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Should I be worrying so much or do I need to work harder? Re: Practicum - CharlieMT

Posted: Aug 11, 2012

I am so glad I found a place to ask this question and hopefully get some feedback from experienced MTs. Any input or advice is welcome and appreciated.

I finally commenced my practicum on Wednesday and I have completed 5 transcriptions so far (I work p/t so have been fitting them in around those hours). The average score I have been getting back has been in the low 90's percentage-wise. Is this something to be concerned about? I know the industry standard is 98% and I do tend to be an overachiever so I am not sure if I am being too hard on myself or not. I know this is a "learning time" for sure. I don't expect to be perfect by any means. I am just interested to know what others' experiences have been. The lady who has been marking my work is always very thorough and complimentary on my work but she has never offered a practicum before so perhaps her expectations of me are lower? Or higher? Not sure!

Please tell me about your practicum/newbie experiences. I would love to know where I sit.

Thanks so much!

CharlieMT

First of all - ancient MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I presume you are still in school. Secondly, what school are you attending? Many employers will not even look at certain schools. Thirdly, with scores in the low 90s, yes, you DO have things to worry about. If you were to test for a national that would hire a newbie, there is no way that you would even pass the exam. I don't mean to come across as harsh, but I have been an MT for 32 years and it NEVER ceases to amaze me now why people even want to get into this profession. You may have a "mentor," but to me, a mentor is just that. They should be available to offer feedback, whether positive or negative.

What were your reasons for wanting to become an MT? If it was just the "conveience of working from home because I have small children," wrong idea. If you truly love medicine, language, etc., then it might be a field to pursue. The days of making "mega bucks" in this profession are LONG gone. When I started working from home in 1987, I was making 5 cents a line, workng from casette tapes. Look at what the MTSOs are offering now -- top wages are 8 cents a line. Branching out on your own is nearly impossible with what is going on in the industry today and as someone right out of school, you will more than likely not be able to obtain your own client base. If you are lucky enough to do so, as a new MT, then be prepared for a lot of heartaches and tears, because you will have no one to be able to "help lend an ear," when you are stuck with a difficult dictator. Again, I am not trying to be harsh, but realistic.

Reply to should I be worrying - trina

[ In Reply To ..]
Wow..Ancient's reply hit the nail directly on the head! I too have been in this field for over 22 years and wonder WHY or HOW they can still be offering courses!! REALLY? We are all losing jobs to offshore,VR, etc.,and they still are teaching classes? They are just trying to make a buck on Unsuspecting people who truly believe that they can make $40,000 and up working a home doing this. Good luck with that. I got my experience in a hospital setting with others around me helping. I quickly figured out that there is NO WAY any NEWBIE sitting at home would be pulling in the $$ these people promised you. I've taken such a cut in pay (more than half of what I made in the hospital who went to VR) and send out 3-4 resumes a day without one response. If you want something to Keep you busy at home to make some EXTRA pocket change,then go for it but if you're looking for something to LIVE ON, I suggest you keep searching because this will NOT BE IT.

There are a couple of things that concern me about what you wrote - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Since you asked for advice, I'll offer mine, for what it's worth. You mentioned that you have done "5 transcriptions" so far in your practicum. The first thing to be aware of is what you are doing. You aren't doing transcriptions. You are transcribing medical reports. It would be more appropriate to say, "I have transcribed 5 reports so far." The fact that no instructor has taught you that is worrisome. Just make sure you are learning from a school that has a reputation for producing successful graduates. That will take care of the rest of the questions you mentioned. Good luck with your studies!

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