Laura’s High School Graduation

 

My niece Laura graduated last week from Our Lady of Peace (OLP) High School.  I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Senior Awards Ceremony in the morning with my brother George.  The awards were given out in the school gymnasium.  The seniors all wore white caps and gowns.  What struck me about the ceremony was all of the different talents were in that room. 

 

There was Sammy Silva getting an award for being an athlete, now the California 1600 meter state champion.  There was another student getting an award for acting, another student getting an award for genetics.  My own Laura Gros got an award for art.  I was so proud of all these young women.  It brought tears to my eyes (how embarrassing).

 

Sitting there on a wooden bleacher, I started thinking back to my high school class.  It doesn’t seem that long ago I was at an awards ceremony at Helix High School for my senior year (1978).  It made me wonder, as a person gets farther away from high school, does a person embrace their unique talents and nurture them, or does a person become complacent and tired from day-to-day living and let their talents seep away? 

 

Hopefully, we are smart enough and lucky enough to find careers that exploit our talents.  Parents, teachers, and mentors are the key to help steer and support young people towards their destiny. 

 

When I hear someone say, “I hate my life,” I have to think that something happened to that person along the way where they didn’t get a chance to grow and flourish in what they innately do best.  The good news is, it is never too late.  A person’s talent is theirs forever and ever.  No one can take it away.

 

I wish for the OLP class of 2009 to find joy in their individuality and for each of them to live a life in which their talent is like a huge fire with flames leaping out.  It takes energy, desire, and commitment. 

 

As a matter of fact, I wish for everyone on the planet to be “on fire.”

 

rosalie@kramm.com

Top 10 Things Court Reporters Looking For Work Must Do

1.    Have an updated resume – this may sound obvious.  I get about two or three resumes a week, another two or three cold calls, and some email blasts.  I am constantly surprised how casual reporters are looking for either staff positions or overflow work.  Many of the people who contact me have no resume and expect to be put on my list just because they called.  At the very least I would like to see a resume with a name, CSR number, address, and places the reporters have worked.  It would be great to know what CAT system you are on, which version, and know what machine you are writing on.  I want reporters with great equipment working my clients.

 

2.    Don’t call or email me and the first thing you ask for are our rates we pay reporters.  I had someone call today and said, “I am moving to San Diego and am calling court reporting firms to find out what they pay.  What are your rates?”  I didn’t even get a “Hello” or “My name is…”  This person will never work for my firm.  I wouldn’t want her in front of my clients ever.

 

3.    Be a member of a local or state association.  I want to know that the reporters who work my clients are proud to be reporters and keep up-to-date about what is happening in the field.  Not being able to afford membership is no excuse.

 

4.    If a firm is not “hiring,” and you are a brand new CSR, but you really want to work with that firm, ask to sit in with some of the seasoned reporter(s) or the owner.  Be available and have a positive attitude.  Be grateful and happy that you are doing something rather than just sitting home.

 

5.    Be available, available, available.  Tell calendar/scheduling persons for different firms you are available to do anything last minute.  Take a shower when you wake up, get dressed, and be ready to go on a moment’s notice.

 

6.    Accept that things are slow.  It is what it is.  I understand people are frustrated, scared, and worried.  It is okay to state the obvious, that you are slow and need work, but then stop.  Don’t talk too much about the past and how unfair everything is.  Have a mindset that you are going to be working again soon.

 

7.    Read.  After you shower, get dressed, and are waiting for the phone call, read the newspaper, create a list of proper names you can put into your main dictionary of banks, national and local companies that are in the news.  Keep focusing on being better than ever.

 

8.     Sharpen your skills.  If you write realtime, work on speed and accuracy.  Practice, practice, practice.

 

9.    Have a Blackberry or PDA in which you can receive email.  Many firms these days send out email blasts for reporters, and the first one to email back gets the job.

 

10.  Attitude is everything.  Things are going to get better.  We are going to be super busy in the future.  Be a better reporter when things turn around.  Don’t be stagnant.  This is the best profession ever.

 

rosalie@kramm.com