The World of Court Reporters and Stenographers Thursday, February 18th, 2016

Did you ever want to take on a career in court reporting?

“If Britney Spears can make it through 2007, you can make it through court reporting school.” – Anonymous

The career of a Stenographer or Court Reporter can be a very lucrative and a rewarding occupation. The job requires a particular personality, a good education, and the ability to land a steady schedule. It’s an important job and has many positives, but also many consequences. There are reliable resources out there and we’ve put together a snapshot of the BIG world of the court reporter.

Historical 1965 ad for Stenotype Operator – Wikipedia Public Domain

Steganography is the act of recording spoken word through shorthand using a stenotype machine. A good stenographer types between 200-300 wpm and must be 98% accurate. That means the type of person selecting this as a career should be prepared for the responsibility that the job entails. To type with those stats, a good education and lots of practice (that means work) are what you’ll need to get you into many doors.Check out this Steno Knight’s app http://stenoknight.com/kws.html

When you’re selecting schools to get your Court Reporter’s Certificate or Associate’s Degree, keep a few things in mind. It’s going to take approximately 2-4 years to complete the program. There are several great schools to select from in the Southern Florida region. Out of the nine schools most come well recommended. Be sure to look at schools that are accredited.

People want to hire reporters with experience. This is important to always keep in mind. If you’re just starting out, hang in there. Agencies are seeking skilled stenographers all the time. It’s a sought after field because of the hours, versatility in cases and income. The salary is versatile depending on the area you live and work in. On average a court reporter’s salary will vary between $50,000 and 90,000.

The wages are on the modest side and again it depends on your skills and experience. Accuracy is important since you must type verbatim of people’s conversations during a court case or deposition.

You have to possess the right characteristics to have a successful career in court reporting. The following are the traits necessary for someone whom is ideal for this position:

1. Maturity2. Promptness and

Punctuality3. Laser Focused4. Flexible in their demeanor5. Organization Skills

A good resource is the NCRA or National Court Reporters Association. Formerly known as the National Shorthand Reporters Association this is an organization setting the standards. The NCRA site is full of information, such as where to go for your certification test and a member’s only sign-on. An example of of some of the information you can expect to find is that of Contracting. “Prohibiting parties of interest in litigation from having a direct contractual relationship with court reporters, as officers of the court, is necessary to ensure the public’s faith in the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system.” The NCRA’s site holds a plethora of information for representatives of the courts and is a “must see” if you’re contemplating a career in this field.

If you think that this is the type of career that would be suitable for you contact your local accredited school. Take that step on getting the education and experience in your field. This can be a rewarding position that you can be proud of. There is an endless sea of information on the web about Court Reporters and Stenographers. Our professional offices can answer many of your questions as experts in our field.

http://miamicourtreportingservices.com/court-reporting-stenographer-school.htmlhttp://miamicourtreportingservices.com/

https://youtu.be/C6VE8DIN2SM