A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Career Step - is a good school to attend for MT training - peacefulsoles

Posted: Jan 15, 2011

I would like to know if anyone thinks Career Step is a good school to attend for MT training. Andrews and MTEC are quite a bit more expensive and I don't think I can afford them. I can't really afford Career Step. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

The only thing I can tell you is........... - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
My Daughter-in-law took the Career Step course and is doing wonderful. I think it's a good course.

Schools - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Personally, before you decide, I would ask them if they have instructors to ask questions of. Last time I heard, they did not, and I frankly chose to go to a school that has instructors who will work with you so you are totally prepared for the arduous haul...which brings me to my next point.

Have you thought long and hard about doing this? Even in the great days, it wasn't easy, but at least there was money to be made.

If you've already decided you are going to do this no matter what anyone says, then choose your school very, very carefully. Some companies WILL test people from Career Step, so you are probably okay at least getting your foot in a door from one of the bigger national companies.

Good luck!

Career Step - happymt

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, Career Step is a great MT school. I graduated 2-1/2 years ago and have had no problems getting MT jobs. The day after graduating I was hired with Spheris. I have since moved on to being an IC for the flexibility, but the employers I have encountered have been very impressed with Career Step graduates and it is a plus to have it on my resume. Also, they have their own forum and fellow students and grads help each other out, along with Career Step staff. So, in my opinion Career Step is a great place to get your education.

Students Helping Students? - Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
How do people just learning MT "help" someone else just learning MT? Also, recent grad is still "green," even from a good school. I can see someone who has been doing MT (acute care, specifically) for a couple of years after graduating helping people, but I don't think anything can compare to having instructors to begin with.

I realize there are some happily employed Career Step people out there. I'm just throwing this out there for others to ponder when choosing a school.

Students Helping Students - happymt

[ In Reply To ..]
You can call Career Step Student Services if you need extra help or email them and they will help you if you are struggling. I guess it really depends on what kind of student you are. Some people like an instructor to talk them through things, but I preferred to just do the work on my own at my own pace. If I got frustrated about a certain section, I could talk about it with fellow students on the forum so that I didn't feel alone. I never felt the need to have an instructor because the course is very well laid out.

happy mt - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
Perhaps if they had real live instructors rather than relying on other students and answer keys, they would not reach the point where they are "struggling." Talking with fellow students on a forum may be a way to vent, but you need professional PEOPLE instructing you.

If you can't work independently and have to have - csgrad

[ In Reply To ..]
someone there all the time to hold your hand and coach you, MTing is not for you. You have to be able to figure things out and troubleshoot for yourself. You have to have a lot of discipline to push through a self-led course and even more to get through those first few months relying only on yourself in those first few months on the job. JMO!

csgrad - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
Sorry, I respectfully stand by my opinion: You cannot teach yourself what you do not know, and you cannot know what you do not know. Much better to have instructors!

Agree with Old Pro - fastfingers

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I would have to agree with Old Pro on this. School is not the place to "figure things out and troubleshoot for yourself." You're in school to receive the education needed to succeed in a career. I don't know of any other type of school or university that "teaches" without instructors. Why should an MT course be any different?

Fastfingers - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
Can you imagine learning to be a neurosurgeon by a "teach yourself, paint by the numbers" method? An engineer? A hairstylist? Enough said.

peacefulsoles - Old Pro

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You cannot NOT afford them. Do you really want to go to a school where you grade yourself with an answer key (CareerStep)or do you want a school with real, live instructors? (Andrews and M-TEC.) Stop and consider what an investment this will be. Have you spoken to M-TEC and Andrews about loans, student assistance, etc? I am not and have never been associated with any school. I just think why not give yourself the best chance you can?

Second that! - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
I agree with giving yourself the best chance you can.

Try to avoid the impulse to consider the first-quoted cost as the total cost. Some schools tell you a low figure without mentioning what isn't included, while others tell you the total cost that includes everything.

Please speak with the schools you think are too expensive. Maybe there is a reason they cost more, like they use expensive materials and offer unlimited instructor support and coach toward a high success rate. And maybe they have a very sensible payment plan that won't saddle you with debt.

Second that! - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
I have never yet found an Andrews or M-TEC grad who could not get and keep a job.

Second that too! - fastfingers

[ In Reply To ..]
To elaborate on the above poster's comments...I have never seen an Andrews or M-TEC grad (newbies) at my place of employment struggle like the CS newbie grads do. You can definitely tell which ones are better prepared right off the bat.

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