Becoming a Scopist

[Mary Holliday]

HI!  I retired from court reporting in 1998 to become an interior designer.  I loved the work but the economy pretty much put me out of business.  I'm interested in becoming a scopist and would like to know what I need to do.  I was a reporter for 10 years, licensed in California and Nevada.  I concentrated mainly on physician and technical depos.  What type of software would I need to buy?  I'm at a loss!  Any help would be appreciated.  I live in San Diego.  Thanks!  Mary  

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

If you were a reporter, then you already have the software.  Don't know what you are on, but you just need to advertise yourself in the scopist group under whatever software you use.  Also go to Scopists.com and post an ad there.  At least that's what I would do.

[Mary Holliday]

Hi Kelli -- Thanks for your input.  I don't have any software.  I was on Xscribe when it first came out.  I have long since gotten rid of all my equipment.  That's what I need to know is what software is common and the cost of the software and necessary equipment.  Thanks so much!  Mary

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

I was on Xcribe too a long, long time ago.  I switched to Eclipse about 10 years ago.  At the time I had to learn Windows and Eclipse at the same time since Xcribe was DOS based.  At least you know Windows by now so you are ahead of the game. 

 

I also know that CaseCAT and Eclipse are the two most popular and if you want to be able to have your pick of the most clients, you should go with either one of those scoping software.  I think the scoping software costs about 1500 I think.  I will say Eclipse is not easy to learn but when you have it down, it is absolutely wonderful and a very stable program. 

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[Mary Ann Payonk]

Mary, if I was in that situation, I would buy both systems.  It seems like overkill, but the economy is affecting court reporting as well.  There are still plenty of reporters out there who need excellent, and I mean excellent scopists.  Trust me when I say there are tons of reporters out there who NEED the help of an excellent scopist because they have a BIT of trouble making sentences and punctuating even their own work, so a crackerjack scopist is invaulable to them.  If you limit yourself to one or the other software, you're ... well, you're limited.  We talk all the time on this board about feast or famine.  You can help avoid that by having clients on both sides of the CAT software main offerings, and I would suggest it's a good thing.  Of course, you can always proofread for about $.25 per page, I think is the going rate, without any special software.  The trickle-down effect affects lawyers, reporters, also scopists.  But if you browse this and other boards you'll soon discover that there are scopists and then there are scopists.  You'll find fly-by-night's everywhere, but if you establish yourself as a knowledgeable and FLEXIBLE scopist who produces silk purses on a regular basis you will definitely have work as word of your abilities spreads by word of mouth and glowing praises of your clients.  Good luck, Mary

 

M.A.

[Mary Holliday]

 Hi Mary Ann -- Thanks for taking the time to reply.  I really appreciate your input!  Thanks, Mary 

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

There are other reasons to use a scopist besides you can't make a complete sentence, as Mary Ann suggests.  I have tendonitis in my left wrist and when I try to edit my own work, it is so painful.  I stick to what my skill is and that is writing on my steno machine; that's the money maker.  I use a scopist for absolutely everything.  I also like a second pair of eyes to look at my work besides me. 

 

The problem I come across is most scopists are terrible and lazy and won't look anything up.  I can't count how many scopists I have been through.  I have about three decent scopists now and I am very grateful.  I couldn't do this job without them.   They definitely are worth every penny!

[Mary Jo Cochran]

How much do average (_____) to real good (___) scopists get paid per paid.  As a new scopist, what would be the starting page rate.  What would be the maximum page rate?

[Mary Ann Payonk]

Mary, a still-wet-behind-the-ears scopist who DOESN'T hyphenate two-and-a-half hours for me, who DOESN'T pepper a transcript with totally unnecessary commas and (the worst!) semicolons, and who is smart enough to know that every "that" phrase doesn't need to be comma'd off can command a much higher page rate simply because they "get it."  Add in doing research on spellings and double-checking me on mine is worth their MY weight in gold.  Some veteran scopists who've been around a very long time, just like some of those reporters we all know, definitely have longevity in the profession, but how they attained it with the quality of their work is beyond all comprehension.  Hit the ground running, Mary!

 

M.A.

[Mary Holliday]

HI Mary Ann -- You replied to me in May about becoming a scopist.  I was a reporter for ten years in San Diego and Las Vegas.  I bought the Eclipse 5 software and I'm jumping right back in!  I love this software.  My question for you is, how do I know if I'm ready to start looking for work as a scopist?  It's all coming back to me a lot faster than I thought it would!  Which is great!  Thanks for your input.  It's very much appreciated!  Mary Holliday

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

I have two I am using now.  One is very experienced and one is new.  I pay them the same rate:  $1.00 a page for a regular job with no full listen to audio.  You must also keep in mind when I give them a job, there are no untranslated words in the job and all names are put in.  Half their work is done.  

 

I think that is why I get so frustrated when I get a sloppy transcript back when I give the scopist such a clean product to begin with.  No excuse for it.

[Mary Holliday]

Hi Kelli -- I can't believe they would actually send back a sloppy transcript.  I'm definitely going to pursue this since I think there's always room for a great scopist.  I was a good reporter for a long time, so I don't think it will be too hard to transition into this.  Thanks for your input!  Mary 

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

If you are a great scopist and conscious about what you are doing and the product you return to your reporters, you will never be without work.  This I promise you.