Interested in the Court Reporting field...any suggestions? - CSRNation2024-03-29T09:48:32Zhttp://csrnation.ning.com/forum/topics/interested-in-the-court-reporting-field-any-suggestions?commentId=1736041%3AComment%3A1191678&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHi, April.
I highly recommend…tag:csrnation.ning.com,2011-09-19:1736041:Comment:11969422011-09-19T07:11:29.954ZGlen Warnerhttp://csrnation.ning.com/profile/GlenWarner
<p>Hi, April.</p>
<p>I highly recommend the school I am attending: <a href="http://www.ccr.edu" target="_blank">The College of Court Reporting</a>.</p>
<p>The next semester starts in October, and if you contact them, they will let you "test drive" the school so you can get used to their online content management system.</p>
<p>They teach their own theory, which the founder of the school invented. It's called The Moody Method. They only recently went "live" with the theory, having switched…</p>
<p>Hi, April.</p>
<p>I highly recommend the school I am attending: <a href="http://www.ccr.edu" target="_blank">The College of Court Reporting</a>.</p>
<p>The next semester starts in October, and if you contact them, they will let you "test drive" the school so you can get used to their online content management system.</p>
<p>They teach their own theory, which the founder of the school invented. It's called The Moody Method. They only recently went "live" with the theory, having switched from Phoenix (which is what I learned (*mumble-mumble*) years ago.</p>
<p>In talking with the school's president, he told me that when the theory students come out of theory and into speedbuilding, they are writing at 100 wpm -- which is unusual. My original school had us test at 50 wpm, and that was a struggle for most of us, so writing at 100 wpm right out of the box is really good.</p>
<p>Once you are out of theory, you will be in what is called "speedbuilding," where you basically are trying to pass speed tests.</p>
<p>At my (most recent) previous school, I would take a test, submit it (assuming the content management platform didn't crash in the process), and not hear how I did on the test for (literally!) a whole MONTH.</p>
<p>At CCR, I write the test, transcribe it from my paper notes into a text document, copy and paste that into a window in their content management platform, click a button or two, and in *minutes* it gives me a preliminary grade, with a final grade to follow within a couple of days ... and that is accompanied by a recorded message from my instructor with recommendations on what to do to improve my score, or (in the event I get it 100% correct) a lengthy "Way to go!" message.</p>
<p>My other school would stop grading the tests once it was clear you weren't going to pass ... and there was NO FEEDBACK AT ALL.</p>
<p>Another difference on the speedbuilding side is you test in increments. At most CR schools, you take a couple of five minute tests.</p>
<p>At CCR, you take what they call SEs ("Self Evaluation"), which are basically pre-tests. These are available in one, two, three, four, and five-minute increments. Once you pass, say, the first one minute SE, you are immediately eligible to take a one minute SAP (sorry, I forget what that stands for). This is the one that counts ... BUT in order to move up in speed, you have to pass all five of the SEs and the SAPs ... or you can do what I had to do for the midterm tests: Just take a five minute test in one of the live classes.</p>
<p>I had been sick for most of the first month and nearly half of the second, and had *finally* gotten better ... just in time for mid-terms. Passed all three of those tests with decent scores.</p>
<p>Well. I've prattled on long enough! Good luck in school!<br/><br/>Oh, and while it is true that Florida doesn't require certification, you should follow Mary Cochran's example and get it anyway! The surrounding states *do* require certification to work, and if things get too tight there in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, or even South Carolina might be able to use your services from time to time.<br/><br/>Hope that helps!</p> Okay I spoke to a court repor…tag:csrnation.ning.com,2011-09-10:1736041:Comment:11938602011-09-10T02:46:13.719ZApril Keyhttp://csrnation.ning.com/profile/AprilKey
<p>Okay I spoke to a court reporter that I have used off and on for the last couple of years. She was very helpful and even offered to answer any questions that I may have in the future. She said that business is a little slow, but not too bad and nothing that she can see lasting for any length of time. She couldn't help me with school because she went to school up north several years ago, but said that she has a friend that is taking classes online from a school in Georgia. I have…</p>
