As a proofreader, I have to be super open-minded about everything. For example, I usually have absolutely no interest in flies. At least, until my BFF talks about them. If I was given an essay or a thesis about flies, though, I think I might actually find it extremely interesting.
The thing about reading any thesis, with or without the intent of proofreading, can actually be really interesting due to the depth. I love getting a thesis that is really well-written and needs no copy-editing, just proofreading with commas and formatting and maybe a few spelling mistakes. Needing a proofreader says NOTHING about your ability to communicate articulately. You could be the smartest, most eloquent person in the world, and you just might have some sketchy ideas on English grammar conventions.
My point is, I get work on so many different subjects. These include (not naming any clients for privacy reasons), medical history, war history, law, plant biology, mechanical uses and the relationship between the elderly and new technology. Now, I’m more of a creative person than a practical one. But each and every one of these subjects was informative and interesting in their own right, and students, for the most part, really got me interested. As a proofreader, it makes my job easier and much more fun when I get to learn new things. So if you’re thinking about being my competition one day…well…make sure you love learning just as much as you love grammar.