HOUSTON – Are you looking for a new and exciting career?
There’s a nationwide shortage of court reporters. They’re needed now more than ever, especially in Harris County.
It’s a profession you may not have considered but one that could pay you 6-figures without a four-year degree. In some markets like Houston, there is a tremendous need for court reporters.
KPRC’s Re’Chelle Turner went to the National Court Reporters Association convention and explained everything you need to know about the profession.
“Ready? Begin. Although you probably feel like you just moved into your college dorm or apartment it’s time to move back out,” a speaker said.
In this speed test competition, listening keeps you focused but accuracy wins the game.
“Without packing up your entire life being thrown into the mix,” a speaker said.
Court reporters are responsible for recording every spoken word during court proceedings and they do it lightning-fast using a device called a Steno machine.
“So, if you look at the keyboard, there’s consonants and vowels and consonants. Probably 50% of what you say I’m taking it syllable by syllable,” Lorraine Brazil, a freelance court reporting firm owner in Texas said.
The role of a court reporter is critical during trials both criminal and civil. Right now, there is a shortage of court reporters nationwide.
Although there is no magical number of how many positions that need to be filled, organizations like the National Court Reporters’ Association want more people involved in the career.
“This is what I want to do,” Carolyn Coronado said.
Carolyn Coronado is the official court reporter for Judge Michael Englehart in the 151st Civil District Court. She’s been a court reporter for 26 years.
“Because I love the English Language, the grammar, punctuation. I was good at that in school, so I enjoyed it. I love typing and a great challenge,” she said.
Coronado always knew she wanted to be in the courtroom.
“We want to ensure that everyone, all the parties know that we are in partial, and we are here just to do our jobs. We are not for one side or the other. We are here to make sure that what happens in the courtroom is going to be documented is going to be documented correctly,” she said.
Just because you’re trained as a court reporter doesn’t mean you have to stay in the courtroom.
It’s a versatile role that includes being a freelancer, you can also work with people who are hard of hearing or work in the United States Congress.
Kathryn Thomas is a captioner.
“One of my jobs is to go to school with a student that is deaf or hard of hearing and I’m almost like their personal Captioner. I caption the class directly for them so they can participate just as fully as a hearing student. I also do stadium captioning so, if you go to a baseball game and you see that the announcements are captioned there in the stadium, I do some of that,” Thomas said.
The opportunities are endless. It typically takes 18 to 24 months to earn a certificate or degree from a court reporter program that can cost between $4,000 to $12,000 depending on the state you work in. On average, court reporters can earn more than $60,000 a year.
“The salary is very, very good. When you compare it to even some of the careers that do require a four-year degree you are making a lot of the times even more than someone that does have a four-year degree, Heather Pierce, a court reporter from Arkansas said.
“In certain markets, there is not that need but in other markets, there is a tremendous need. So, if you look at federal reporters, and state reporters that are working in the state judicial system they are dying for members. Those jobs pay six figures right out of the gate,” Dave Wehnold, Executive Director of the National Court Reporter Association said.
Another perk of the job is being able to set your own schedule or even travel for work.
If you or someone you know is interested in the career, you can attend a free online program called A to Z. The program allows you to learn the basics of steno writing to discover if a career in captioning or court reporting is the right career for you. Click here for more information.
The Association for Court Reporters and Captioners has several job openings. Find a Job | NCRA
Court reporter Carolyn Coronado also shared some helpful information about the job.
Web Sites for Court Reporting Information
Texas (JBCC) Judicial Branch Certification Commission: http://www.txcourts.gov/jbcc/court-reporters-certification.aspx
(NCRA) National Court Reporters Association: https://www.ncra.org/
(NCRA) Discover Steno (free A to Z Program information): https://www.ncra.org/discoversteno
Project Steno – free Basic Training: Getting Started - Basic Training - Project Steno
(NVRA) National Verbatim Reporters Assn.: National Verbatim Reporters Association (nvra.org)
(TCRA) Texas Court Reporters Association: http://www.tcra-online.com
(TEXDRA) Texas Deposition Reporters Association: https://texdra.org/
(HCRA) Houston Court Reporters Association: Houston Court Reporters Association
(HCOCRA) Harris County Official Court Reporters Association: www.hcocra.com
(DCRA) Dallas Court Reporters Association: https://www.dcra.com/
(BCCRA) Bexar County Court Reporters Association: https://www.bccra.org/
Speed Steno Divas speed building dictation: https://speedstenodivas.weebly.com/tonyas-corner.html
Search Facebook court reporting groups.
Stenograph: Home | Stenograph L.L.C. Advantage Software Welcome | Advantage Software (eclipsecat.com)
Court Reporter Heather Pierce works in Arkansas, but her court reporting academy trains students nationwide. The Arkansas Court Reporting Academy has a 19-week online course. They’re also offering a course for their voice-writing program. To learn more about the program, visit Arkansas Court Reporting Academy (arcracademy.com)
This isn’t the only alternative to college. There are other successful career paths that you can explore without earning a bachelor’s degree including:
- Real Estate Agent
- Carpenters
- Firefighter
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Electrician
- Occupational therapy assistant
- Web Developer
- Air Traffic Controller