[February 2017 edit: be sure to check out this post from a 69-year-old paralegal turned proofreader and this post from a 63-year-old Air Force veteran who started his own proofreading business. Links will open in a new window/tab!]
“Am I too old to make money proofreading?”
We get this question quite often, actually — someone writes in and they’re worried no one will hire them because they’re too old.
The last time someone wrote in with this question, they asked if I could offer them any reassurance from students in their age group who are taking and have completed the course.
OF COURSE I CAN!
I polled our student group on Facebook and asked them to chime in on the role their age played in their decision to enroll in Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice™.
We got an overwhelming response from the community!
Check out these amazing responses from real students:
(We did have some responses from those outside of the prospective student’s age group, but these responses were also welcomed in my poll!)
You can do it!
“Age really doesn’t matter as far as I have found. I’ve never had a CR ask my age (I’m 23, by the way!) And I really believe I’m doing very well after the course: I made $1,300 in my first month. Plus, the PA group is the most helpful, supportive group. They are truly there to help you succeed! You can do it!”
The only things that matter are doing a great job and having a good attitude.
“All the CRs I work with mentioned that they had formerly worked with other proofreaders and that some issue had arisen that caused them to be unhappy with those other proofreaders, which is why they came to me. Fortunately, they were happy with my work. So the only things that matter are doing a great job and having a good attitude.”
If you have a knack for this sort of thing, there is no reason in the world that you can’t do this.
“I’m 55, still working a full-time day job, I loved the course, and I am excited for a future of not having to rely on SS exclusively when I retire. If you have a knack for this sort of thing, there is no reason in the world that you can’t do this. No one so far has asked my age. I got my first job last week, and I have two more jobs in process right now. Personally, I think a little “seasoning” is an advantage for working with words, because experience with “old sayings” and other adages is a plus. You can do it!”
Ilearn tons along the way.
“I’ll be 49 next month, and I retired from dental hygiene due to some severe back problems. When I left my profession in 2002 to be at home with my step kids, I assumed I’d go back, but it wasn’t in the cards. I now have a six-year-old and the step kids are grown. It took me a LONG time to find something I could do as a SAHM with back problems. I started the course the beginning of April, but life turned upside down and inside out and I decided the issues at hand needed my full attention. I’ve started over twice, but the life issues just got in the way so I decided to wait until a few things were off my plate before attacking it again. It needs more concentration than I can give it right now. I will get there!! In the meantime, I continue to watch this group and learn tons along the way. Best of luck to you; you CAN do it.”
Being older and having an empty nest is actually an advantage in completing the course.
“I am 52 and work a full-time job. Since my kids are grown, I am able to concentrate on studying at night. I am doing this in preparation for the day the attorney I’ve worked for 33 years comes in and says he’s officially retiring. I really don’t want to have to find another job. So, that being said, I believe being older and having an empty nest is actually an advantage in completing the course.”
I feel that my age doesn’t matter at all.
“I am 62 and going to begin collecting SS in December. I currently have three reporters that I work with. This is perfect for me at the moment because I also watch my grandchildren. I feel that when I’m ready and have a little more time, I will be able to pick up more work. I am very happy that I enrolled in this class. The best thing about this class is that you can work at your own pace. I feel that my age doesn’t matter at all.”
I believe there are enough professionals in the over-50 club that it should not be a concern.
“I also think something to be noted is that CRs that work for years want to scale back their professional time commitment and go into retirement proofreading. They don’t want to have to leave home but want to stay involved. I think there are many professionals that are 50 and older providing proofreading services. Some were already in the field, some joining anew. I believe there are enough professionals in the over 50 club that it should not be a concern.”
I know what I am capable of doing and I will not let my age hold me back!
“I am 57, and I worried about this as well, and then I thought about it and I do not believe that age should matter at all! I know what I am capable of doing and I will not let my age hold me back! I have worked all my life and I am looking forward to this new venture.”
I don’t think age matters at all, it is the quality of your work.
“I am 64 and collecting SS, and the reason I enrolled in the course was to find something I can do at home to supplement my SS. I am still in the training stage, because one of my sons had some health issues that I had to help him address but I am progressing through the course slowly but not giving up. I don’t think age matters at all, it is the quality of your work. Best of luck to you.”
I am loving PA so far!
“I just turned 45, and I’m in Module 5. Trying to help my oldest daughter pay for college (she’s a junior) so she will be able to graduate debt-free. Looking forward to helping with the finances while still being available at home to help my husband (a pastor) with projects and to help my other children with homeschool (ages 13 and 17). I am loving PA so far!”
You’re not sailing the seas alone thanks to this supportive community!
“I’ll be 57 in a few weeks and I’m currently on PT 10. I signed up for the course for two reasons, okay, maybe three. They all have to do with the ability to be independent, generate income, and use my existing skill sets. Reasons: 1. Thanks to our governor & massive budget cuts to the university system I work in, the Center I work for has been eliminated, and thus, my job too. Unemployment looming. 2. While I’m looking for FT job opportunities, I’m also thinking about starting a consulting biz in one of my areas of expertise. Multiple balls in the air, hoping for multiple income streams. 3. I’ve always liked proofing and have a background in corporate communications I hope to use as a marketing point. It’s an adventure, but you’re not sailing the seas alone thanks to this supportive community!”
The experience that comes with age only helps!
“I’m 55 and disabled. I used to teach (high school and post-secondary) but now only do private tutoring on a very part-time basis. I’ve been looking for something I can do reclining in my bed which utilizes my skills, and this really fit the bill! Because I taught, I don’t qualify for SS disability, so I need something that will provide me with a decent income, and I am really pleased to have found this course. I’m still working through the PTs. I’d say that if you have a decent knowledge of grammar and some computer skills, you can do it. I think it’s a very nice fit for someone with physical limitations, and the experience that comes with age only helps!”
