Laura
(The Working Parent)

We’re living in challenging times, and this is especially so for working parents. But freelance proofreading offers regular, well-paid work that fits around family commitments. In today’s blog post, we chat with Laura, a working parent and recent Knowadays graduate, who took advantage of her keen eye for grammar and became a freelance proofreader.

What made you consider the Knowadays course?

Shortly before the pandemic began, I was looking for a change of direction and a job that would work around my young family’s needs. As someone who notices (and gets annoyed by!) mistakes in books, websites, blog posts, etc., I thought proofreading might be an interesting area to explore. Knowadays appealed to me because of its detailed course and the opportunity to work with Proofed.

What were you doing before you started the course?

Before my job was made redundant, I worked for an insurance company as a manager in a product development team. Right before starting the course, I was caring for and home-schooling my two children while their schools were closed.

Was there anything unexpected or particularly challenging in the course for you?

I discovered there is a lot more to proofreading than you might think. But the Knowadays course is very thorough and explains everything clearly.

How has your transition to working with Proofed been?

I’ve continued to learn by proofreading real documents and using the resources that Proofed provides. Being able to work at my own pace has helped me to gain confidence.

How has life changed for you as a freelance proofreader?

Being able to choose when I work has allowed me to fit proofreading around my family commitments, meaning freelance proofreading is less stressful than the job I had before.

“Being able to choose when I work has allowed me to fit proofreading around my family commitments, meaning freelance proofreading is less stressful than the job I had before.“

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

On the days I want to work, I try to get a document from the queue first thing in the morning. Then I get my children ready and take them to school, knowing that when I get back, I’ll be able to work in peace. I work for as long as I need to before picking my children up from school and handling my other responsibilities at home.

What do you enjoy most about proofreading?

The satisfaction of polishing a document until it’s clear, correct, and easy to read.

Do you have a favorite type of document or subject area to proofread?

No. At the moment, I’m trying out different types of documents to proofread so I can gain as much experience as possible.

What do you do when you aren’t proofreading?

I’m usually looking after my children and spending time with my family. I also enjoy reading, cooking, and getting outdoors.

Becoming a Proofreader

If you’re a working parent who’d like more flexibility and freedom, our Becoming A Proofreader course might be perfect for you. Whatever your situation, Knowadays can put you on the path to rewarding, profitable, freelance proofreading work. Claim your free trial today to try it out!