Trial of the Century
Imagine getting an opportunity to participate in the trial of the century--to interact with the defense, the prosecution, and the bench, all while bypassing the expense and headaches of law school. If you want to work in a courtroom and have good listening and writing skills, consider a career as a court reporter.
Excellent Opportunities
The need for reporters to provide accurate transcripts of depositions, courtroom proceedings, and even transcripts of live television has resulted in a boom for court reporters and stenotype operators. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the field may grow by as much as 17% between now and 2014.
Get Your Career Started with Court Reporter Training
Although you won't need a degree to become a court reporter, many postsecondary education programs offer training in stenotype operation, voice recording, and transcription software. Other courses offer training in real time reporting to increase your typing speed. Some training programs even offer certification by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), which can prove an enormous advantage when applying for jobs.
Having completed your training, you'll be prepared to work as a court reporter on either a freelance or salaried basis--and to make a good living at it. Median annual earnings for court reporters approached $43,000 in 2004, while the highest-paid 10% made over $80,000. So what are you waiting for? Your court reporter training is just clicks away!
Source
"Court Reporters," U.S. Department of Labor Statistics
