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Court Reporters Stand Together In Hard Times

By: Christine Harrell

The court reporting profession has changed substantially in recent years, and not always for the better. The average court reporting agency has seen a drop in both clients and employees and it has left reporters with real concerns about the future. Good times are ahead, but reporters must be prepared to meet them.

A Changing Profession

Court reporters have watched in frustration as technology seems to make their positions obsolete. Some court systems have replaced reporters with digital recorders and it has some people doubting their future in the professions.

However evidence shows that an audio recorder is not an adequate substitute for a certified court reporter. New York learned the lesson and is desperately struggling to correct their critical shortage of reporters. Other states are still in the process of learning and it may be some time before the profession picks up again in those areas.

Add to that increasing unemployment in all industries, soaring gas prices, the struggling economy and it paints a grim picture. Is this the right time to be working for a court reporting agency? The answer is yes.

Court Reporters Change With The Times

As mentioned, courts are learning the error of their ways when trying to replace people with technology. However in some cases their learning curve seems to be frustratingly steep and a court reporting agency has to be able to survive today to reach a brighter tomorrow.

Many agencies are encouraging their staff to use this time to expand their skill sets. If you aren't certified, start working on it. If you have your RPR, congratulations - now start working on the RMR.

Look outside traditional courtroom employment. While court positions may be dwindling, the demand for closed captioning is higher than it has ever been. Even if you prefer working in a courtroom, close captioning will keep your skills sharp for when the industry turns around.

Talk to your court reporting agency about other opportunities and encourage them to expand their horizons as well.

We Must Work Together

In these dark days we must not lose sight of who we are. We are not starving dogs fighting over a bone. We are respected and certified professionals who conduct ourselves with dignity and distinction.

We are the quiet person in the corner, diligently clicking away, unnoticed among the court proceedings. But we are always there even when they don't see us, keeping the record and doing our part to keep the gears of the justice system turning. And we will still be there when the clouds part and the sun shines through again.

Your fellow court reporters are not your competition. They are your allies. We must remain united because there is strength in numbers. If you are an independent practitioner, consider joining a court reporting agency. It can be a cold world out there alone and the resources of an agency can mean the difference between survival and disaster.

About the author

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on court reporting, visit www.huseby.com/.

Article Source: http://www.articleretreat.com

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