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Comment by Todd Olivas
11/9/2007 |
Dear Debbie:
Great question. You’re not the only one who has had a relapse of the steno bug after a “long” absence. I’ve met many working reporters who perhaps got licensed and then subsequently “retired” to have children and/or different careers. I am not a scientist but I believe the skill is still in you — even after lying dormant for awhile. The muscle memory will have to be refreshed of course. You can do that by heading back to school. I know many schools will allow you to sit in on dictation without paying full price — free, perhaps.
I would personally set course back to the field by doing the following: for every year that you’ve been off your machine, plan to spend a month in practice mode. And practice mode should consist of attending live dictation at school, sitting out in either court or in depositions. Also, get out your theory book and get back to basics. Do a theory lesson or two each day during this entire process. And read back your notes. If you are making consistent errors, how would you know unless you read your notes!
DO NOT SPEND ANY MONEY on fancy machines and CAT software until you are sure that you’re ready. If you don’t have a machine whatsoever, get a cheapy manual one until you’re really, really ready to re-take the plunge. See ebay or craigslist for manual machines for sale.
Finally, get plugged back in to the industry by joining the NCRA and/or online communities geared towards court reporting.
Best of luck!!
-Todd |
Comment by Debbie R.
10/7/2007 |
Todd,
What would you recommend to someone who wants to get back into the field of court reporting after a *long* absence? I am looking at machines and CAT software, and don’t have money to throw away — who does — so I want to make wise choices.
I was an RPR/CM (now called RMR) when I left employment at a freelance agency many years ago. My machine was provided and I had a scopist. So much has changed, and I want to bring myself back up to speed. |
Comment by Zoila
6/5/2008 |
Hi Todd, I am so happy to have found this website. I recently graduated from school, and now I don`t know where to go or what to do. I contacted several court reporters and will begin doing some more interning. I also enrolled in the NCRA, but do not understand the CEU`s and how to keep up with that. Where can I read more of the procedures to follow? I will be taking the RPR test this November. In this state, you don`t have to have your RPR to find work, but some places do require it. I want to look for employment but feel that since I don`t have the RPR, they will not even bother with me. I need to start working very soon... I guess I am just feeling desperate and overwhelmed. Please help. |
Comment by Todd Olivas
6/11/2008 |
Hi Zoila, Thank you for writing to me. I would love to help. First, some encouragement: Nobody has it all figured out right out of school. You are already well on your way to succeeding in this career since you have graduated from court reporting school and are beginning to do some interning. You`ve even got the RPR test coming up. You sound like a very motivated person who will find her path to the goals you have set. Congrats! Second, here is what I would do if I were you: - I would contact the NCRA and ask them to explain the way the CEUs work. They are a very helpful organization and are expert at guiding young reporters.
- I would visit their website at www.ncraonline.org. This website is a great resource for helping you know which procedures to follow as well as court reporter ethics.
- Since November is right around the corner and the RPR test will be here, I would be sure to keep up my speed by practicing drills and reviewing my theory.
- Also, if at all possible, I`d try to step back into school for some live dictation.
You didn`t mention what state you live in, but I`m sure there are a ton of helpful agencies who would be willing to mentor you along until you`re 100% ready to work. I hope that helps. There is no need to feel desperate and overwhelmed because there are a lot of resources at your disposal to help. Take full advantage of it all and take care! -Todd
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Comment by adreinne coffer
10/25/2008 |
I`m thinking about getting back in to court reporting again. I went to school about ten years ago but didn`t finish and I really want to start again. The problem is I`m 40 and wonder if I`m too old to change careers? |
Comment by Miriam LindsaY
11/19/2008 |
Hi,
My name is Miriam and I am looking into court reporting school. I have worked and been around law enforcement for the last few years and I am trying to get something a little more normal in schedule now that I have two children to care for. You mentioned knowing some good school in Northern California... can you recommend any????
I am totally 100% motivated to do this... any tips???
Thanks again,
Miriam Lindsay |
Comment by Todd Olivas
11/21/2008 |
Dear Miriam, I am really excited for you to embark on a career in court reporting. I`ve said this many times but here I go again: Court reporting saved my life. I had no idea what I wanted to do (other than become a rock star) in my early 20s. Thank God, He showed me this career! Congratulations on your two kids as well. I believe being a freelance reporter affords a great deal of flexibility that you`re going to need raising those two young ones. As far as northern California schools, I can`t personally recommend any one of them over another. The reason, of course, is that I`ve not attended them as a student. I am a graduate of a Southern California school called South Coast College which I highly recommend. Still, in my travels as a guest speaker, I have visited many schools in northern California including the following: I hope this helps! |
Comment by Biana Yuzhuk
2/3/2009 |
HI Todd, My naME IS Biana and I am in school for Court Reporting and is in my second semester taking Advanced Theory. I did very well in theory and now I am having a little more difficult time keeping up. I started working full time as well. DO you recomend not working full time while in school? I`ve been noticing I have only been putting about 4 hours a week on my machine outside the class. I laso have trouble woth the briefs.. Any advice? |
Comment by Todd Olivas
2/4/2009 |
Biana - congratulations on taking Advanced Theory! Stick with it; do the program as explicitly as your instructors dictate; practice as much as you can and you`ll get through. As far as working full time while in school, here is what I would consider to be the ultimate immersion experience for getting through school quickly: Eat, sleep and breath steno. My general rule is the fewer distractions you have, the faster you will get out of school. That being said, if you must work, then by all means, work. But if there is any way that you could quit or work part-time, that would be preferable as your distraction level will decrease as your speed increases. Also, I don`t think 4 hours a week on your machine outside of class is enough. What about weekends? You could do 4 hours each day which would add 8 hours to your current 4, giving you 12. What do you think? In a nutshell: Practice, practice, practice. |
Comment by Linda Martinelli
3/16/2009 |
Hi, I live in New York and am thinking of moving to Southern CA in about 2 years. I have been a court reporter in New York for over 15 years. Do I need to take the CA State test or can I apply for my CA license with proof of my work experience? This is my life and I don`t want to give it up and the thought of going back to school to prepare for the test....well, you can understand. Please advise. Thanks, Linda. |
Comment by Todd Olivas
3/16/2009 |
Hi, Linda Your first stop is to go to www.courtreportersboard.ca.gov to gather all the current info and relevant applications. You will definitely have to take the CA test, but the good news is that it is now given more times per year than when I was in school. Previously, it was a six-month wait between tests. Ouch! Now I believe the machine portion is given three times and the written (academic portion) is administered at third-party testing sites at any time. Best of luck and welcome to California! |
Comment by Kimberly Martin
5/4/2009 |
Hi Todd, I am interested in court reporting but, I am new to the field.
