At Transcribe Anywhere, we love sharing the stories of our graduates — the people who turn new skills into new beginnings. Today, we’re proud to feature Edward J. (EJ) Williamson, a former educator who discovered transcription as his second career. EJ’s story is told entirely in his own words — a testament to how lifelong learning and persistence can lead to independence and fulfillment.

Transcribing My Story: Lessons from the Classroom

 By Edward J. (EJ) Williamson

I count my blessings each and every day for embarking on my second career. Since November of 2020, in the midst of a tumultuous pandemic, I officially launched my home-based transcription business. Along the way, I picked up training as a legal scopist, further cementing my place in the thriving field of general and legal transcription. I haven’t regretted one single moment of this fulfilling journey and now am enjoying the fruits of my labors — most pleasant labors, to be sure. It is my sincerest hope that others will be inspired to take that step towards having a career that provides fulfillment, independence, the potential for growth, and the pride of creating something that is uniquely your own. We must all work; we must all earn a living. Why not endeavor to do so doing work you are passionate about?

I have been on this blue-green rock humanity calls home for almost 65 years. My genesis as a career man began in the field of education. After earning my bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, with a minor in English, along with graduate work in curriculum and instruction, I entered the full-time working world as an elementary school teacher. For 35 years I taught fourth and fifth graders, and I loved almost every minute mentoring and molding the education of hundreds of young students. Needless to say, I enjoyed my teaching career immensely. I retired in June of 2018 due to my wife’s health — she battles MS — and also due to the weariness of the increasing politics inherent in the field of education. I continued to substitute a day or two per week, but in March of 2020 the pandemic caused in-person classroom instruction to come to a screeching halt.

Owing to the fact that in 2020 I was 59 years old, I was not ready to hang my hat on the hat tree. I enjoyed working and having a purpose — and I liked to be able to continue to eat and have a place to continue to hang my hat, without burning through my modest portfolio before I arrived at that magical age of 67. So, I decided to search for a new career, one where I could build a business that I could enjoy and thrive from the comfort and convenience of home and hearth. I had long yearned to work for myself, to be my own boss, set my own hours, and where I could work on my own terms. After looking into online personal assistant positions, bookkeeping, and various other at-home options, I drew upon my experience and set out to search for a field that dealt more with the written word. I came across an article that featured transcription and how to become successful as a transcriptionist. The article highlighted Transcribe Anywhere. After watching the free workshop, I was completely sold and convinced that this was the business for me.

So, in March of 2020 I began my journey into the world of transcription. Transcribe Anywhere was everything advertised and more. From the pedagogically sound content instruction, the layered teaching approach, and the practical application lessons, I progressed through the General Transcription: Theory and Practice curriculum and added the Legal Transcription course — in hindsight I should have opted for the combination course, which is a route I highly recommend for its value. During the course, I set up my website so that I could hit the ground running when I graduated, which occurred in mid-November of 2020.

Who thought one could feel such a sense of euphoria at the age of 60, but feel it I did, along with a new vision for my future as a self-employed, TA-trained transcriptionist. I quickly landed transcription positions with two transcription firms and began my new journey into the world of transcription. It was interesting work, too. I landed a position with a firm that specialized in the railroad industry where I transcribed employment-related hearings. The other firm I hooked on to was in law enforcement where I transcribed internal affairs investigations. After three months, I landed my first private client, a podcaster who delved into educational issues, which was something that I related to.

In 2023, Transcribe Anywhere collaborated with The Court Reporting Academy, which offered all TA students and graduates the opportunity to obtain digital scopist training. Of course, I was thrilled with this opportunity, and I found an organization that was like-minded with TA and that was aligned with our values and vision. After finishing the digital scopist course, I landed two clients and added legal scoping to my transcription business, which I had named and registered as EJWillTranscribeIt, integrating my name with my industry.

Today, I serve only private transcription and scoping clients. While I certainly am not rolling in riches and living on Easy Street, I do make a comfortable income where I work on my own terms, enjoy a very short commute — bedroom to kitchen to my home office, whereupon I begin my day. Of course, I may reschedule myself in order for my wife and me to enjoy playing Mahj Jongg with friends, but hey, why not? I set my schedule and work on my own terms. Sometimes I may decide to work late at night; other times I might opt for early morning. I serve my clients well and take pride in my work. I do all of this, however, on my terms. I am both boss and employee. What more can one ask for?

Now, it is time for you to decide. Is transcription for you? Don’t wait; don’t hesitate. Yes, you can perform your due diligence — and you should — but it just may be your time to fly and to achieve your dream of independence. Well, thank you for coming along for the ride. It is time now to step off and begin your own journey.

Start Your Own Journey

EJ’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to learn something new — or to build a business that fits your life. If you’re ready to explore a flexible, work-from-anywhere career, start where EJ did.

Watch our free transcription training workshop today and discover what’s possible:

👉 Transcribe Anywhere Free Workshop