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How old are most of us when we started school for court reporting? Touchy subject, I know. :)

I'm just curious about how old most of us court reporting students are. I know I'm starting out later in life than I would have liked. I'm 39. Two marriages and one divorce and raising two kids postponed what I feel I should have started at a younger age. And also, do you think your age is a help or a hindrance?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lamb Lamb on July 16, 2009 at 5:25

I am 35. I think that starting at my current age is a big help to me. When I was in college when I was younger I was dedicated and graduated, but not focused like I am now. I know what I want now and there are no doubts. I went to school previously and was able to earn my A.S. degree and my Paralegal degree but I never pursued it. I am currently in accounting but my goal is to get into Broadcast Captioning. I don't recall ever wanting something so much, like I do this. I also think that now that my son is a teenager it's a lot easier than trying to do this with small children. Hope that helps! Have a great day! :)

Permalink Reply by Adrienne Avery on July 16, 2009 at 7:55

I just syarted couirt reporting school one week ago. I love it and I am 23 years of age.

Permalink Reply by Adrienne Avery on July 16, 2009 at 7:58

Please excuse my typos. I apologize.

Permalink Reply by Adrienne Avery on July 16, 2009 at 8:03

I don't think my age is important at all. It is my frame of mind. I am just glad I don't have any real obstacles that can hold me back. I live at home. No husband, children' or real financial responsibilities. Just a full time job that I hate!

Permalink Reply by Rebecca Rutledge on July 29, 2009 at 12:18

If you don't mind, Monica, could you tell me a little more about the "roller coasters" and challenges of court reporting school? I'm not asking to be discouraged, but would like to know what I'm getting in to, and what I should prepare myself for. I'm just getting started. Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Jackie on July 18, 2009 at 20:34

I started at 21 and will finish at 23. I've been married 4 years (no kids yet) and work full-time. I've played the piano for 15 years. I think that my background in piano has helped. I think my age has helped in some aspects, but has also been a hindrance in some ways, too. I worry people won't take me seriously when I get out there. I had a much harder time with the WKT than my classmates because they have much more life experience than me and just already knew things that they didn't have to study up on. I think in the long run, though, how fast you get through CR school isn't about age - it is about dedication and how hard you practice.

Permalink Reply by C Cipolla on July 18, 2009 at 22:00

Hi Kim,

I'm about your age. I started three years ago, and feel that natural gifting (the way you're wired), life experiences, and circumstances affect the schooling progress more than age. The combination of these makes for advantages and disadvantages which are generally associated with certain age groups, though not necessarily. To be more precise:

Advantages:

Abundance of practice time (generally associated with being young, without children, living at home ...)

Finger dexterity (characteristic of those with a bkgd in instrumental music, esp piano)

Ability to "trail" a speaker (a skill that bilingual translators train for)

Introverted internal wiring (allows for extended periods of time working alone not to drive you crazy)

Good Memory (any previous training in memorization helps; sometimes associated with young people, but I tend to think this is true only because of the extensive hours they spend practicing memorization in school, while older adults spend more time producing goods for society based on skills already learned in the past...)

Physical stamina (generally associated with younger people, although keeping physically fit isn't exclusive to the young...)

Strong motivation to focus on CR schooling (generally associated with financial pressures characteristic of being older and anticipating retirement or elder care & college expenses)

Maturity and perspective (characteristic of older adults -- useful when dealing with issues on the job involving "saying no", speaking up for yourself, etc...)

Life is all about trade-offs... When I went to my high school reunion, lots of alumni were quite career-successful, had kids, houses, etc... By comparison, I'd traveled a lot, lived my dreams, and had a fun-filled young adulthood. The night before, I was feeling anxious at meeting all these "successful" people for the first time after so many years. I asked my buddy, "What should I wear?" After some discussion, she said? "Don't worry. Have you considered they might envy you?" Hmm... she had a point.. perhaps envy the freedom and fun, but not the financial state! But, then again, it's that same financial state that gives me strong incentive to practice and advance in school! so, all's not bad one way or the other.

Hope that helps.

carilyn

Permalink Reply by Kim on July 19, 2009 at 18:55

Thanks for everyone's input! Personally, I don't think it is a detriment to be a bit on the older side myself. I think one of my concerns is that I don't be discriminated on by employers because of my age, since I will be in my 40's by the time I graduate.

Permalink Reply by Rebecca Rutledge on July 29, 2009 at 12:15

I'm 39, too, and have just started school to learn to be a court reporter. I think my age is a huge help, because I know exactly what I want. My priorities are in much better order than they were ten years ago. Also, I've had time to learn what I don't want out of a career - stuff I had to learn through experience. I couldn't be more enthusiastic about this. Best of luck to you!

Rebecca

p.s. Also, we're learning something akin to a new language - studies have indicated that doing this adds years to one's life. Like learning a musical instrument, it does cool stuff to the brain. :)

Permalink Reply by Linda Schumann on July 29, 2009 at 13:20

Started at age 55

Permalink Reply by Debbie Hayes on August 3, 2009 at 13:48

Hi all! I was around 31 when I started school and am now 36 and still not out of school! It has been a very long road for me, but I will get there!!!

Deb

Permalink Reply by Teresa Russ on August 7, 2009 at 9:54

I love this question. I used to hate it when someone asked me this when I was younger. I'm 48. I was just a "pup" when I started around 25. Catch your breath.

I quit 4 times due to the challenges of life -- death, surgeries, work -- just life in and of itself.

I returned for the 4th time when I was in my mid 40's. I cannot believe that I hung in all this time. I think I win hands down for the time someone has been trying to pursue this career. I worked on a job for 17 years that I absolutely hated. To make a very long story short, my age and experience has made me a stronger person. If my classmates read this, I think they will agree that my perseverance is encouraging. Therefore, I believe I am where God wants me to be.

You never know how strong you really are until you are faced with life challenges. When my mother and brother both died of cancer and, as a matter of fact, they were diagnosed the same week, I thought life was over.

I later returned to CRing school and just recently took the June CSR Exam. There will always be challenges to face. I will be taking it for the 4th time in October. I have more to share, but I just want to say never, absolutely never, give up on your dreams.
I know one day I am going to open up that letter, and it will say “Congratulations. You have passed the California Court Reporters State Exam.” Oh, what a wonderful day that will be.
Thanks for listening.