I have no idea where to begin to look for training or find out more info do you have any suggestions.
Thanks, Kimberly. |
Comment by Laura
5/21/2009 |
I am 44 and interested in court reporting. I have an associates degree, a paralegal degree and am re-entering the work force after 15 years off. Is court reporting still in demand and since I live in Utah and there are no schools here, do you recommend online schools? |
Comment by CeeJay
10/12/2009 |
Hello; I am 46. If I start now and finish CR schoolin say....5 years... will that make me TOO OLD to be hire material...even if I`m good? thanks c |
Comment by tammie frizzell
12/20/2009 |
Hi! I am in Oklahoma studying court reporting, but plan to move east when I finish. Some states have different requirements - how do I find out what each state`s requirements for licensure are?
Great website - nice to know we have a friend out there in the business!
T |
Comment by Todd Olivas
12/20/2009 |
Tammie,
When you`re ready to start researching the various requirements, I`d suggest just using Google to search for court reporters board New Jersey (as an example.) Then read all you can on that particular board`s site. That`s what I`d do.
Good luck!
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Comment by alexandria
1/21/2010 |
Todd,
Hi my name is Alex, and I`m thinking about being a court reporter. I have a lot of questions, --does it pay good? is it hard? do you like it?
i want to make good money ya know and i wanna be intelligent(: i was going to become a Lawyer because i like to argue and everything but i didnt want to have student loans and things like that....i didnt want to pay them back i may be only 16 going on to 17 in three months but i know what i want in life and what i want to be and im going to get there no matter how hard i try and do school work i just wanted a professionals opionion! thank you
-alex marie
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Comment by Suzanne Leon
1/23/2010 |
I am considering re-entering the field of deposition reporting after taking 14 years off. My problem is that the theory I learned at South Coast College of Court Reporting is different than at Bryan College in Sacramento. I`m not sure I could learn a new way to write. I would have to go back to school to regain my skills. I kept my certification current but so much has changed since I`ve worked. Should I take the plunge? |
Comment by Marina
2/1/2010 |
Hello,
Ten years ago, I was very interested in becoming a Court Reporter but I was told that it was a dying field. I have been looking into it again. What is your take on the outcome for Court Reporters? Thank you for your time. |
Comment by Kris
2/4/2010 |
Hi Todd,
In your experience in traveling through different court reporting schools, do you think that there`s a big difference between public and private institutions? I`m trying to decide what`s the right choice for me--whether to go to an affordable public school where I can dedicate myself full-time or go to a private one which requires me to get a loan and work. |
Comment by Todd
2/9/2010 |
To Kris - Yes. There is a big difference. Many are obvious and too many to list here. As a general rule of thumb... I would say, go to the best school you can afford given the other realities of your life. |
Comment by Dawn
3/15/2010 |
Hello Todd - I am 54 yrs. old, and in school at Alfred Tech. in their on-line course. I hope to complete this course in 2 l/2 yrs. Is there any need for a court reporter who is 56 or 57 yrs. Old.? |
Comment by Melanie
4/22/2010 |
Hello Todd,
I was taking Court Reporting classes in NY but only made it to Advanced Theory and had to leave because I became pregnant and my husband is the ARMY and we had to move to GA. I really want to get back into it but cannot go to school because we don`t have anyone to care for our 6 month old son, I am considering taking online classes.Do you recommend the online classes or is this something that needs to be taught in a classroom only?
Would really love to hear your opinion. Thanks so much -Melanie |
Comment by Shandra Porter
4/23/2010 |
Hello Todd,
I am in my 1st semester of training to become a voice court reporter. I love the classes thus far but really need to finish school and make a transition back into the workforce as soon as possible. Is it really true that the voice approach for court reporting is faster than the Steno approach? Also, what are your thoughts on testing for Court Reporter certification before completing school, given I feel prepared before 2 yrs? |
Comment by alice
5/24/2010 |
Is it possible for someone to go to school full time and work full time while in school for CR? Or is that wanting to much? |
Comment by jennifer
7/12/2010 |
Hi :)
I started school back in September of 2004. I too had to take some time off to have a son after two years of schooling. I started back exactly one year ago. I sat back to 80. With a lot of hard work I am now at 160. I am a single mother working full time. It has been quite the challenge.
I was very recently informed that you only have 18 quarters of schooling and only $57K in student loans to complete the certificate program. I`m now scrambling to secure my $50K investment... EVERYONE please make sure you check your school/state`s requirements and guidelines for exactly how long you have to complete your program!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say, this tiny detail was not in bold print in the school`s handbook...
I`m not trying to knock the program at all. It`s just a very important fact that you should be aware of before starting this program. I love t his field and I am praying that I am able to pull it off before my time is up!
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