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

Question for the 50-ish and up Leaving MT - Old, Tired, Fed Up

Posted: Apr 06, 2010

I'm curious. To those of you who are choosing not to go back to school for other training--my reason is I only have 7 years until retirement--and want to get the heck out of MT, what have you decided to do instead? Any and all ideas welcome, unless it involves adding and subtracting or building bridges or tunnels.

Wow - you read my mind! I had the same question - this morning. (sm)

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Also, after sending resumes to local in-house MT jobs that came along in my area, and not getting a response or a job offer, (and yet some of their ads are still running), my question is, has anyone over 50 been suspicious that it is their AGE that is playing a role in all the non-job-offers? I'm 60, and have been looking for work both in and out of MT. I'm sure that most employers think I'll only work 5 more years and then retire, but that's just not going to ever happen. I can't afford to retire, ever.

The non-MT ads I read all seem to want BA degrees at the very least, even for secretaries. They also want skills up the wazoo (bilingual/trilingual, able to balance the budget, turn out a slick brochure with their artistic skills, able to manage people, write grants, able to put on parties and meetings, give a physical exam, write a Pulitzer-prize-winning novel, build a rocketship, do brain surgery, etc. All while answering heavy phones and transcribing at the same time. For $10 an hour.)

age - mt

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maybe not your age that is hurting you, but your many years of experience.

I think MT companies don't want people with many years of experience. Why? Not sure. Maybe they don't want someone who knows they are worth more than what they currently want to pay...or maybe they don't want someone who was around when "times were good." Know what I mean? I'm not 50 yet, but getting close. I have been pondering these same questions myself lately.

Age - MT

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I don't think they care about age, but I do think that someone with a lot of experience is at a bit of a disadvantage to them in that we're not desperate for the job (I've had several offers), so they can't get away with paying us too little. Also, older MTs tend to be set in their ways and not wanting to "bend." I'm not like that, but there have been a lot of changes in the business in terms of style, what is allowed, what isn't, and it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

I remember when we were allowed to expand an abbreviation the first time it was said, with the abbreviation in parentheses. Then, they took the parentheses away. Then they took away the expanding the first time it was said. Then, clipped/slang words were allowed for this and that, labs and meds. (Never used lites/lytes, bili, lymphs, etc, always expanded those). Gradually just chipped away at the income, and now it's a disaster with ASR and horrible dictators on top of all that.

Not set in my ways - MT/trans

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I am definitely not set in my ways, especially at 64, because I have learned that you have to bend a lot and be willing to get in there and roll with the punches. If you have a stiff attitude and a know-it-all persona you will never do well, old or young. I knew that a long time ago, and was willing to do anything I could, and learn anything I could to get along in this business. I am all for any MT, old or young, to do well in this business, but it has been my experience that a lot of young newbies come in with a know-it-all attitude and a chip on their shoulder, especially when it comes to someone older teaching them. I have been a supervisor before and I treated everyone fairly and if someone was willing to show me that they wanted to learn and showed the initiative and drive to learn, then I rolled out the red carpet for them, so to speak. You never stop learning in this business, and I said in my note, you have to be willing to work hard. Our industry has definitely changed, and not for the better. As you get older, it does get harder, but I have not had any trouble learning something new.

Age, experience - MT/trans

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My age and experience has never been detrimental to me; in fact, it has even helped me because I am trained in all fields of transcription, and I have been told in every job I have held as an MT that this is a good thing, and they do want MTs with a broad field of knowledge, and oftentimes MTs are overlooked or not given entry level positions because they are not diversified. I went back to school at age 52 to further my education because I wanted more knowledge and to get my business degree, hoping to do something different, and I encourage anyone in that age group to go ahead and seek an education, if you want to change careers, because it is never too late. My niece told me that the government is paying a high salary to do a job similar to medical editing, and you would fall over if I told you just how much they are paying someone with experience and knowledge to do that type of work. However, I am now 64, and she said these types of jobs were now being posted..they were not around 10 years ago. So, there are good paying jobs out there for women in their 50s..go for it!!

What is the job title? - MTPockets

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That's great to know and I would like to apply for one of those positions. Do you know what they are called? Or could you ask your niece?

Thanks for this lead - very encouraging!

