Court Reporting: The Secret Six-Figure Earning Career

Court reporting has turned into one of those careers nobody knows much about.  It seems people thought that court reporters would become obsolete during the technology age of our time.  But, the truth is, court reporters are in more demand than ever and across the country, there is a shortage of them to the point that our federal government is giving schools money to do more recruitment.  

In case you didn't know what a court reporter does, here's the low-down.  A court reporter or stenographer is someone takes down a verbatim record using a shorthand / steno machine at rates of up to 225 wpm.  They work in courtrooms as official reporters taking down all the testimony on that little, funny looking machine.  They also are portable and can take down depositions at law offices for civil cases.  They are typically referred to as Deposition/ Freelance Reporters.  Stenographers are also the ones who do the closed-capitoning you see at the top or bottom of your television screen when you put in on mute.  They are actually typing all live events as they are happening.  They also do those live webcasts you see transcripts of when you go online.  Phew!  This field is very vast in options, and if you get bored in one field, you can try going into another without having to go back and obtain a new skill--you already have it.

So how does one end up typing at 225 words per minute?  Well, first you have to attend a court reporting school where they teach you shorthand theories and help you build your speed.  You do not need to know how to type on a regular keyboard, however, it can't hurt to have that extra dexterity that knowing how to type can give you.  Schools are all over the country and the most reputable ones are featured on the National Court Reporters Association website (ncraonline.org).  These school have gone through a special approval process by the NCRA and are generally the best ones to attend in order to get your certification.