To Scope or Not to that is my question...

[Amber Lyn Seals]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am a student in court reporting and will be changing programs to become a scopist.  I am wondering what some of your opinions are on such a change?  I don't want to do be a reporter because I do not prefer the machine work.  My Theory Professor thinks I should continue on to be a reporter.  She says that it is very difficult to break into scoping without experience.  I am also concerned with getting paid and if scopists have issue receiving payment from reporters.  Any info/opnions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[Delicia Struss]

I personally don't think you should become a reporter if you are not interested.  It's a very demanding job, and you really need to love all aspects of it, including the writing on the machine.  I think getting into scoping would be no different than any other job that you need to get your foot in the door.  You just really have to prove that you are good at what you do, and you also would need some training beyond reading notes.  You would have to learn the legal jargon, learn how to research things, and learn how to set up the file for court work and freelance work.  Good luck!

[Amber Lyn Seals]

Thank you for your response.  I will be getting scoping specific certificaiton when I complete my schooling.  Are you a scopist?  I am getting such mixed opninions on this that I am stumped :(

[Delicia Struss]

I'm a reporter, but I also do scoping.  Even as a reporter, it's been a little difficult getting clients because people are afraid to turn over records to a scopist when they don't know your work.  But the ones that I do have as clients tell me they're very happy with my work.  What system will you be using?

[Mary Ann Payonk]

Hi, Amber.  Follow your heart's desire is what I say.  If the machine isn't right for you, it's not right for you.  Remember, your theory professor gets paid when there are reporters continuing through the course.  Has she mentioned to you that it's difficult to break into reporting without experience?  It is.  You're concerned about getting paid and if scopists have issues receiving payments from reporters.  Have you heard that some reporters have issues receiving payments from the agencies they work for?  It's true.  They have.  Depending upon the agreement you have with the reporting agency, you may wait weeks, months, over a year to get paid - sometimes never! - because some reporting agencies pay their reporters only when they collect payment from their attorney client, and that can literally be over a year.  Some scopists are willing to wait to be paid until the reporter's paid, but my guess is they're scoping as a part-time job to their main job, or they have a spouse or partner who also works.  Someone who's dependent upon their own career to pay their own bills needs to have the good business sense to run that business is an efficient way.  Take what your professor says with a grain of salt and do what is right for you, Amber.

M.A.

[Amber Lyn Seals]

I'm afraid if I take the scoping route there just won't be enough business out there... I have a lot of thinking to do :(

[Quyen]

If you do not want to be a reporter and unless you are a true natural (very few are), it will be difficult, if not impossible, for you to complete the program and become licensed, if your state requires licensure. I don't know of any reporter who does not want to be or does not like being a reporter who has lasted/stayed in the profession very long. It is a VERY demanding job that requires working nights, weekends and holidays, with endless deadlines.

Let's just be frank:  If you don't WANT it BAD, you're wasting your time.

[Amber Lyn Seals]

Not required to be licensed but I would finish school and get my certificate in scoping.  I have already completed most of my first theory class and I write at 40 wpm and can do some at 50 but I just don't enjoy using the machine like I though I would.  I definately am not going to continue to become a reporter but thought since I have schooling done and I have a knack for proofreading (my law professor was having me proofread her lectures and tests and granted me extra credit for any found mistakes and offered to be a reference ) I would try to transfer and use the credits I already gained to continue to something related...  My concern is only in being able to find work and get paid without issue. 

[Martha R]

Remember if you are a scopist you are self-employed and there are no benefits like health insurance, 401(k), etc.   If there is some reason you need to work from home, such as young kids, I could see doing it.  But if this is your full-time job and you are young, I would rather start another career that has full benefits and potential for promotion.  Just my two cents.  

[Amber Lyn Seals]

I don't need benefits as my husband has all the benefits from his job.  I'm currently self employed so that wouldn't be an issue for me....

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

If you find good, honest reporters, you won't have a problem.  For the last ten years I've paid my scopist $25,000 a year and I write the check directly on the 1st and the 15th.  She never has to wait for a check.  I do that because then I know she will make herself available for me if she knows she never has to wait for money from me.  Her other scopist, it takes 30 days to get paid.  Money talks and it works both ways, meaning she's available for me and if she's any good, I'll call her first with my work.

There are flaky reporters out there, no doubt, but there are also a lot of honest good people in this profession.  I'd like to think most of us are worth taking a chance on. 

[Amber Lyn Seals]

Kelli,
Does it make a difference to you that a scopist be certified?  I am planning on getting my certificate and I am learning theory and using CaseCat....

Thanks!

[Martha R]

I guess a good question to ask is how much do you want to make in your career as a scopist.  I don't know what they could make.  I think one that made $25,000 was kept pretty busy.   I don't know if that's the maximum they could make or not but it's probably in that ballpark.