Transcription Was the Doorway Back Into the Workforce for This Stay-at-Home Mom

Being a stay-at-home mom is a privilege and full of both hard work and immense rewards.

But once her kids were in school, Araceli was looking for something more. Her main priority was being home when her kids needed her, but she also wanted to reenter the workforce.

She wanted a job that would challenge her, tap into her interests, and allow her to grow but maintain the flexibility she had built as a stay-at-home mom.

This is how she did it.

Can you tell us a little about your background? What did your life look like before Transcribe Anywhere?

I was a stay-at-home-mom for eight years. As my youngest was about to start school, I began contemplating my next step in life. I knew I wanted to reenter the workforce, but I was looking for something that would give me the freedom to continue to be a mom. It was very important for me to find something that still allowed me to be home for my kids after school.

What made you decide to learn transcription?

I've always loved reading, had a natural knack for words, and enjoyed all office-type work. The idea of sitting at a desk and typing away all day was very idyllic to me. My mother was a paralegal, and she mentioned transcription to me. After some research, transcription seemed to be exactly what I needed and what I wanted. I found Transcribe Anywhere and never looked back.

What have been the most valuable things you learned during the course?

I had two really big takeaways from the course.

The first one is that I learned what we cannot do while transcribing. I, like many other transcriptionists, often feel the need to correct grammar. But I learned that our clients want their words, not what we believe their words should be.

The second big takeaway is much more practical. I learned the different styles and templates used in transcription. This kind of knowledge is what separates the beginners from the trained, in my opinion. When a client requests a specific type of document, I know that I will be able to meet, and usually surpass, their expectations thanks to the bank of knowledge I obtained through the course.

How long did it take you to find your first job? Do you subcontract or have your own clients?

I found work as a subcontractor two weeks after I successfully completed the course. And two more weeks after that, I signed my first client. Today, I still do both. I have a couple of great clients that provide me with steady work while still working daily as a subcontractor.

What advice would you give anyone thinking about becoming a transcriptionist?

My best advice for anyone considering this profession is to be open to being taught. Transcription is a completely different skill set than typing or writing. There will be skills you have that are going to have to be tweaked to accommodate this very specific work. Be open to it.

What do you think it takes to be a GOOD transcriptionist? How about a GREAT one?

A good transcriptionist is quick and efficient. A great transcriptionist is detail-oriented and methodical.

What's your favorite thing about being a transcriptionist? What about your least favorite?

My favorite thing about being a transcriptionist is the typing. It is still fun for me to simply type. My least favorite part is the proofreading. We strive for perfection every time, and that can be very time consuming.

What does a typical day look like for you? How do you organize your time?

My days depend on my children. My kids are currently attending in-person school, so they're not at home. So on school days, I begin work at about 8 a.m. and work until 2 p.m. By 2:30 p.m, my day belongs to my family. I might work in the evening if I have a deadline coming up. But by that time, my husband is home and can be with the kids.

Weekends and holidays are a different story. I try not to take on work on days that I know my kids will be home and my husband will be at work. I can't give 100 percent to two things at once.

What is the greatest strength that YOU personally bring to your transcription career?

I am a perfectionist. I believe that helps me ensure that I always deliver the best possible results to my clients. They are requesting near perfection, and I aim to achieve that every time.

What keeps you awake at night?

Deadlines! I've never turned in work late, but I hate delivering a file on its due date. My goal is always to deliver a file before its deadline.

What success moment are you most proud of so far? What is the next goal you are excited to work toward?

When I started this course, I simply wanted to type. I had no desire to start a business. I was happy with the idea of working as an independent contractor. But once I graduated, I thought, Why stop here?

Thanks to all the materials provided in the course, I knew the steps to take to start a business and find my own clients. So I did. I started doing business as Cristal Clear Transcription, found some clients, and am officially my own boss. Today, I am happy with my small business, but I do hope to one day grow enough to hire some help. That future excites me.

Conclusion

Araceli is smashing her goals. Not only did she reenter the workforce, but she is not setting limitations for how far she or her business can go. Thank you, Araceli, for sharing your story with us and inspiring the Transcribe Anywhere students past, present, and future.

Are you interested in a rewarding, flexible work-from-home job with great pay? Check out the free mini-course and get started on your very own journey today.