<p>Okay I spoke to a court reporter that I have used off and on for the last couple of years. She was very helpful and even offered to answer any questions that I may have in the future. She said that business is a little slow, but not too bad and nothing that she can see lasting for any length of time. She couldn't help me with school because she went to school up north several years ago, but said that she has a friend that is taking classes online from a school in Georgia. I have contacted two school in Florida to request information on signing up and so far have not received a response. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have been praying for some direction and I definitely think that this is the right path for me. I really appreciate all of the advice that you ladies have given me and I will continue to work towards my goal.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Have a blessed night :)</p> Check out this link:
http:/…tag:csrnation.ning.com,2011-09-05:1736041:Comment:11929452011-09-05T19:15:12.241ZKelly Lee Polvi, CSR, RDR, FCRRhttp://csrnation.ning.com/profile/KellyLeePolvi
<p>Check out this link:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://ncraonline.org/Careers/Schools/Certified/default.htm">http://ncraonline.org/Careers/Schools/Certified/default.htm</a></p>
<p>Check out this link:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://ncraonline.org/Careers/Schools/Certified/default.htm">http://ncraonline.org/Careers/Schools/Certified/default.htm</a></p> Have you checked out the comm…tag:csrnation.ning.com,2011-09-05:1736041:Comment:11930412011-09-05T19:11:03.639ZKelly Lee Polvi, CSR, RDR, FCRRhttp://csrnation.ning.com/profile/KellyLeePolvi
Have you checked out the community colleges? I would still encourage you to contact a reputable local reporting firm and ask them if they know what training is available in your area or if they can ask their reporters for some ideas.
Have you checked out the community colleges? I would still encourage you to contact a reputable local reporting firm and ask them if they know what training is available in your area or if they can ask their reporters for some ideas. Erwin Votec still has the pic…tag:csrnation.ning.com,2011-09-05:1736041:Comment:11928412011-09-05T16:03:42.025ZMary Jo Cochranhttp://csrnation.ning.com/profile/MaryJoCochran
<p>Erwin Votec still has the picture of the court reporting student on their main page, and the info abount special requirements. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Since you have been a legal assistant for so many years, you definitely qualify for an online program.</p>
<p>You have all the background for the legal field (more than most court reporters). Take a medical terminology class at HCC.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You can start out by yourself RIGHT NOW by buying a Stentura 400. Buy a Phoenix Theory…</p>
<p>Erwin Votec still has the picture of the court reporting student on their main page, and the info abount special requirements. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Since you have been a legal assistant for so many years, you definitely qualify for an online program.</p>
<p>You have all the background for the legal field (more than most court reporters). Take a medical terminology class at HCC.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You can start out by yourself RIGHT NOW by buying a Stentura 400. Buy a Phoenix Theory Book.</p>
<p>I don't know enough about any online programs to give info on that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> Yes, it is very accepted to g…tag:csrnation.ning.com,2011-09-05:1736041:Comment:11926422011-09-05T04:19:34.518ZJaniece Younghttp://csrnation.ning.com/profile/JanieceYYoung
Yes, it is very accepted to go online these days. My scopist who lives in Wichita is going to school online and she is like you she has 3 or 4 children. She is 30-40 minutes from an a bricks and mortar school but that would take an hour out of her day to commute that she could use to practice. She likes it.
Yes, it is very accepted to go online these days. My scopist who lives in Wichita is going to school online and she is like you she has 3 or 4 children. She is 30-40 minutes from an a bricks and mortar school but that would take an hour out of her day to commute that she could use to practice. She likes it. I did just look into some onl…tag:csrnation.ning.com,2011-09-05:1736041:Comment:11926412011-09-05T04:15:35.440ZApril Keyhttp://csrnation.ning.com/profile/AprilKey
I did just look into some online programs that are on the NCRA list for Florida, but honestly I was just worried about doing it online. I would prefer online classes because I have four girls and work so I think it would be a huge convenience, but I just worried if it was possible to learn court reporting that way.
I did just look into some online programs that are on the NCRA list for Florida, but honestly I was just worried about doing it online. I would prefer online classes because I have four girls and work so I think it would be a huge convenience, but I just worried if it was possible to learn court reporting that way. Have you checked into online…tag:csrnation.ning.com,2011-09-05:1736041:Comment:11925482011-09-05T04:07:25.648ZJaniece Younghttp://csrnation.ning.com/profile/JanieceYYoung
Have you checked into online programs? That is a real trend these days.
