Cool Careers - Court Reporter

Interview with Teresa Forbes: Court Reporter, ASAP Reporting Services Inc., Canada-wide

"You could be covering the evidence of a neurosurgeon, or a cardiologist one day, and the next a nuclear physicist's, or engineer's or mathematician's.... the list goes on. It is very challenging."

1. How would you describe what you do.

I use the latest technology available in the court reporting field in order to produce in “realtime” voice to written text for lawyers and/or lay people to follow the testimony as it is being heard.

2. How did you get started?

After completion of high school, I worked in many different capacities in the private sector, but found, after a short period of time at any one business, I would get “bored” once I knew the business, and was always feeling that I lacked being challenged. I was always seeking to learn something new.

3. What do you like and dislike about what you do?

This is the same answer, but in two different ways. I love that each day is different. We never know what our day will encompass; and yet, by the same token, when you expect your day to unfold in a certain way, you can be guaranteed that it will change completely - and this can also be a frustration.

4. How do you make money/or how are you compensated?

I am compensated per page of work that I produce, as well as an attendance fee. So for instance, if I was on a lengthy case, and had a very full day with two hundred pages, this would then be produced in transcript format, and for that we charge per page. An attendance fee is also charged for appearing to cover the case.

5. What education or skills are needed to do this?

  At a minimum, a high school education is required. Many court reporters are now completing university and then going through for court reporting, or going into the court reporting field as a second career. We find that many of the younger students, who have been raised in the computer environment with excellent keyboard skills, learn a lot quicker; as well, people with musical backgrounds seem to grasp the techniques and can pick up the new language of court reporting a lot quicker than others.

6. What is most challenging about what you do?

People never seem to speak slower. We have to maintain a high speed in order to capture the spoken word in realtime. I was at a convention the other day, and a number of the reporters were complaining that the average lawyer is speaking far quicker than they ever have! As well, we are exposed to many different fields when involved in litigation. You could be covering the evidence of a neurosurgeon, or a cardiologist one day, and the next a nuclear physicist, or engineering or mathematicians.... the list goes on. It is very challenging. We usually have to study the material we are going to be reporting in order that we are familiar with the terminology.

7. What is most rewarding?

Knowing that you have done a good job. Clients appreciating the speed with which we can produce the record and make their job easier so that they can prepare their cases and assist their clients in an expedited fashion.

8. What advice would you offer someone considering this career?

In order to be a successful court reporter, you have to be very flexible: flexible in knowing that your day may never be what you expect, flexible in working longer hours/shorter hours; being asked last minute for an overnight transcript, flexible in accommodating others’ needs. As a person, we have to be very service oriented.

9. What is a common misconception people have about what you do?

When they see the steno machine, they think it is a dying career. Then they see the words appearing on the computer screen and assume that the computer is voice activated! They don’t realize that it is the court reporter inputting the shorthand, in order that it comes up clean on the computer screen for everyone to read.

10. What are your goals/dreams for the future?

  Seeing our profession continue to grow and flourish! It is wonderful to see younger women/men embracing the latest technology and being prepared to showcase their talents.

11. What else would you like people to know about what you do?

This is an amazing career. As a court reporter, you are exposed to all walks of life. You can be working with a neurosurgeon one minute, to covering international cases, corporate cases and learning about their business. You have the opportunity to take your skill with you and travel the world - if you so wish. I find with this career, every day there is something new to be educated about. In my 30+ years of court reporting, there are rare days where I am ever bored!

Teresa, thank you for giving us a taste of what it is like to be a Court Reporter!  Challenge Factory has partnered with ASAP Reporting Services to enable clients who would like to spend a day in the life of this fascinating career to do so!  Let us know if you're interested.

To read about other cool careers please visit: http://www.challengefactory.ca/career-blog