How do I get started as a Scopist

[nayleenie]

I am a Court Reporting/Captioning student and would like to know what is needed to become a Scopist and Proofreader. With all the classes I have taken come to find out that I now have a Scopist and Proofreader certificate and not sure what to do with it.

[Glen Warner]

Hi, Nayleenie.

Seems like your school left out a few details ...!

Ultimately, to be a proofreader, you might try approaching a few agencies in your area and ask if they have any proofing work you can do.  Be prepared to take a test -- that is, they will most likely give you a document that needs to be proofed.  They'll expect you to be familiar with standard proofreading marks, "One Word, Two Word, Hypenated," "Lillian Morson's English Guide for Court Reporters," and possibly Ms. Wakeman-Wells new one.

For scoping, you will need to have a copy of the scopist's version of your CAT of choice, and be adept at using it -- from basic editing to dictionary entries to automatic indexing.

Finding work would be the same as with proofing:  Approach a few agencies in the area and see if anyone needs the help.  Remember -- you should not scope with your student software (that whole 50 page limit thing).

There's probably more, but these will give you someplace to start.

Good luck!

[nayleenie]

Thanks Glen

[Devon Roberts]

Hi Nayleeenie,

 

I've worked with several former court reporting students that were in your shoes.  Feel free to check into the various training programs that Scoping Made Affordable (SMA) offers through www.joyfulscoping.com.  One court reporting student who is completing the last of her speed tests utilized the SMA training to help her accomplish those goals also.

 

SMA is the only scoping training program that has an internship of practicing through transcripts and receiving both guidance and feedback regarding your scoping work.  It also has 30 classes in a virtual classroom that are recorded.  The students love the classes.

 

Feel free to contact me through [e-mail].

I'll be more than happy to provide you with the information.

 

Thanks,

Ms. Devon Roberts
www.joyfulscoping.com
Joyful Leads - job leads for scopists

[e-mail]