If you are reading this right now, there is no doubt that you have been considering becoming a court reporter in the near future. If so, you are most assuredly in good company, as court reporting is one of the fastest growing and most stable professions in any field today. While computer technicians and medical personnel are careers that will likely never fizzle out, they are also careers that constantly change, taking with them the value of many of the skills acquired in studying to become a computer programmer or a doctor. Software programs may change, and medical breakthroughs which turn most of the healthcare profession on its head can occur at any time, especially in this age of constant progress.
| While this may seem appealing to some, others prefer the steady and stable world of court reporting. Court reporting involves the use a stenography device for the transcription of dialogue and actions that take place in, of course, court. As a profession of this sort demands only a few years of initial familiarization with the required equipment and theory, it lends itself very well to the sort of job that is stimulating but not completely suffocating or backbreaking. After beginning to understand the mechanics of the job, a court reporter is able to “settle down” and either further his or her position within the job, or focus on other either secondary or primary aspirations when not at the courts during the normal 40 hour work week.
| Networking is essential. In the event that work becomes scarce in your area, or just in case you would like to take on more hours and really immerse yourself into what have become your overwhelming and consuming passion for the legal world, it is imperative that you know where to turn in the search for new work. References are also key, as those who have worked in a taxing up front trial environment and proven their salt will be able to secure much better pay and more flexible hours than those who have not yet completely perfected their skills. Court reporting can be simple once the ropes are learned, but it can also be competitive due to its relatively high learning curve in some cases. Obviously, once a person has chosen to pursue this career, there comes the question is what is often required in order to become a viable candidate for hire. As court reporting is at its heart a technical job, technical certification is very important for those who wish to appear competitive. Not every state requires certification, but becoming certified grants an employee an edge in the hiring process, as an accredited certification guarantees that he or she means business and is aware of what it takes to perform at least adequately in the court room. The manual expertise preferred on such instruments as the stenotype machine and voice recorder is also evaluated during these exams, signaling to hiring court systems that both theory and practice are valued abilities held by the prospective employee.
The National Court Reporters Association is the most trusted and recognized court reporting certification board in the United States, if not the world, and a certification from this board will guarantee instant credibility when seeking work. Skills examinations are administered by the National Court Reporters Association on the first Saturday of May and the first Saturday of November in each year, while written exams are given 4 times per year. As with most deadlines we see in our lives, the deadlines for registration are always fast approaching, so if you wish to become certified, it is advised that you locate their website and begin filling out the relevant forms today.
Of course, the National Court Reporters Association is not just a bureaucratic society that administers tests. Conventions and conferences are held periodically in different cities around the country, and these functions are great ways to meet those who face the same struggles every day that you face. Like minded individuals are able to come together and discuss new innovations in the field, general news, and to generally have a good time. Court reporters come from all walks of life. As many court reporters hold other secondary or primary jobs as actors, musicians,or whatever else they are most interested in when not in front of a stenotype machine, you are bound to forge new friendships with exciting people at these events.
The motto for the National Court Reporters Association is “Guardians of the Record,” and this is as fitting a motto as there can be. It is an association of those who value history and honesty, and who believe that the past is one of humanity’s most undervalued and overlooked teachers in this struggle known as life. The National Court Reporters Association is dedicated to the preservation of the standards of legal records, and the policies by which all court reporters must abide. Membership is highly recommended, and once certification is obtained, there is nolimit to the variability and wonder the life of a court reporter can bring to you. |