Government positions - MDI/trans

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My niece sends me updates quite often, and she sent me another one about 2 weeks ago. I will look for it, and if you contact me at my e-mail address, I will forward it to you.

Thank you MDI/trans - MTPockets

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I sent you an e-mail. Thanks!

Jobs and degrees - Long-Time MT-NY

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I'm 50 and just returned to college. The reason...well there are a couple. My job where I worked for 6 years was always running out of work in the last year and went to mostly VR, and looking for a job anywhere in my area required a degree, even for, as you said, a secretary at the local hospital. Plus my husband works at Kodak and they are phasing out spouse health insurance after retirement over the next 10 years (just in time for dh to retire) so I felt I had no choice but to go back to school and get a degree. As for age, I've spoken to 2 college professors who said that age will actually work in our favor as long as we have a high GPA as the kids don't put enough effort into their degrees and so don't graduate with high GPAs (some do, most don't)

50-something - Anonymous

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I have about 7-10 years before I can retire. If I can stay as an MT editor or find other MT work at my current place I will do that. I want to do something secretarial so I'm brushing up on my computer skills (Excel, Power Point, Access), all employers seem to want that, that comes as no surprise. I needed to upgrade my skills but didn't because I thought MT would last forever. I'm toying with coding school but still haven't decided about that. There don't seem to be a lot of legal jobs in my area although that has always interested me. I'm doing some career assessment programs through our local skills center. They help place people and will pay your salary for OTJ training, so there are some options out there. I've had job offers from the MTSOs but I need the benefits and don't know how to compare pay by the line to my current hourly salary. So far I have not found age to be an issue. I'm reconciled to the fact that I'll be making less money no matter where I land.

Not Bothering - MT

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I'm not bothering with any other MT companies. I'm done with MT. I'm on my second National company and this grass is not much greener than the other one. I felt I owed it a shot, though, after all the time and effort I put into it.

I went into this MT usiness because I didn't want to do secretarial work -BORING! I thought this MT would last until the day I retired. I knew ASR was down the pike, but never anticipated I'd be working for minimum wage doing it. My years of skill mean zippo now.

Well, so long MT world. The minute something comes up, I'm outta here but FAST.

I'm also not waiting for my maximum Social Security benefit--sheeesh, that pot is dry. Grabbing it as soon as I am eligible, 7 years from now.

why do you disclose your age in your resume? - age?

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You don't have to do that. What's important are your skills, not your age.

If they ask for your age or birthday, enter "over 21."

You can disclose your age later after being hired. Then they cannot say "no" since you qualified already and it would be open age discrimination.

Age - Anonymous

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On the applications they usually want to know where you attended school, what dates, year graduated, etc., they can probably tell from that how old you are, the year of your high school graduation would be a dead give away. Also, your employment history usually includes dates, that would be another indication of your age.

That is my take on the age giveaway as well - RLee

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All they need to do is calculate and read carefully the resume and they can get an idea of your age. I have never put my actual birthdate on my resume and I am 52.

50-ish - MT Bottle

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I'm kind of in the same boat, I'll be 58 this year. I retrained 20 years ago to learn MT when I lost my job back then. At this point I just don't want to go through the learning/training process again. After leaving MQ, I found an IC position that I can get by with for the next 4 1/2 to 5 years.

I'm just hoping the job holds out as long as I need it. I really enjoy MTing and don't want to give it up. I guess I'll wait till the last nail is in the coffin.

Law offices who specialize in legal malpractice need - typists.

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xx

I'll be 55 next week... - Sims

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I decided to go back to the local 4 year university two years ago to try and complete my degree in business, but after acquiring 150+ hours over the years, I've decided Statistics and Finance are not for me. I would change my major but at this point I'd basically be starting over, and I already have $14K in student loans.

I recently applied at the local main grocery chain in south Texas for a loss prevention position. I sat in the waiting room for my appointment along with two young men in their 20's. The interviewer came out and, as he was looking at the two young guys but not at me, asked "who is my 3:30?". I raised my hand but he did not acknowledge me and again asked his question while looking at the two young guys. I then spoke up. He interviewed me but I got the distinct impression it was as a courtesy only. I KNOW we cannot be discriminated because of age but this is difficult to prove. I guess I'll just keep looking locally to find something. I can claim my husband's social security when I turn 60 (he is deceased) but that still gives me five years to have to survive and I have two kids in college. Sorry - long ramble!

