subject: Employment In Court Reporting Careers Provides Opportunities In Many Other Job Options [print this page] A position with court reporting careers is an exciting a unique position. There are seldom two days the same and it is a vital part of the courtroom proceedings. The court reporter is the individual that is seen sitting by the judge and typing all parts of the conversations taking place.
A court report has an important position and all work must be very precise as often times a transcript is referred back to for information regarding a court proceeding. Those in this field must be quick with shorthand, be proficient in the equipment used and be precise.
The requirement for school is approximately two years which will allow the individual to become certified. The program usually has many online classes enabling the person to continue working while earning the degree. Following the program is an internship which allows the person to gain experience in the field and perfect their skills.
The internship is necessary for preparing the court reporter to be proficient in the work. During classes and in the internship a court reporter is taught to use shorthand and one of two different pieces of equipment for recording. The stenotype machine is the one that is most familiar to those who have seen a court reporter working. The conversations are entered using a type of shorthand that allows the person to type the large amount of words per minute that is required.
The second option is a steno mask machine which allows the reporter to verbally state all words and gestures into a voice recorder. The recorder also has a mask which prevents the others present to hear what the reporter is saying into the recorder. When this equipment is used, following the daily proceedings all recordings are transferred into transcription from.
Court reporting courses will teach the individual all legal and medical terminology for ease in effectively completing transcriptions. It is very important to get continued practice in order to be able to type the minimum required 225 words a minute. This job also has requirements of precision and detail.
Being trained in court reporting careers also may involve doing research on previous transcripts and other duties as well. Those qualified will be able to expand the career in several different options such as doing freelance work or a medical transcriber. There are numerous opportunities in this field, the pay is excellent and there is always a demand for efficient transcribers.
