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Topic: Is columbia proofreaders a scam???
| Author | Message |
| Keith | Posted – 12/1/2007 11:17:15 AM | show profile | email poster I've recently seen an ad in the newspaper for legal proofreaders and this was the agency offering training. I've called and called and finally got throught and I want to schedule a class. I've been having problems finding work since I've graduated college a year ago, and the women on the phone said that I would be making $30 and hour, which sounds good! However, the price I have to pay for the course if VERY EXPENSIVE! and other legal proofreading courses, such as Mortiz legal proofing is much cheaper. So what I'm asking is if columbia proofreaders are scam artist? If not, then which course is better between the two in regards for learning the material and definatley finding work right after the course: Columbia proofreader or Mortiz legal proofreading. I want to here from those who have taken these courses in the past. |
| pob | Posted – 12/1/2007 8:53:48 PM | show profile Search the archives. You'll find some lively discussions. I have no experience with any of these organizations and generally think either you're good enough to be a proofreader without the courses, or you shouldn't be a proofreader at all. Try pounding the pavement a little more; someone will be willing to give you a shot, and $30/hour sounds about right. Good luck. |
| editordebit | Posted – 12/2/2007 1:59:01 PM | show profile There are plenty of scams around, and from what I've heard Columbia may well be one of them. However, I do think a decent course can teach you a huge amount. At the very least, get a good textbook and work through the examples. Peggy Smith's _Mark My Words_ is the classic. Amy Einsohn's _The Copyeditor's Handbook_ also includes some examples, and is a very good general resource. If it turns out you don't actually *like* proofreading, or it isn't nearly as easy as you thought, you won't be out much, and such books are generally pretty resellable (if you haven't written in them, naturally). If you haven't done any proofreading before, and have no experience in law, legal proofreading is not the place to start. It's DULL, and there are tons of citations (which make even most detail-oriented types glaze). I am not sure that there is such a thing as a course with a guaranteed job at the end of it, but coursework from a reputable institution certainly makes a big difference on your resume, and the instructors may well be helpful in getting you work. I did a full year certificate course in editing, and don't regret the money at all: it was *well* worth it. There are temporary agencies who handle proofreaders, too, but you'll need some experience to get anywhere with them. |
| OnTheRun | Posted – 12/2/2007 3:29:00 PM | show profile If Columbia's website is any indication, don't go near the place. At least not until they learn how to use a dash correctly. |
| Marie | Posted – 12/2/2007 5:10:04 PM | show profile Legal proofreading is different from other types of proofreading, and I think you do need some training or study, not that you can't get the training on your own from books. But look for books that are specifically about LEGAL proofreading. It is different and quirky, and there are things specific to it. And I think $30 an hour is overestimating, if you're going through an agency. But maybe things have changed in the last decade, when I last explored this. So look for books specifically on legal proofreading, and if you're in New York, look for some adult ed courses at, for example, NYU's Continuing Ed division, at the New School, Baruch College. These will be legitimate courses, which will probably feature guests who can explain the ropes in getting legal proofreading employment. I think I'd stay away from commercial schools like Columbia Proofreaders. And a good course might teach you how to get work on your own, without going through an agency, which means more money for you. |
