“Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it”. British journalist Katherine Whitehorn wasn’t stating the impossible. It can take a bit of personal digging but we all have the potential to love our jobs. In fact, talk to any Miami court reporter and you’ll see just how much they enjoy their careers.
Never Get Bored as a Miami Court Reporter
Author and guru coach Tim Gallwey defined something called the work triangle to understand how we find fulfillment in our careers. In summary, you want a combination of performance, learning, and enjoyment. In other words, you need to have a sense that you’re leveraging your skills to produce some good quality work whilst having fun and learning.
How does this work for a Miami court reporter? In essence, every day is different. One day might be transcribing for a pharmaceutical dispute while another day could be recording a medical malpractice case. In some cases, a Miami court reporter might also be recording a deposition with celebrities that’s also on the front page of the media.
Let’s not forget that these days a Miami court reporter has an array of digital tools to work with. Their ultimate responsibility is to transcribe accurately and efficiently what goes on in court. They do this by taking shorthand notes on a stenograph machine.
Additionally, they might have a backup audio recording or even a stenomask connected to computer-aided transcription (CAT) software. The process is to speak into the mask and the computer translates the reporter’s voice into a written document. This also means that attorneys can follow in real-time.
No digital technology can surpass a Miami court reporter’s accuracy. Reporters also support the logistics of proceedings and are often called in to swear in witnesses. Their skills are in high demand partly because courts will always need proceedings to be recorded. Partly also because many reporters have reached retirement age and are leaving the industry.
Overall, as a Miami court reporter, you can craft a rewarding career:
- Esteemed officer of the court
- Continuous learning
- Supportive and passionate colleagues
Esteemed officer of the court
As a Miami court reporter, your written and communication skills are critical for delivering transcripts. You also play an important role in ensuring witnesses know where to go on the day of the proceeding. Many people often also need some coaching to speak slowly and clearly which again, court reporters help with.
Continuous learning
The intricacies of the law will always keep you learning. A Miami court reporter is constantly being exposed to new areas as well as a variety of industries. In some cases, reporters also choose to develop a specialty such as covering medical proceedings.
Supportive and passionate colleagues
The fun part is that there’s a strong network of reporters both online and offline. Reporters enjoy asking each other questions and sharing the latest technology updates for their equipment.
Another aspect of enjoying life as a Miami court reporter is that you know that your work makes an important contribution. After all, the law keeps us together as a society and you can be part of that.
Are you Suited to Becoming a Miami Court Reporter?
Court reporters are in high demand and you can expect salaries averaging $60,000 and going beyond $100,000 in some states. Moreover, with digital court reporting now a common approach, you are also flexible to work where you want. Some reporters certify in more than one state and can work remotely with a wider range of clients.
The question is whether you would fit this career. So, do you enjoy the written word? Are you passionate about attention to detail? Does legal and technical terminology pique your curiosity? If yes, then becoming a Miami court reporter could be the answer.
It’s worth also pointing out that, like most jobs, there are usually tight deadlines most days. You often also find yourself sitting for long periods of time. All office workers have these challenges but the advantage of court reporting is that you can work remotely if you wish. That means you can also develop your own freelancing business and work with the clients you choose. The other benefit is that you manage your time and your breaks so that it works for your lifestyle.
Not everyone wants to start their career freelancing but again, with digital court reporting, you can agree with your employer on how to work best for both your needs. The point is that there are options for you to be flexible which not all careers offer.
Naturally, your skills can be developed but it’s also helpful to have at least an interest in the following:
- The complexities and intricacies of the legal system
- Grammar and attention to detail
- Liaising with a variety of people
The complexities and intricacies of the legal system
A Miami court reporter must stay impartial and unbiased otherwise they could jeopardize the case. Nevertheless, the more you’re interested in what you’re transcribing, the easier it is to avoid mistakes. If you too are fascinated by the law and how it shapes human enterprise, you’ll excel as a court reporter.
Grammar and attention to detail
Perhaps you’re a language perfectionist and you get absorbed by grammatical details? It can be highly satisfying to transcribe and then edit a perfectly written document knowing that it will support the attorneys for their case.
Liaising with a variety of people
Last but not least, reporters liaise with witnesses and attorneys to make sure proceedings start on time. You might also coordinate exhibits and room bookings, including remote conference calls. It’s like putting together a jigsaw puzzle of teamwork and collaboration with you at the centre.
Final Recommendations for Court Reporting as a Career
As a Miami court reporter, you are constantly learning and no two days are the same. Moreover, you have a wide network of industry colleagues both online and offline to make this a fun and supportive career.
Court reporters enjoy the attention to detail, legal intricacies, and the written word. You’ll be trained but if that appeals to you then court reporting could be your perfect choice.
