IS STENOGRAPHY THE RIGHT CAREER FOR YOU?

1. What is your job style?

Most qualified stenographic reporters work as an independent contractor, making a great living as a freelancer paid on reporting assignments convenient to their schedule. An independent contractor is a self-employed businessperson. This means you are responsible for items like your own benefits, office space, equipment, and work schedule.  Some work as official reporters in a courthouse, provide closed captioning from home, in classrooms or large venues, work in government settings, and even Capitol Hill.

2. As a stenographic reporter, would you be available to work at least 16-20 hours per week, during regular business hours, and in 2 to 8-hour increments? Depending on the type of reporter you want to be and how much money you want to make, some reporters work 40 to 50+ hours per week when covering long assignments with a quick turnaround of transcripts required, and that's where the big money lies. 

Stenographers are in high demand and should commit to working a minimum of 16-20 hours each week. Of course, you also have the opportunity to work more and make more money.

3. Do you have the flexibility and patience to accommodate the sometimes-unforeseen needs of clients as they change on the job?

Unforeseen events can sometimes happen while on a job requiring stenographic reporters to make changes to their plans due to an assignment going longer than anticipated, sometimes into the night, requiring quick turnaround of transcripts, while remaining calm and professional the whole time.  These unforeseen events do provide for a significant increase in earnings.

4. Do you have an interest in the legal field?

While a stenographer is not a lawyer, you will be involved in legal proceedings. You will see justice unfold right in front of you and hear many different case details.

Okay, so we know these aren’t the most inspiring questions, but we have to ask some of the basics:

5. Have you earned a high school diploma or GED?

6. Are you fit enough to lift or move 20 pounds? 

A stenographic reporter brings to every assignment equipment minimally consisting of their stenotype machine with a stand, at least one laptop, and the necessary cables and power cords to each assignment.

7. Are you willing to attend class two hours per night, two days per week, and devote the necessary time outside of class to practice if you want to complete the entire program in two years?

Completion of the entire program takes two to three+ years with two being the goal.  Students who finish in two years or less are those who practice several hours per day or sign up for My Realtime Coach.  Upon successful completion of the program, a qualified stenographer will have the opportunity to work as an independent contract freelance reporter, an official reporter in a courthouse, provide closed captioning, work in government settings and even Capitol Hill.

8. Do you speak, read and write English fluently?

9. Are you willing to become a “Notary Public” in order to be a stenographic reporter?

Stenographers must be a Notary Public. A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by state government to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of acts related to the signing of important documents, attesting to a person's identity, and administering the oath to individuals before they testify in depositions, hearings and examinations under oath. Most state Notary Public licenses require you to pass a notary examination, complete a background check, and have US residency/US citizenship.

10. Do you have reliable transportation to get from location to location, and do you enjoy the adventure of being somewhere new each day?

As a stenographic reporter, you could be assigned to a different legal proceeding each day requiring you to travel from location to location, law office to law office. One day it could be a local cruise ship, the next day a law firm. Every day is different, including the hours.

11. Do you have a PC laptop?

One of the core pieces of equipment for a stenographer is a laptop. This runs the necessary software to translate your stenotype notes into English, edit your transcripts, as well as process audio recordings.

12. Are you willing to invest in additional equipment for your career?

Stenographic reporters require specific equipment to capture and create the verbatim transcript.  Besides a stenotype machine that students must have to begin the program, with manufacturers offering numerous options to rent, purchase or lease-to-own, stenographers will eventually need to purchase software used for translation and editing, your own laptop, necessary cables, cords and a remote microphone.

13. Are you proficient with technology?

As we all know, technology can be finicky, so stenographic reporters must be proficient with technology (or at least be willing to troubleshoot tech issues with some remote guidance) to ensure everything runs smoothly.

14. Can you handle strict procedure, protocol, and form, the kind that you might see in a courthouse dialogue?

A strong stenographer will be a stickler for details and enjoy following specific instructions and procedures.

15. Are you a fast and accurate typist?

Stenographic reporters also spend a lot of time on computer keyboards editing transcripts.

16. Are you familiar with internet searching like Google for spellings, correct grammar usage and miscellaneous information?

Stenographic reporters are constantly exposed to new and different topics, many of which they have no prior knowledge of, if they even knew they existed.  Prior to the internet they had to have at their fingertips medical, legal and English dictionaries, references books, thesauruses, local, state and world atlases and more in order to produce an accurate transcript.  The internet has cleared off those tables and now put all the information at your fingertips on the laptop you edit transcripts with.

17. Are you professional, punctual and presentable?

As part of a legal proceeding, a stenographer must act professionally. This includes wearing professional attire, being 100% prepared, setting up on time and exuding a peaceful, welcoming and pleasant demeanor.

18. Do you have the confidence to moderate a legal proceeding and swear in a witness, yet also enjoy listening for long periods of time?

As an officiant, there are times a stenographic reporter must command the room and ensure the legal proceeding stays on track, while there are other times the reporter must be a silent partner capturing the record.

19. How ethical are you?

As part of the justice system, all court reporters are officers of the court and, as such, must have a high value of ethics, including but not limited to, maintaining impartiality and neutrality, safeguarding the record and respecting off-the-record statements.

20. Do you have the ability to act and react with composure under pressure?

Much like courtroom scenes on TV, legal proceedings can be tense, high-pressure situations and a stenographic reporter must remain a neutral, composed party throughout.

21. Do you have a strong sense of discretion?

Many legal cases contain confidential information. It is imperative that a stenographer maintains the highest level of prudence, discretion and objectivity when dealing with that information.

22. Do you prefer an on-call work schedule where job assignments are provided to you the evening before, but you make the final decision on accepting the jobs you desire?

Stenographic reporters are usually assigned to their proceedings the day prior, so you may not know your schedule for the next day until the afternoon before. You will have the flexibility to accept assignments that work with your schedule.

23. Do you like the idea of working in a different location each day?

Most legal proceedings are held in law firms, and those locations can vary by case. As a stenographer, you may find yourself going someplace different every day.

24. Does working with lawyers interest you?

Legal Proceedings obviously involve lawyers. As a participant in the legal process, a stenographic reporter must be comfortable interacting with attorneys and legal professionals of all types.