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[YYZ]

I live in Canada and recently saw a news program covering the opening of a new school to train court reporters (aka stenotype reporters or stenographers). If you don't know, this is the person (traditionally female?) that records spoken word (in court, legal hearings/meetings) in real time using a special machine called a stenotype. Everything is done through phonetics and shorthand and must be translated to English either by a computer or later on for record keeping. The theory being taught by this particular school is called Phoenix Theory.

Apparently there are less than a dozen (yea really twelve or fewer) real-time reporters in Canada. It is not uncommon to make over $100K or at least something quite comfortable. There is only one English school in Canada I think (two including the one that opened this month), but the field is much bigger in the US.

The school is private and costs ~$30K for two years including equipment. I'm thinking of doing this because the career path is narrow and focused and it's only two years. The school certifies you given that you pass the final exam. There is also a $250 entrance exam. I'm currently in university and I don't feel like I'm accomplishing anything worthwhile so I want to bail out into something better if possible.

Other jobs that a trained person can do is closed captioning, public events, religious services, webcasts, and educational services. I think the court reporting is the highest paid along with something like official government stuff.

Required qualities of a court reporter are excellent command of the language being spoken, attention to detail, and the ability to focus for long periods at a time. The most highly skilled court reporters can provide transcription in real time and have significant earning potential.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Court_reporter

Anyone happen to know someone who's doing this job or something related? I'm just wondering what people's thoughts are on this before I take serious interest in it.

 

[Witchfinder General]

I live in Canada and recently saw a news program covering the opening of a new school to train court reporters (aka stenotype reporters or stenographers). If you don't know, this is the person (traditionally female?) that records spoken word (in court, legal hearings/meetings) in real time using a special machine called a stenotype. Everything is done through phonetics and shorthand and must be translated to English either by a computer or later on for record keeping. The theory being taught by this particular school is called Phoenix Theory.

Apparently there are less than a dozen (yea really twelve or fewer) real-time reporters in Canada. It is not uncommon to make over $100K or at least something quite comfortable. There is only one English school in Canada I think (two including the one that opened this month), but the field is much bigger in the US.

The school is private and costs ~$30K for two years including equipment. I'm thinking of doing this because the career path is narrow and focused and it's only two years. The school certifies you given that you pass the final exam. There is also a $250 entrance exam. I'm currently in university and I don't feel like I'm accomplishing anything worthwhile so I want to bail out into something better if possible.

Other jobs that a trained person can do is closed captioning, public events, religious services, webcasts, and educational services. I think the court reporting is the highest paid along with something like official government stuff.



https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Court_reporter

Anyone happen to know someone who's doing this job or something related? I'm just wondering what people's thoughts are on this before I take serious interest in it.

I don't think you're going to have much luck there, chief.

Anyhoo, sounds interesting if that's your bag.

Good luck.

 

[Tamanon]

I know someone who does it in America. Going in, you have to realize, there is no advancement whatsoever. The job never changes. Nothing new ever.

That being said, it's great money, not overly stressful and you can work for the government until you retire doing it.

 

[MaverickX9]

I think a lot of courts are starting to audio or videotape trials and what not.

I would check out the job opportunities first. Maybe even check out a few local district courts or whatever and inquire about their plans for the near future, as far as reporting goes.

Oh yeah, my aunt studied court reporting. I don't think she liked it at all, though, and never actually took a job in the field.