Huge learning curve

[Kyung]

There is always news thing you can learn in this profession, whether you want to or not.

There is a huge learning curve for me right now going into the courts. And I despair of ever getting better. It's like starting all over again from my first year out as a reporter. It's learning about new formats, new parentheticals, new forms, new administrative details. So much to learn and so little time. I really don't know how full-time officials make it their first year. I only work in court a couple of days a month, but the administrative details consume hours of my time.

Then there is the whole transcript production thing. The format is very different from the freelance world. The hard part is that there is no "format guideline" set in stone. Overall, the basics are sort of familiar, but every reporter has tweaked it just slightly enough that it is very, very confusing. You would think being the Federal court that they would hand down a "This is the guidelines." But no.

I look at my court transcripts and they are just so much crappier than my depo transcript, just in every way possible. Lots of new briefs to learn, new terminology.

So why do I keep butting my head against the wall? Like I said, it's just like the first year out being a new reporter. And I know it will get better. Thank goodness I have the luxury of not being in court everyday and can take my time learning new stuff and have the time to ask other reporters the answers to questions that just simply baffle me no end.

Some day I know that I will get to the point where I can blithely send my court transcripts off to the scopist. I remember I did not even get a scopist until my third year as a court reporter. Hopefully, after a year or so, my dictionary will be up to shape and things will get easier.

[Judy]

And, sorry, Kyung, but Tami does have a point. Court is not meant for every reporter. If it's that rough for you, then maybe you should hang it up until... well, whatever. Maybe practice, practice, practice, get your speed up, shorten up your strokes, clean up your writing. Isn't your well-being more important than continuing to butt your head against the wall? Just trying to be supportive over here, you know. Look at Cassandra. She's exhausted, but it doesn't sound like she's butting her head against the wall. Sounds like Cassandra has a ton of support from the whole gang where she went to work. If you're not finding that's the case where you are, maybe it's time to leave??

[Judy]

Hey, we can't edit out comments anymore!!!

Sorry, Cassandra, I really don't mean this to be the least bit offensive, but coming from you, that's pretty dang funny. And please don't take offense at it. I do hope you can see the humor in your comment.

[Kyung]

You're absolutely right. I should never have become a court reporter in the first place. In light of your probing and astute question, I have decided to give up being a court reporter. It will save me a lot of stress in the long run.

[Tami]

Ever thought you might be rushing into court too soon, Kyung??

It really isn't for everybody.