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Any Advice for a Newbie?

My last day at my current job is today. It is a little scary -- I have been here for almost 3.5 years and am familiar with my surroundings here. They have been so supportive of me throughout my schooling and were incredibly accommodating when I did my internship. I have been lucky to work here with the people I have been associated with.

However, I am SO EXCITED to dive into this crazy world of being a working court reporter! I have a fabulous agency that I interned with that is helping me get started and are sending me out next week! Luckily, I have had over 70 hours of interning to get my feet wet with and I am ready for some jobs of my own. At this point I am more nervous about putting together the transcript than I am actually going to the job and writing. I'm sure that will change, though, once I actually get an assigned job!

I have my professional software, notary, laptop, machine, paper, and all the extras that I need to bring with me. I am prepared with all the "stuff" I have to take to the job. I even know the oath already! :) I know that all of you remember your first job...does anyone have any advice on what I should be prepared for when I get to the job, or any tips that you wouldn't learn from school? I plan on being there a half hour early, and I have my business cards ready to hand out. I will be dressed professionally and polite. Just writing all this out is making me nervous!

Thanks for your help in advance!

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Comment by Glen Warner on September 15, 2009 at 18:59: Veronica --

The arm-soaking suggestion came from an official with 20-plus years of experience. I haven't had to implement that procedure as yet, but I don't hesitate to pass it along to anyone not using a Gemini!

--gdw
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"For a Good (steno) Time ...."
http://www.cheapandsleazy.net

Comment by Veronica Kubat on September 15, 2009 at 5:33: Glen, now, see? If you had a Gemini, you would never have to soak your elbows!

Veronica

Comment by Jackie on September 14, 2009 at 13:57: Thanks for the great advice, everyone! I am hoping to go out tomorrow -- I'll keep everyone posted!

Comment by Veronica Kubat on September 14, 2009 at 6:21: The snack is an excellent idea (a banana is a good choice). On my, like, third depo (doctor's depo with three attorneys) I turned pale and started sweating and had to leave the room and go to my car to eat my banana. My blood sugar dropped so low, I almost passed out.

When I came back, the attorneys and the doctor were trying to get me to eat candy so I wouldn't pass out. It was awful!

V.

Comment by Glen Warner on September 13, 2009 at 21:56: Jackie --

Congratulations!

If you haven't already, I strongly recommend joining and perusing the archives over at the Depoman forum. While you have received a lot of excellent advice here, there is a lot of good stuff in those archives that will help you with pretty much any situation you may run into out there in the real world.

My little tidbit for your first day: Charge both your laptop and your writer the night before!

My ProCAT Flash takes 15 hours to charge, and it tells me when it's time to recharge it ... but in order to avoid running into the effects of "The Law of Perversity" (which you probably know as "Murphy's Law"), just charge it the day before, and tell that Murphy guy to get lost! :o)

I met a new reporter a few years back who told me she had billed out $100,000 in her first year. She did that by doing deps four days a week, giving them to her mother (retired English professor) to proof, and producing the ordered transcripts on the weekend.

And, speaking of bills, you're probably going to get stiffed sometime in the future. When it happens (better yet, before it happens), read this blog.

Finally, I would like to pass on a tip from an official for the past 20-plus years:

At the end of the week, soak both arms, from elbow to wrist (probably wouldn't hurt to put the fingers in as well), in a tub of ice water for an hour. Sure, it'll be a wee bit uncomfortable, but it should keep you in the business for at least 20 years ... worth a bit of discomfort, wouldn't you say?

Good luck ... you've earned this. Go get 'em!

--gdw
-------------------------
"For a Good (steno) Time ....."
http://www.cheapandsleazy.net

Comment by Lamb Lamb on September 13, 2009 at 10:57: You can do it! I can't wait to hear how it all turns out!

Comment by Carre on September 11, 2009 at 10:09: Congratulations! I recommend finding a mentor and a proofreader. Those are the two things I wish I had done when I started 15 years ago. Oh, and buy yourself two power cords for your laptop. Keep one at your desk and one in your bag :) We'd like to hear all about your first depo. Keep us posted!