Do you live for re-runs of classic courtroom drama television shows? Do you find suits to be the height of fashion? Do you long for a career in the legal arena but loath the idea of years and years of law school? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider these top 10 other reasons to become a court reporter.
1. You can get a certificate or degree online
Whether you’re graduating high school, college or working in an unrewarding job, it’s easy to train to become a court reporter online. There are many accredited schools offering certificates and degrees in court reporting – and you can earn them in the comfort of your own home, on your lunch break, in the evenings or on the weekends.
2. You can start your career in as little as one year
Some court reporting certificates and degrees can be earned in as little as on year. Others take up to 33 months. Either way, you can get your education in much less time than that required for a liberal arts degree.
3. You’ll have job stability
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecasted that the court reporting field will grow 18 percent by the year 2018. Now that’s job security!
4. You’ll have job options
With a certificate or degree in court reporting, you can choose to work as a courtroom stenographer, as a broadcast closed captioner, as a freelance court reporter or transcriptionist, or in one of the other industries employing professionals with real-time transcription skills.
5. You can utilize your superior listening skills
If you’ve always been a bit of a mina bird, able to repeat what someone has said to you verbatim, you could become an amazing court reporter. Those who are adept at listening closely, and avoiding distraction, are well-suited for the field.
6. You can utilize your superior typing skills
If your fingers are like tiny ninjas on the typewriter, striking keys with speed and precision every time, court reporting could be the career for you. In order to become a certified court reporter, you need to develop a shorthand typing speed of at least 225 words per minute.
7. You get to hang out with lawyers
Okay, maybe this isn’t a benefit. Unless you like lawyers. And, if you have any interest in becoming a court reporter, you probably do.
8. You’ll earn a decent salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2008 figures, the median yearly salary for a court reporter is $49,710. This is a very competitive wage for a career requiring less than a four-year college education.
9. You’ll work normal business hours
Especially as courtroom stenographers, court reporters enjoy great hours. No evenings or weekends locked in the office. Plenty of opportunity to spend quality time with your family. Sounds pretty great, right?
10. You can make a difference
Court reporters are essential to legal proceedings. The accuracy of their transcription is often vital to the case. Closed captioning is also a noble profession for one skilled in real-time transcription. Everyone deserves the right to enjoy news, television entertainment and movies. Closed captioners make this possible for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Are you ready to sign up yet? To learn more about the career of court reporting, please check out our articles and other resources.
