Changing or choosing the right career can be challenging; however, if you have a love for words, a strong interest in the legal profession and a want or need to be in an exciting, lucrative, and fascinating profession, then you may want to pursue a career as a court reporter.
Court reporting is a great career that can allow you to set your own schedule, work as many days and you want, and most of all once you have attained your national certification you can take it almost anywhere. Yes, it is a remote profession. However, before you take that big step in becoming a court reporter, there are a few things that you should know first:
First, choose a training program that works best, not only for your pocket, but one that will give you the adequate training you need in order for you to be successful in the field. You want to be prepared and abreast when you enter the legal realm. Having adequate amounts of legal and medical terminology will help you in the long run. Choosing a training program that incorporates both legal and medical terminology within many dictations is a great way to start. Because voice writing is only a six month program, most programs do not offer financial aid, but have made it very cost affordable. Most training programs range from $2200-$6000. Some require an upfront fee to start, with an affordable monthly plan, or require the entire amount upfront. Best of all, there is no financial aid to pay back.
Second, make sure this is a career that you want to dedicate your time towards making into a reality. While in school it is important to practice. Court reporting is a skill, not just some book that you can pick up, read, and study. It involves commitment, dedication, and plenty of practice. Perfecting the skill is important in order to become a great reporter.
Third, choose what style of reporting you want to pursue. Voice writing is the faster, easier and more affordable method toward becoming a certified court reporter. It requires six to nine months of extreme dedication. A voice writer repeats, verbatim, the spoken word into a silencer mask and then prepares, produces, and edits the transcript. Voice writers use realtime recognition, digital recorders, or both. They are highly skilled in the arena of court reporting and are able to transcribe dictation at 250 words per minute. Stenographers, require a minimum of two to three years to complete the program. Extreme practice, commitment, and dedication are needed in order to successfully master the skill. Stenographers are able to type 225 words per minute. Most schools do offer financial aid for the stenography program.
Fourth, keep a positive attitude. Learning a new skill can be very challenging. But with hard work and dedication it can be done.
Whether you choose to become a court reporter as a voice writer in six months, or a stenography in three years, both require commitment, and dedication in order to become a superb, certified court reporter.