Loss Prevention - MT

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What is loss prevention exactly?

I am 56... taking yoga teacher training... - Yogi bear

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Don't expect this to be enough to make a living, but a supplement that I will actually enjoy, plus yoga helps me cope with all the crap an MT has to put up with these days. When I get my retirement will probably find some IC MT work just to keep me from getting bored, if there is anything left of this occupation when I retire!

I believe loss prevention is store security. Monitoring - video cameras, walking around like a shopper, etc.

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I had a friend that started out doing that, and finally became a police officer. Only thing is, she was in her 20's when she did it. Now, at age 58, she's retired.

Thanks - Old, Tired, Fed Up

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Thanks for all the responses. Just doesn't seem worth it to spend a lot of money training for something else--could be already retired by the time I get my investment back. Which is sad---had my MT schooling investment back in no time, back when of course.

Anyway, keep the responses coming if you want. I'm open to all sorts of stuff.

I had applied at the Target Optical here and once I took their - Looking to leave MT forever

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"test" I knew it was over for me. They asked questions about how I did in school, do friends ask me for advice on they way they're dressed, and other questions that made it clear they were looking for someone much younger than my 55. The answers were mainly yes and no. If they had a column for "who cares" I could have answered most of their questions much better.

"who cares?" Lol, you are funny! - ha

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nm

What does the question about giving friends advice on - how they dress have to do with the job??? nm

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X

They showed me the back room where there is a - Looking to Leave

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bulletin board that has their goals of how much to sell from Corporate for the week and every day is written out along with Corporate's expectations. They want to know if you have a fashion sense was my thought with the fashion questions. I don't know why. Glasses all pretty much look the same these days, rectangular plastic ones. Wore them 40 years ago and I think they are ugly though I liked them then.

So, when an employee tells you from one of those places (and the company that runs Target Optical also runs Sears, LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut and I think Pearle Vision), they may be just trying to make a sale to meet a quota.

I'm 35 and trying to get out - wildcat

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Last year I started looking over my options. I put my last one off to grade school last year and really began to think about my career. I basically decided to either go back to school (maybe teaching) or look at state jobs. In my state, even the clerks make pretty decent pay. The benefits are the real asset. I applied for and took several tests and ended up landing a job in medical records in a state facility a few months ago. I'm still MTing part-time but I'm planning to give that up all together when the kids are out for summer.

As for going back to school, the cost just didn't outweigh the salary I would end up with. In 4 years at a state job, I'll be making close to what I would be starting out at $$$ as a teacher, plus I'd still have student loans to pay back. That's just not practical for me.

Look at my earlier post - MT/trans

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Look at my post, and then look up government jobs. There are jobs doing medical editing for the government that pay quite a lot of money.

What I am doing - MT no more

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I am selling carnivorous plants that I grow, dog walking, and when the Walmart they are buidling up the road opens up I am going to apply for a job there. I have 5 years to retirement and am waiting for the Walmart job before I quit MT forever. My pay has gone down so much over the last few years I will be better off financially without it now. I did enjoy many happy years MTing, but not anymore with all the changes and being treated like nothing more than a typist with no skills.

Not 50 yet - TiredMT

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I'm 41 but I've been doing this since I was 21. I don't see this taking me into retirement so I'm exploring my options. I figure if I get out in the near year or 2, I can still do 20-25 years in another career and retire in my early 60s.

I'm not 50 yet either - tiredoftyping

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but came to the same conclusion. Retiring as an MT does not seem a possibility anymore, as at the age of 42, I still have 20+ years to go. I am back in school and start my nursing courses this summer. AFter the first year I can work as an LPN while I go for my RN and finally be able to earn a decent living again. I have one in college and a freshman in HS and I would really like to be financially able to help them as they get started in life as it is going to be rough for their generation.

20 years is a long time - TiredMT

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My baby girl is 14 today. My original goal was to stay at home until she was old enough to drive but clearly plans change. My oldest is 21 and is struggling to find work in this economy, so I currently work 2 jobs, covering her car payment and medical insurance and other essentials. I'm not sure I'll make my 2 year mark. I'll be broke and crazy by then. I just need to get the ball rolling in the right direction...it has currently rolled into a corner with MTing. Good luck to you!

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