The Background
Growing up, I never quite figured out what I wanted to be. One moment, I thought I’d be a scientist, mainly because I excelled in Physical Science during junior high. But that didn’t stick. When I reached grade 11, I veered in a completely different direction, choosing commerce subjects like accounting, business studies, and economics—subjects I actually hated. I only picked them because a friend told me Physical Science was tougher in grade 11. As a teenager, my friends’ opinions were, apparently, way more important than my own intuitions.
After high school in 2010, My application to college to become a high school Business Studies teacher somehow got mixed up in some complicated process, so I wound up taking a gap year. At the beginning of 2011, I decided to improve my English grade, which I had barely passed (got an “E” symbol”). I enrolled at NAMCOL (a state-owned educational institution in Namibia that provides learning opportunities for adults and out-of-school youth) to retake the exam. Unfortunately, my grade didn’t improve at all. To find another path, A cousin of mine helped me apply for a Business Administration degree course at the International University of Management (IUM) in 2012, since it only required an “E” in English.
While at IUM, I continued to work on my English through NAMCOL. Finally, I achieved a “C” at the beginning of 2013—a personal triumph! But by then, I had accumulated a debt of around N$ 11,000 from my first year at IUM, which I couldn’t pay off, leading to my dismissal from the university.
Deciding What to Study
In June 2014, I decided to find a job (after I was done moping around and feeling sorry for myself) to pay off my IUM debt. I landed a waitressing/kitchen assistant job at a cafe local mall. Unfortunately, the salary was too low to make a dent in my debt. By December of the same year, I quit my job and moved from Ongwediva (my hometown-ish) to Windhoek (the capital city of Namibia) to stay with my brothers (I have two elder brothers).
One of my brothers, who we’ll call Mr V, helped me apply to the University of Namibia (UNAM) and secure a student loan. Mr V (who I take for granted many times than I would like to admit) played a significant role in my journey to becoming an editor. When I was unsure about what to study, which was a huge embarrassment for me (I was already 24 years old at the time yet clueless about the kind of future I wanted), he gave me advice I’ll never forget: “Just select the subjects you like the most.” This advice has guided many of my career decisions. I chose English Studies, Visual Arts, Music, and Spanish. Eventually, I dropped Visual Arts and Spanish, double majoring in English Studies and Music.
How I Fell for Editing
My first taste of proofreading came when I volunteered with UNAM’s Disability Unit, which supports students with special needs, including those who are blind or visually impaired. One day, I was tasked with proofreading a scanned document to be brailled for a blind student. I discovered a passion for finding and correcting mistakes. This experience ignited a flame for the career I would later pursue.
The First Job after College, First Client and Beyond
After graduating in 2020, I spent months applying for any office vacancy job I could find. Frustrated by the tireless job-hunting endeavours that wielded no fruits, I decided to hunt for jobs that were easier for me to get: nannying and housekeeping jobs. I already had some housekeeping experience from my former job as a kitchen assistant/waitressing job, and a ton of experience babysitting a bunch of my nieces and nephews.
While doing this, I found a client who helped me get started with freelance proofreading and copyediting. My first client was a talented children’s story writer who, as a student, couldn’t afford to pay me. I was eager to gain experience so I helped him polish his writing for free. He has since become my most loyal client and closest friend.
Apart from editing children’s stories, I primarily work with academic texts for college/university students. However, my portfolio has expanded to include résumés, cover letters, and even a few business documents. Each type of document presents its own unique challenges and rewards, which kept my work dynamic and engaging.
In addition, I am also a book reviewer. What can I say, I love reading. And I found or rather stumbled upon) a way to turn my love of books into developing my writing skills. I started reviewing books in 2018, and I have since written for OnlineBookClub, Reader Views, and BookTrib. And occasionally w, when my editing business is slow, I go back to providing housekeeping services on a part-time basis
Professional Development
To enhance my skills and credibility, I pursued professional training. In July 2022, I completed “Proofreading and Copyediting 101” with UniversalClass, a course that provided essential techniques and industry standards. Eager to learn more, I enrolled in the College of Media and Publishing in December 2022. Five months later, I earned a level four diploma in editing and proofreading.
Reflecting on the Journey
Looking back, my journey into freelance proofreading and copyediting has been filled with learning, growth, and meaningful connections. From volunteering at the Disability Unit to working with diverse clients, the experiences, and skills I’ve gained have shaped me into the editor I am today.
I’m not saying I’ve reached the stage of perfection in my journey, on the contrary, I still have an exceptionally long way to go (I don’t think any of us can ever reach perfection). But I’m proud of the stage I have reached and look forward to the one ahead of me. However, none of my progress would have been possible without the help of my friends, family, and most of all God. So, I will always be grateful for the support and help I’ve received throughout my journey.
Advice for Aspiring Proofreaders and Copyeditors
1. Follow Your Interests: When choosing a career path, follow the advice my brother gave me: “Just choose the subjects you like the most.” Passion and interest in your work will drive you to succeed.
2. Seek Experience: Don’t be afraid to offer your services for free when you’re just starting out. You will gain experience and build relationships through those free services. The trust and rapport you build can lead to long-term, mutually beneficial connections.
3. Invest in Your Skills: Pursue professional training and certifications to enhance your skills and credibility. Continuous learning is key to staying relevant and effective in any field.
4. Stay Resilient: Setbacks and challenges are part of the journey. Use them as opportunities to learn and grow, and never lose sight of your goals.
As I continue to grow in this field, I remain committed to providing high-quality proofreading and copyediting services. I do this by investing more time in developing my skills. Each project I take on is not only an opportunity to help others communicate more effectively and achieve their goals, but it’s also a chance for me to learn and grow.
Thanks for joining me on this journey! Please feel free to reach out if you need proofreading or copyediting services, or if you simply want to connect and share experiences.
Let’s Chat!
Send me an email:
nataliakavale@kcopyeditingmate.com
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