Emily
(The Medical Writer)

Do you need an English degree to work as a proofreader? No! As long as you have the English skills that Knowadays helps you develop, it can be an advantage to have a qualification in another subject area. To see why, let’s meet Emily, a recent graduate of Knowadays and a medical writer with a PhD in cardiovascular medicine.

Hi, Emily! What made you consider the Knowadays course?

I wanted to enter a career in medical writing and editing. I had the subject expertise, but I needed to learn more about the proofreading side of things as a foundation for the medical editing work. Having found Knowadays, I thought it would offer precisely this.

What were you doing before you started the course?

I was doing a PhD in cardiovascular medicine. I’d not done any proofreading before, though.

Was there anything surprising in the course for you?

Overall, the course explained the proofreading process very well. It also provided useful examples that helped me to understand the slightly more complex topics. I now feel capable of editing all types of documents without issue, even outside my subject area.

How has life changed for you now as a freelance proofreader?

I have gained some valuable experience in editing, which I have used alongside my academic expertise to really advance my writing and editing skills. I also enjoy the flexibility of being self-employed and like being my own boss. There is always plenty of work to focus on.

“I have gained some valuable experience in editing, which I have used alongside my academic expertise to really advance my writing and editing skills. I also enjoy the flexibility of being self-employed and like being my own boss. There is always plenty of work to focus on.“

What do you enjoy most about proofreading?

Taking someone’s ideas and helping them turn it into a crisp, succinct and impactful document. I especially enjoy working on journal articles in medicine and the life sciences.

In addition, my education means that I can proofread these medical and scientific documents more effectively than other people, so I’ve found a great niche!

Finally, do you feel the course was good value for money?

It was competitively priced and, as it comes with a guarantee of work, I felt it was well worth the money! In fact, it has been the best investment of my career so far.

Becoming A Proofreader

Want to find out more about freelance proofreading? Try out a free module of our Becoming A Proofreader course and start your journey to a flexible new career today.