Have you checked into online programs? That is a real trend these days. Thank you so much for all of…tag:csrnation.ning.com,2011-09-05:1736041:Comment:11923682011-09-05T02:42:55.851ZApril Keyhttp://csrnation.ning.com/profile/AprilKey
<p>Thank you so much for all of your wonderful advice. I am little confused on what I should do now. I contacted Erwin Techincal Center to find out about their court reporting program, and found out that they no longer offer it. I did find a accrediated college--Key College and they offer Real Time reporting, but they are a long way from my home. I'm really not sure what to do now.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all of your wonderful advice. I am little confused on what I should do now. I contacted Erwin Techincal Center to find out about their court reporting program, and found out that they no longer offer it. I did find a accrediated college--Key College and they offer Real Time reporting, but they are a long way from my home. I'm really not sure what to do now.</p> It seems like Florida is one…tag:csrnation.ning.com,2011-09-04:1736041:Comment:11920352011-09-04T22:34:04.007ZKelly Lee Polvi, CSR, RDR, FCRRhttp://csrnation.ning.com/profile/KellyLeePolvi
<p>It seems like Florida is one of the places where reporters are having a hard time getting work. You might need to be willing to relocate after your training. North Florida might be better than south. I'm not sure about Tampa. You should contact some court reporting firms in your area and ask them what they would require as far as certifications, how business is going, and if they recommend any particular schools. Tell them that you're just thinking about starting the program and it…</p>
<p>It seems like Florida is one of the places where reporters are having a hard time getting work. You might need to be willing to relocate after your training. North Florida might be better than south. I'm not sure about Tampa. You should contact some court reporting firms in your area and ask them what they would require as far as certifications, how business is going, and if they recommend any particular schools. Tell them that you're just thinking about starting the program and it will be at least a couple of years. Do they see their business going strong in the next few years? Ask them if you can contact them after you reach your 200s so that you could possibly sit in with some of their seasoned reporters. Ask them what kind of software they use. (CaseCatalyst, Eclipse, etc.) If most of the firms in your area use one brand, that's what you should go with. (Although it doesn't matter as much as it used to.) Tell them about your paralegal experience, because it really will be an advantage to you and shows that you're already interested in the legal field.<br/><br/>If they aren't helpful and agreeable, then business is probably tough and they won't want any new reporters in the area. In that case, think about contacting firms in areas that you might be willing to relocate to. The NCRA directory has a professional services locator. It lists all the members for each state. You can check out the firm's principals and see if they are RPRs -- Registered Professional Reporters, RMRs -- Registered Merit Reporters, CRRs -- Certified Realtime Reporters, or even better, RDRs -- Registered Diplomat Reporters, who are really the big-wigs. These are the type of people you should work for because they are interested in advancing the profession.<br/><br/></p>
<p>The court listings I've seen have required an accredited school and one year of reporting experience. As an old dog like myself, I don't think my school is even in existence, so I doubt it's going to matter on my applications. Who cares what school I went to if I'm now an RMR? But it's definitely all about having the CRR -- or being very close to getting it -- for the better court jobs.<br/><br/>There are some state courts that are advertising an hourly rate that's about half what other courts are listing. They may not be in the best locations but would probably take newer reporters and it would still be a good, solid job. <br/><br/>I billed out almost $100k last year, and that was paying 25 to 50 percent commission to firms. But I've had 27 years' experience and had some pretty good multi-copy jobs. With insurance costs, no dental, no vision, no sick leave, no vacation leave, no pension, and a disabled husband, it's still a struggle to get by in this economy. Add to that the extremely expensive certifications, professional memberships, training, equipment and support contracts that come around every year. I made the mistake of thinking that if I bought everything that came along, took every test and went to every seminar, it would make the real-time process go faster. I could have spent more time cleaning up my dictionary and using the free training that came with my software and saved a lot of money. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Companies like Eclipse and Stenograph have done a fantastic job of keeping this profession state of the art. I believe there will always be work for exceptionally-talented people in this industry. Those who take too long to jump on the real-time bandwagon are going to be left behind and have trouble getting work, because if you're an older reporter, it really is a huge learning curve.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you decide to start school, once you feel like it's something you're going to be able to complete, join your local reporting association at the student rate so that you can find someone to mentor you. Don't make the mistake I did of not attending seminars for 25 years just because the CA CSR didn't require continuing ed. It's a great networking opportunity and really keeps you up on the latest happenings in the industry. (Plus it helps you brush up on your punctuation -- which can evolve into a kind of weird form after too many years -- haha.)</p>
<p>Good luck to you!</p>