Carol
(Starting Over with Confidence)

Carol spent many years as a full-time carer for her mother, which meant putting her own career on hold. When her mother passed away, she began searching for a new career path: something flexible, fulfilling, and suited to her love of reading and writing. 

During the pandemic, Carol discovered Knowadays, and saw an opportunity to turn her passion into a new profession. She took the leap with our proofreading and editing course bundle – and hasn’t looked back since.

Keep reading to find out how Carol built a flexible, fulfilling new career on her own terms.

Hi, Carol! What were you doing before you started learning with Knowadays?

I worked for a bank and a company of professional investigators. I also spent several years as a full-time carer for a relative.

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

I was a full-time carer for many years, and when my mother died, I needed to start over with my career. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, so my options were limited. I saw several adverts for proofreading courses, and as an avid reader and writer, it felt like a good fit for my skills and interests.

What made you decide to sign up to Knowadays?

I did another course first. Although it was useful, it didn’t provide any help once I had completed my studies. Knowadays offered a trial with Proofed upon completion of the course, making it an excellent option for helping me to get started.

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

I was still rebuilding my life after a lengthy break to take on the role of carer, so I took my time with the course. 

Did you enjoy taking the courses? Did you have a favourite lesson, course element, or learning experience?

I did enjoy the courses. I particularly liked the little asides, such as the discussion on the plural form of octopus.

Did you find anything surprising or particularly tricky during the courses? 

As it wasn’t my first proofreading/editing course, I didn’t find anything too tricky. Mostly, I just needed practice to ensure it all became second nature.

Was your course experience what you hoped for, and do you feel it was good value for money?

The experience was a good one, and it was definitely good value for money. Through working, I recovered the full cost of the course within a few months.

What was your experience of the Proofed work trial like?

Although it was nerve-racking, it went smoothly. It was sometimes difficult to pick up documents, so it took a little perseverance to get through the trial. The feedback from the Proofed team was helpful.

What was your experience of Proofed after completing your trial period?

I joined a business client team as soon as I had finished my trial, and I never looked back. Since then, I have worked on multiple teams as an editor and reviewer, and my confidence has continued to increase as I get more experience working on different types of documents.

Did you seek out proofreading work elsewhere, in addition to that at Proofed?

Proofed has kept me quite busy, and things have been going well, so I haven’t sought proofreading work elsewhere.

How often do you proofread or edit for Proofed in a typical week, and where do you usually work from?

I work five or more days a week. I use a laptop, so I can work from whichever room is the warmest and quietest at any given time.

How did you find the transition to freelance work?

I’ve loved working as a freelancer. I enjoy working from home, and the flexibility is nice. You do need to be disciplined to ensure you meet deadlines, but that hasn’t been a problem for me. On a few occasions, work has been a bit slow, which can be worrying, but it’s always picked up again.

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

I work from roughly 9 to 4 during the week. I sometimes work in the evening, particularly if I have a bigger job I want to get through. I’m usually available on weekends, too, depending on what I’m working on.

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

The work is varied and is often (but not always!) interesting. I’ve learned all kinds of interesting things, and I genuinely enjoy what I’m doing.

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

I love working with creative writing. In terms of scope, I like either extreme: a final proofread or a scorched-earth edit! I don’t mind which dialect I work with, but I’ve spent a lot of time editing in US English.

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

Trying to remember different style guides can be challenging, so it’s good to remember to check certain things, even if you think you know how that guide handles the matter.

What do you enjoy most about working freelance or working remotely?

The commute is great! I love not having to leave the house on particularly wet and windy days.

Is there anything you’ve found surprising or challenging about freelance life?

I sometimes have a tendency to overwork, so I need to be careful to maintain balance in my life.

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

I love to read and write, and I also enjoy art and learning new things. And, of course, like most people, I also like watching TV and relaxing.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your current freelance working life?

I love my current freelance work. I still look for ways to learn new (related) skills, and there always seems to be something else I want to know how to do. The flexibility of freelance work also allows me to be more available for my family, and I appreciate never having to beg a boss for time off when I need it.

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

I’m doing work that I enjoy, with people I like, and I’m good at what I do. My confidence has grown in general, and I’m continuing to stretch myself in ways I’d never have imagined before. I actually look forward to starting work each day.

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

Take advantage of the free lessons to see if a course is to your taste. Also, don’t worry about how much time you have to study, as there’s no time limit on the courses. But remember that, if you take too long, you are likely to forget what you already learned and will have to start over!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Taking a chance on the course with the guaranteed trial was the best decision I’ve made for my career.

Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor 

Since completing the courses and joining Proofed, Carol now works five days a week doing something she genuinely enjoys. Her confidence has grown, her skills continue to expand, and she finally feels in control of her working life. Freelancing allows her to stay close to family and work on her own terms – no commute, no rigid schedule, and no need to ask for time off.

Ready to make a change? Our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses will teach you everything you need to start a new career as a freelance proofreader and editor. Pass both courses 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 some free lessons today!