When and how did you discover court reporting and realize that it was the perfect fit for you?

So, as everyone probably knows, I was injured in a car accident at 16.  By 18, I was unsure of what to do with my life, so my mother suggested I sign up to learn court reporting.  In the early 2000s, Midlands Technical College was still offering courses, so I bought a student machine and the learning materials and enrolled.  On the first day of classes, I fell in love with all things stenography, and my passion for it has only continued to grow over the years.

What is your favorite thing about being a court reporter?

I love that I know a "secret" language that only a small percentage of people know and understand.  I love how I can understand and keep up with the testimony, even when speakers talk a mile a minute, sometimes with accents or while mumbling.  This skill gives me great pride, and I love learning how to improve it.

What is a unique skill you've employed while on the job that makes you extra good at it?

A unique skill that I have developed over the recent years is the ability to brief on the fly.  I spent many years writing out everything, even uncommon proper nouns or unfamiliar terms that would only be heard in that one deposition.  Now, I throw an asterisk in an outline that makes sense to me and global it during a break or while editing.  This saves significant time on scoping and results in more accurate transcripts.

What is your 'secret weapon'?

My secret weapon, I would say, is my passion for this career.  I don't view this skill, our profession, as just a job.  It is a refined skill that only the dedicated achieve.  The knowledge that I have put in the years of hard work, sweat, and tears to call myself a court reporter gives me the confidence to show up and know that I can do a great job, no matter what is thrown at me.

Tell us about your favorite self-care practice.

My favorite self-care practice is taking the time I need to spend with family and loved ones.  This career can be very challenging and demanding.  However, it also offers flexible hours. The ability to work at night, on weekends, or on my days off frees up the time I want to spend with my family because I can make my own schedule to meet deadlines.  

What is a misconception about court reporting that you'd like to set the record straight on?

I believe most people, court reporters and other professionals even, are afraid that Artificial Intelligence will take over their jobs.  While that may be the case one day, I believe I will be long gone before that day arrives for us.  It is my belief that no technology at this time can be a replacement for an experienced, skilled court reporter, a live body in the seat to stop people from speaking over each other or to ask for clarification when something cannot be understood.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received from another reporter?

Don't let this job consume you.  We all love court reporting, the skill, the pay, the knowledge.  But burnout is real, so take the time you need to be human and relax sometimes.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself when you were just starting out?

I would tell myself: "You can do this."  There was many a time when I doubted my ability to achieve the speeds required for graduation.  Even after being a professional court reporter, I was not as prepared for the real world of reporting as I thought I was.  I questioned my value and qualifications to be a reporter more than once.  But I located my weaknesses, worked on improving my skills, and kept going.  Had I given up on any one of those hundred times I questioned myself, I wouldn't be where I am today.

We want to hear one of your court reporting stories! Tell us about one of the proudest or most memorable moments in your career thus far.

One of the proudest moments in my court reporting career is when I am able to confidently read back testimony or produce a rough draft when they didn't request one beforehand.  Being able to write cleanly and keep up with the testimony has given me the ability to say "yes, I can" on those more challenging days.

Is there anything specific you are currently working on to hone and improve your skills?

Although I have not done it yet, I wanted to take a realtime advancement course.  There are courses offered where you work one-on-one with a skilled realtime reporter who analyzes and critiques your writing to help you obtain your goals.  It is on my wish list of things to accomplish on this awesome journey to become the best court reporter I can be.