Transcription Schools

General transcription encompasses a wide range of transcription services. It can include focus groups, podcasts, meetings, presentations, investigations, interviews, sermons and anything else that can be recorded. The wide range of possibilities delivers a large demand for services. Due to the sporadic nature of the demand from any one source, many companies do not maintain a full-time staff of transcriptionists or secretaries and most outsourced general transcription services are done by a telecommuting transcriptionist working as a contractor.

What do I need to know to be a general transcriptionist?

As with all transcription careers, general transcription requires excellent English skills – grammar, punctuation and spelling – as well as proficient use of the computer and word processing programs. For contractors outsourcing this work, general transcription is frequently paid on a piecework basis; therefore, typing skills are essential.

Technical ability is also important. Most jobs are transferred electronically, over the internet. A general transcriptionist must have a simple method for sending and receiving files. If you are working as an independent contractor offering services, it will be necessary to know what methods are available for file transfers over the internet. You must be able to communicate effectively with clients how to utilize the file transfer system.

How much can I make?

There are many factors involved in what a general transcriptionist can make, including audio quality, what type of recording it is, how many people will be speaking (such as focus groups), client requirements and the ability to obtain work at a fairly steady rate.

There are general transcription outsource companies that may contract with independent transcriptionists or may hire them at telecommuting employees. This work is almost always piecework, as well.

If the project is priced right and typing speed is excellent, you can earn up to $30 per hour when you work. However, you should not expect to have a steady volume of work and can expect to earn approximately $25,000 to $30,000 per year if you are fast and can obtain a sufficient volume of work.

General transcription requires flexibility and excellent basic skills but there are no formal education or training programs available for becoming a general transcriptionist.

Our goal is to provide information about the different kinds of transcription, the skills required, the career paths for each, what you can expect to earn and how to find the best education to prepare you for careers in transcription.

We will be featuring various schools and programs and allowing them to provide in-depth information.

Why are you here?

Typically, people seeking transcription careers are women looking for work they can do at home. Many are new mothers looking for income that will allow them to contribute to the family finances while giving them flexibility to care for the needs of their family. Others are middle-age women looking for a second career that utilizes skills they already have. Because many transcription jobs are performed in a home office environment, there is a high degree of interest in it.

Medical transcription: This is probably the #1 career interest people have when they are seeking transcription jobs. Although it is not an easy career path, it can be rewarding. Industry salary surveys report that on average, medical transcriptionists make $27,000 a year; however, the salary survey doesn’t take into account the work situation: part time, full time, overtime, independent contractor, or employee. In any medical transcription discussion forum, you will find an ongoing discussion about wages, with some transcriptionists reporting income in the $50,000/year range, $19/hour range, down to $15,000/year and $10/hour. If this is a career you wish to pursue, selecting the right school will be extremely important in terms of being able to get a job after you’ve completed the program, and your earning ability.

Legal transcription: There are many attorneys who practice in office suites that don”t provide secretarial or transcription support. In larger practices, there may be overflow that is sent out to a transcriptionist or transcription service. Legal transcription jobs can be found either in the office, but there are also many opportunities to work at home as an outsourced transcriptionist or service. Legal documents and language are very specialized; like medical transcription, getting the right education is key to obtaining future work.

General transcription: General transcription is less specialized than legal or medical. Typically, a good foundation in basic skills is sufficient.