SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

People considering a career in reporting are most likely to succeed if they:

• Have strong English language skills.
  
  
• Are “audio” learners who quickly assimilate and process what they hear.
  
  
• Like and are comfortable with technology; realtime reporting and captioning require a high level of technical performance, and the technology is continually evolving.
  
  
• Have good manual skills on a standard keyboard, although reporters will be trained in a different system.
  
  
• Thrive under time and deadline pressures. Reporters must be able to concentrate for long periods of time.
  
  
• Have an interest in owning their own business and time. Although some court reporters work full-time for judges and court administrators, many others free-lance to attorneys.
  
  
• Broadcast captioners usually work for firms that provide assignments, but captioners often can determine their own availability. CART and Internet reporters often freelance.

Reporters, and students learning to become reporters, must be able to meet deadlines, work well under pressure and concentrate for long periods of time. The most essential skill taught to reporting students is machine shorthand. Once a student has mastered the basics of machine shorthand, he or she will concentrate on building speed and accuracy. To graduate, students typically need to perform machine shorthand at a speed of at least 225 words per minute. Many jurisdictions require reporters to pass certification examinations that test written knowledge as well as speed and accuracy.

Some of the coursework students typically study includes civil and criminal law, grammar, stenographic theory, legal and business terminology, anatomy, medical and forensic terminology, computer technology, business management and judicial procedures.

Where court reporting is taught