Karen
(Making a Fresh Start)

Karen had already had a rich and varied career when life threw her a series of challenges. After being retrenched, going through a divorce, and recovering from major surgery, she was ready for a fresh start – one that would bring both stability and freedom. Freelance proofreading and editing offered exactly that.

Keep reading to find out how Karen built a new routine, and a new livelihood, with Knowadays.

Hi, Karen! Can you tell us where you’re from and a bit about your background?

I live in Cape Town, South Africa, and I’ve had a varied career as a ballet teacher, an artist, and a master baker.

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

At 67 years old, I was retrenched, my marriage fell apart, and I needed a hip replacement. Close to destitute, I needed a job – and because I’m an avid reader, I decided to give it a go.

Was there something in particular that convinced you to choose Knowadays?

I searched online for proofreading courses, and it was one of the few that included UK, US, and Australian dialects.

Can you tell us about your process with taking the courses?

I studied part-time, over around 6 months, and I went straight into the editing course after completing the proofreading one.

I enjoyed them, but it was a shock to the system studying again after so many years of physical work!

Did you find anything particularly tricky during the courses?

Our schooling was in UK English, so I did struggle a bit with learning US dialect differences. 

Can you tell us about your experience with the Proofed work trial?

I started in July 2024 and finished the trial in a month or two. It was harder than I expected, but the support was super.

How did you find Proofed after completing your trial period?

I joined a business client team, and I’m still a bit slow but improving.

How did you find the transition to freelance proofreading and editing?

I’ve always been self-employed, so that was the easy part. However, not having worked in an office before, I didn’t realise how much support was available from the admin team and other editors at Proofed.

Can you tell us about your current work setup? Do you have a set routine?

I take documents for Proofed five or more days a week, and my bedroom is my workspace.

In terms of when I work, I house and pet sit, so I try to work 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., then slot in more if I can during the day.

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

There’s always support available, and I’m learning a lot.

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

I’m more comfortable working with UK and Australian English, and I enjoy proofreading academic essays.

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

Not knowing anything about this work before I started, everything was surprising and a bit challenging to begin with! But now I’m enjoying being a proofreader and editor.

What do you enjoy most about working freelance or remotely?

The freedom to be able to work from anywhere and at any time.

And is there anything you’ve found surprising about freelance life?

It’s given my self-esteem a boost.

Are you doing any other work aside from proofreading and editing?

House and pet sitting works perfectly alongside taking documents at Proofed. I occasionally get painting commissions that I can do around proofreading and editing.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t working?

Exercising, gardening, painting, and socialising.

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

I’m no longer stressed about what is going to happen to me. I can earn a living doing this for the rest of my life.

This has been the ideal start to my new reality.

What has been the biggest benefit of taking the Knowadays courses?

The educational aspect. I’ve always enjoyed learning new things, and in this field, there’s always something new for me to learn, such as how to format documents or proofread PDFs.

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

Brush up on your grammar if school was a long time ago!

Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor 

Karen’s story is proof that it’s never too late to forge a new path.

Whether you’re changing direction or simply looking for something more flexible, our CPD-accredited courses can help you take the next step. Pass both the Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses with distinction, and you’ll be eligible for a guaranteed work trial with our partner company, Proofed. Plus, you’ll save 15% by buying them as a bundle!

Try some free lessons today and see where your next chapter could lead.