreader, but I’m getting there!

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

I have a home office – in my garden shed. I find I am better at working in the morning, so I try to allocate a couple of hours most weekday mornings. However, there isn’t always work available, as my business team documents get uploaded every other day from a US company. Global time zones are a factor – morning for me is the middle of the night in the US!

Do you have a favorite type of document or project to work on?

I’m still trying a variety of different document types. Being British, my preference will always be for UK English, but I am getting used to working with US English.

What do you enjoy most about working as a freelance proofreader and editor?

I like the feeling of improving a document for the client – knowing I have made a difference. The freedom to work at my own pace and around my other commitments and needs is brilliant too.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I enjoy travelling, reading, and crafting – I have recently started cross-stitching. I look after my young nephews. I have always enjoyed making up stories and am trying to get back into creative writing.

How has life changed for you since becoming a freelance proofreader and editor?

After so long feeling unable to work, I am slowly feeling more like a responsible adult again.

What advice would you give someone who’s thinking about taking a Knowadays course?

Go for it!

Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor 

Are you looking for flexible work that fits around your life and supports your well-being? Knowadays can help.

Our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses will teach you everything you need to succeed as a freelance proofreader and editor. If you pass both courses with distinction grades of 80% or above, you’ll be guaranteed work with our partner company, Proofed – just like Ann-Marie. That means you can start gaining experience and earning an income almost straight away.

Buy both courses as a bundle, and you’ll save 15%.

Try a sample for free today to take the first step toward a more flexible future!