subject: Starting A New Court Reporter Career [print this page] If you are looking for a job in a thriving field where you can make a good salary, then a court reporter career might be perfect for you. Court reporters have an interesting job that can change from one day to the next. There are positions in this field in every county in the United States and in countries around the world. As long as there are courts handling law suits and criminal proceedings, there will be a need for reporters.
As a court reporter, you will primarily be in charge of keeping accurate records of what happens in the daily proceedings. This means that you will be spending a lot of time listening carefully to what is said by attorneys, judges, defendants, and juries. You will need to think quickly and take precise notes.
You will be given a special type writer designed for this setting where you take notes of everything that is said. Reporters must type every single word that is uttered in the court room for the sake of keeping archives. This means that you have to type with high speed and total accuracy.
Other duties of reporters could include filing their notes and sorting other documents that come in for each case. You will act as an assistant to the judge, offering whatever paperwork is needed each day. This means you must be organized and constantly prepared for what might come up in a case so that you have the correct documents on hand.
Working as a reporter is a good idea for students who need part time work while they go to law school or work on their paralegal training. A lot of reporters work part time which is a great way for students to get experience in the courtroom while going to classes at the same time. You will also meet a lot of people as a reporter that could serve as connections for you in a future career.
There is some training required for this position. You will need to take courses as part of a program that is often offered at community colleges or junior universities. You will learn skills that apply to office management as well as the legal jargon you will need to understand and use in your reports.
With careful study, you can enjoy a long and successful court reporter career. There are endless job opportunities available for those who can type quickly and accurately. Reporters also have the opportunity to have a new kind of work each day with new people to interact with as each case comes and goes.
