If you are thinking about becoming a court reporter, you probably have questions about what your future career might entail. Before enrolling in a court reporting degree program, it is important to fully understand the decisions you will need to make on your path to becoming a court reporter and what you can expect after earning your degree.
Here are five factors every court reporting student should consider.
1. JOB OUTLOOK APPEARS STABLE
If you are looking for a career where you can earn a comfortable living, going to school for your court reporting degree is a smart move. The median pay for court reporters in the United States in 2017 was $55,120. The job outlook for court reporters is expected to grow at a rate of 3 percent between 2016 and 2026 — meaning more court reporters will be needed in the coming years.
Your job prospects are not limited to traditional court reporting, either. Many people with court reporting degrees choose to work in broadcast captioning or providing CART services for hearing-impaired consumers. The demand for these services is growing, creating more opportunities for court reporting students interested in nontraditional roles.
2. TRAINING REQUIRED TO BECOME A COURT REPORTER
To work as a court reporter, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in the English language as well as adeptness with the technologies and tools typically used in courtroom settings. Good listening skills, speed and accuracy are critical — court reporters who can demonstrate they’ve mastered these skills are in demand.
Depending on the state where you want to work, you may also need to get licensed, become a notary public or obtain advanced certifications after earning your associate degree in court reporting.
3. IT’S IMPORTANT TO PICK THE RIGHT SCHOOL
When you choose the right college for your court reporting education, you can be confident you’ll gain the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to excel in your chosen career.
Look for an accredited college that provides real-world experience and instruction by professionals who have held court reporting jobs. You should also ensure the college you choose trains students using the most up-to-date court reporting equipment, as this can help with your future employability.
4. EXPECT SOME CAREER EXPENSES
Most court reporting students know and expect to pay for their education. What you may not anticipate is having career expenses after earning your associate degree in court reporting. Most court reporters need to be able to furnish their own steno machines, laptop computers, transcription software and printers. You will likely also need to pay your licensure or certification fees. All of this can add up to more than $10,000 to begin working as a court reporter.
However, keep in mind that if you’ve purchased a steno machine, laptop and other equipment during college, you may be able to continue using that equipment. This can lower your initial out-of-pocket expenses.
5. A PROFESSIONAL APPROACH CAN HELP YOU SUCCEED
After investing in your career by earning your degree and purchasing required equipment, you naturally want to succeed. One of the best ways to do that is to take a professional approach to being a court reporter. This means dressing professionally and staying on top of local and national news and current events.
You can also improve your chances of career success by being ready and willing to go beyond the minimum requirements of the job by purchasing and using reference software tools that can help you find related, relevant information quickly and easily.
Choosing a career in court reporting can be extremely rewarding. When you approach your education deliberately and understand what to expect after graduation, you’ll be better prepared to work in this exciting field.
To learn more about how Generations College prepares court reporting degree program graduates for their future careers, contact us online or call (312) 922-1884 today.