Amanda, Somerset West
Our Listener – Amanda, Somerset West
“Finding balance in words, numbers, and movement.“
For nearly a decade, Amanda has found a steady balance between two very different worlds: the precision of numbers and the clarity of words. Based in Somerset West, she works full-time in administration and bookkeeping for a small engineering company, and when the workday ends, she turns her focus to transcription with Way With Words. For her, it is more than an income stream. It is an outlet for curiosity and reflection, a window into countless conversations, lives, and ideas she might never otherwise encounter.
Her journey began nine years ago when she was simply looking to earn a bit of extra income. She discovered transcription online and began researching companies that offered remote work opportunities. “I kept coming across US-based companies,” she recalls, “so when I found Way With Words and saw that they had a South African branch, it immediately caught my attention.” That local connection gave her confidence. Over time, the work evolved from a practical decision into something much more rewarding, more a space where she could learn, listen, and grow in unexpected ways.
As someone with an eye for detail and a natural inclination toward structure, transcription suited her perfectly. “Someone who is detail oriented, and willing to take the time to research and make sure that everything has been accurately captured – that’s what makes a great transcriber,” she says. It is an observation that echoes her dual life between bookkeeping and transcription, both of which require patience, precision, and care.
Amanda’s daily world is full of contrast. In one moment she is balancing ledgers and invoices; in the next, she is transcribing complex interviews or emotionally charged discussions. “Over the past nine years there have been recordings that have left me emotional due to difficult things being discussed,” she reflects. “Some touch close to home, and others are experiences I’ve never had, but they sit with me for a long time.” Not all recordings are heavy; many spark curiosity and discovery. “There have been so many interesting topics that I never would have known about if I hadn’t become a transcriber. You’re always learning something new.”
Outside of work, Amanda’s life is filled with movement and connection. Her “heart horse,” a beloved companion of nineteen years, remains a constant source of joy and calm. “He’s my oversized baby,” she says. When she is not outdoors with him or spending time with her partner, she can be found taking part in fusion belly dance classes twice a week, something she describes as both freeing and restorative. “It gets me out from behind the computer and into a space with a vibrant, welcoming group of ladies.”
It is this balance between the mental focus of transcription and the physical expression of dance that keeps her energised. “Transcribing requires listening deeply, interpreting tone, and ensuring every word is accurate,” she explains. “But dance allows me to just move and not think for a while. Both are creative in their own ways.”
When asked about the value of human transcription, Amanda is thoughtful. “AI doesn’t get everything accurate,” she says plainly. “Human transcribers make an effort to ensure what they hear is precisely what’s said, and we double-check everything. AI doesn’t do that. We make a huge difference.” Her words carry quiet conviction, not out of competition with technology but out of pride in a craft that demands both skill and empathy.
Nine years in, she has seen transcription evolve significantly, yet her perspective remains grounded. The work, she says, is about listening, not just to what is spoken but to meaning, nuance, and human experience. “You start to understand that every voice matters,” she adds. “Even when the topics are tough, you learn to listen without judgement. That’s what makes this job meaningful.”
Amanda’s story is one of quiet mastery, of a woman who finds beauty in detail, calm in structure, and balance in the space between mind and body. Whether she is typing a complex interview, managing figures, or dancing under soft studio lights, her work and life flow with the same intention: to give attention, care, and heart to everything she does.
Our Company – Way With Words
Way With Words provides high-quality transcription, translation, and speech data services to clients globally. Our dedicated contractors, like Amanda, embody our commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and the human touch that defines our work.