Austin
(Building New Career Skills)

With a master’s degree in mathematics and experience editing educational content, Austin was no stranger to working with detail. But, over time, he realised he also loved working with language – and the satisfaction that comes from helping writers communicate their ideas clearly and effectively. Looking to build on his skills and explore new career opportunities, he signed up for our proofreading and editing course bundle.

Keep reading to see how Austin is building on his strengths and carving out a new direction for his career.

Hi, Austin! Can you tell us a bit about your background and what you were doing before joining Knowadays?

I live in San Tan Valley, Arizona, and I have a master’s degree in mathematics from Arizona State University. I also worked as a graduate teaching assistant for the math department for three years.

For the last two and a half years, I have worked on a freelance basis as a math curriculum editor for Rational Reasoning, which is where I was working when I took the Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses.

Had you done any proofreading or editing work before starting the courses?

As part of my work as a freelance curriculum editor, I would frequently proofread educational math materials (online and in print).

What made you consider a career as a proofreader?

For most of my life, I have had the ability to quickly notice mistakes in written works, an attention to detail that I hoped would serve me well in my mathematics studies. I was often told that I was a strong writer, which I feel stemmed from my lifelong love of reading. I would informally review writing for friends and family, but I always considered my language skills inferior to my knowledge of mathematics. 

However, after graduating, I found that I enjoyed the process of amending typographical and mathematical errors and improving the clarity of the materials I reviewed as a curriculum editor. I became interested in exploring the possibility of shifting careers to focus on improving writing across many subjects.

What convinced you Knowadays was the right choice for you?

I researched several online proofreading courses and read their reviews. Knowadays courses were consistently praised in testimonials, and I was encouraged to register after learning about the guaranteed work opportunity available upon graduation. I also appreciated the lifelong course access and continual improvements made to course materials.

Can you tell us a bit about your experience of taking the courses? Did you have a favorite part?

I took the courses during a short gap in my freelance work. I took my time with them, completing each one in about a month with a short break in between.

I enjoyed taking both courses very much. I especially liked learning about regional differences in language use across English-speaking countries, as well as the different considerations when editing for academic, business, or creative writing contexts.

Did you find anything particularly tricky during the courses?

One of the more difficult skills to learn was deciding when it is best to make an edit directly and when to leave a recommendation as a comment. I was surprised to learn how cautious a proofreader must be in suggesting changes beyond fixing basic language errors. Although editors have more freedom to make adjustments, it is easy to overstep the job role. I learned that a good balance is to make sure to comment when a change might alter the author’s intended meaning so they can decline it if they choose.

Was your course experience what you hoped for? Do you feel it was good value for money?

I was very pleased with the course experience, as it was more thorough than I had first anticipated it would be. I believe that the courses were great value, especially because I purchased them during a sale campaign on the website.

What was your experience of the Proofed work trial like?

I started the Proofed trial in May 2024, and it was different from what I had expected because documents did not come in on a regular basis and many were due back very quickly. There were times when no documents were available for proofreading. However, when I did proofread, the feedback was clear and helpful.

Did you continue working for Proofed after completing your trial? Or have you taken on proofreading work elsewhere?

I did not work at Proofed beyond the trial period. But after completing my courses, I proofread and helped edit the latest edition of the course text for a precalculus class offered by my company. I also proofread all the virtual materials in preparation for the changes made in the new edition.

How have you found the transition to freelance proofreading?

I had worked on a freelance basis before completing the proofreading and editing courses, so I did not experience much of a transition.

It has been difficult to find proofreading and editing work because my formal education is in mathematics, but I am actively working to present my experiences in math and writing in a way that highlights the strengths of each.

Where do you work from, and what does a typical work day look like for you?

My workspace is a desk in my bedroom with a laptop, a desk lamp, and a platform that allows me to work standing or sitting. I have my reference materials close by and easily accessible.

Since I work on a freelance basis, I do not have a consistent schedule. When I have a project, I tend to work on it during afternoons until it is complete.

What do you enjoy most about proofreading? Do you have a favorite style of document to work on?

I enjoy the opportunity to read and learn about many subjects while improving the quality of authors’ writing to make the greatest impact on their audiences.

My experiences so far have been limited to proofreading and light editing of educational materials for US audiences, but I would welcome the opportunity to engage with proofreading and editing general fiction and nonfiction.

Is there anything you’ve found surprising about the job?

I have found it surprising how easily errors and inconsistencies can emerge during the process of content creation when writers are focused on presenting materials as they see fit. Taking my time to read through each piece as if it were being read aloud helps to detect most of these errors.

How do you like to spend time when you aren’t working?

I enjoy reading, writing, listening to classical music, and solving mathematical or logical puzzles.

How have things changed for you since completing the Knowadays courses?

I feel that a wider range of career opportunities is available to me and that I have a skill set that can prove useful in any position. I also feel that I am a more effective writer.

I appreciate having a formal credential to demonstrate my ability to understand and improve written content, which increases my marketability.

Is there any advice you would give to someone who’s thinking about taking a Knowadays course? 

I would advise them to take their time to process the materials using whatever methods they find effective (perhaps by taking written notes) and to engage with all of the practice materials. A great way to know whether you are understanding the content is if you can readily offer corrections or suggestions for written work you are reading casually outside the course itself.

Do you have a website or LinkedIn profile you’d be happy for us to share?

My LinkedIn profile is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-ryba/ 

Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor 

Since completing our courses, Austin has continued editing educational materials – now with a broader skill set and a formal qualification to back it up. He’s exploring new ways to combine his strengths in mathematics and language, and feels more confident taking on work that goes beyond his original field of study.

Thinking about shifting career direction or building new skills? Our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses are designed to help you excel as a proofreader or editor. Pass both with a distinction (80% or above), and you’ll be eligible for guaranteed work with our partner company, Proofed.

Buy both courses as a bundle and save 15%. 

Try them for free today and take the first step toward your next career move.