This blog is part of a series on transcription. If you haven’t read the other blogs in this series, make sure to check out the summary page for a listing of all transcription blogs.
We finished up the question and answer with Laura earlier today, which means now we’re onto a “typical” working day for Laura. Check out what she has to say below:
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I usually wake up around 7:00, make a cup of tea, read my emails, and start working by 7:30. The nice thing about not having a set schedule, though, is that if I want to sleep in, I can. If I want to work in the middle of the night, I can do that too. I woke up at 4:00 a.m. one day not too long ago and decided I might as well work. I was done working by 10:00 that morning and had the rest of the day to myself. Of course, I had to take a short nap in the afternoon!
I have no problem taking breaks throughout the day. I am not the type of person who can sit in my chair for any long length of time. I am constantly jumping up and doing something. Usually it’s only for a few minutes, but I truly don’t think I sit for longer than 30 minutes at a time before I get up to do something. I do have the goal of trying to get at least half of my work done by 11:00 every morning with breaks in between. I will then take a couple of hours off to work out, clean the house, run errands, and eat lunch. I’ll finish the second half of my day starting at around 1:00 p.m.
I work every weekend because we’re required to work at least one weekend day, so I work on Sundays. Saturdays are too busy around my house. [Note from Hava: This is very common. Many, many MT companies require that all MTs work one weekend day, and let the MT choose between Saturday or Sunday. Almost every major MT company out there has this policy. Just wanted to forewarn anyone who loves their weekends that they may have to give up at least part of it.]
If things are really hopping at work, they’ll send an email out letting us know that there’s a backlog and asking us to work extra if we can. It has never been mandatory, but I think most people will put in some extra time. Sometimes they’ll offer a bonus.
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Please see Part Two for the continuation!