WHAT DOES A COURT REPORTER CAREER LOOK LIKE?
While court reporting professionals can, and do, work in a variety of settings, most court reporters spend their time attending court proceedings such as trials, hearings, and depositions where they document everything that is said verbatim for the official record. Using stenography machines, other equipment, or shorthand, court reporters must be able to keep up with proceedings and must be able to create timely, accurate transcriptions of events. Court reporters may also need to administer oaths in court and understand how to read and monitor court calendars.
If you choose to work as a court reporter, you may work for a federal, state, or local government agency, a private law firm, or a nonprofit corporation. You could also choose to work for yourself as a freelance court reporter, choosing your work hours and location.
BECOMING A COURT REPORTER
There is not a national qualification standard for court reporters in the United States today. Instead, each state establishes its own qualification requirements. In many jurisdictions, aspiring court reporters must complete certificate programs or associate degree program in court reporting. You may be able to tailor your education to focus on a particular aspect of court reporting such as:
- Communication access real-time translation (CART)
- Closed captioning
- Real-time captioning
- Judicial reporting
- Webcasting
When exploring educational programs to train for a court reporting career, look for a program that includes instruction and training on at least the following topics:
- Machine shorthand
- Legal, medical, and technical terminology
- English spelling and grammar
- Stenography speed and theory principles
- Listening and concentration skills
- The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) Code of Ethics
After completing a degree or certificate in court reporting, make sure you meet all applicable state licensing requirements to work in your state. You may also consider pursuing additional certifications, such as those offered through the NCRA, the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT), or the National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA), among others.
PREPARE FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER WITH GENERATIONS COLLEGE!
Court reporting can be a rewarding career path, both personally and professionally. If you want to become a court reporter, Generations College can help! Established in 1904 in heart of Chicago, Generations College boasts one of the nation’s oldest and finest court reporting programs. We offer traditional, on-campus courses as well as a fully accredited online degree program, making it easier than ever for busy adults to earn their college degrees. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and explore whether the court reporting career is right for you!