I am learning about modern-day court reporting schools and some of the options that are available for people who want to go to school.  I am interested in the schools, the students, the teachers, and school owners.

 Today I am attending the STAR midyear conference in Las Vegas.  John Wenclawski and Dave Wynne just gave a report during the Stenograph forum on their two schools, the Prince School in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Denver Academy of Court Reporting.  Both schools teach exclusively steno writers.  What is very interesting to me is the percentage of students who are online and are successful at passing tests.  In Denver, 50% of the students are online and 60% have a hybrid program with the brick-and-mortar school as well as being online which gives students more flexibility. 

 Speaking to Dave Wynne of Stenograph, I learned that their two schools, the Denver Academy of Court Reporting and the Prince School of Court Reporting each offer a 30-month program, and the students when they successfully complete the school get an Associate’s degree.  Wynne commented, “One of the biggest misconceptions is there is less interaction with an on-line school.  In reality, the teacher posts questions that every student has to answer and participate.  There is no hiding online.  Everyone does read-backs.”

 I understand that Bryan College in Los Angeles has an online program as does the Court Reporting Institute of Dallas. 

 As someone who has graduated from court reporting school, I believe the toughest part of getting certified and building speed is discipline.  YOU MUST BECOME ONE WITH THE MACHINE!  It is like being a professional piano player, tennis player, or singer.  You have to practice, practice, practice until you are almost perfect.  Giving up is not an option.  Of course, if you don’t have any natural ability, and hopefully you will know this intuitively, or you don’t have a passion for speed building or striving for perfection, you probably should not choose to be in court reporting school. 

 Periodically, I get calls or emails from people who find my name asking me if I think they should go to court reporting school.  Most of these inquiries are from complete strangers.  I always ask a litany of questions:  Have you ever taken a typing class?  Did you enjoy the class and think it was fun to get faster and try to be perfect?  Are you at all fast at typing?  Did you take piano?  Were you good at piano?  Did you enjoy the process of learning piano?  Are you a disciplined person?  Do you want to be a court reporter with all of your heart?  Do you understand you have to go to school every single day and practice every single day?  ARE YOU A DISCIPLINED PERSON?

 Now, I also get the question:  Do you think going to an online school is okay?  Are they any good?

 My answer is YES.  I believe online court reporting schools offer great opportunity especially for people who do not live near a brick-and-mortar school.  We need court reporters in our industry.  I believe the average age of a court reporter these days is 47.    We need students to have access to schools all over the country.  Being online gives you the chance to be a court reporter no matter where you live.  If I had a niece or nephew who was interested in court reporting, I would not hesitate to recommend an online school – BUT ALWAYS WITH MY WARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS IN ALL KINDS OF SCHOOLS – BE DISCIPLINED.  GO TO SCHOOL.  BE GREAT.

 I plan on interviewing some students in the upcoming weeks who are in the high speeds and going to school online.  I would love to receive Tweets about any experiences people have.

 rosalie@kramm.com

 @rosaliekramm (Twitter)

I was reading social media expert Chris Brogan’s newsletter this week, and I was particularly interested in his thoughts titled, “Opportunity Over Money.”  Chris talks about having little money in the past and trying to make a decision between going to a trade association conference or paying his mortgage, not having the cash to buy meals while traveling.  He writes, “But what I traded for that shortness of money was more opportunity. I was EVERYWHERE, and as such, I picked up experiences, picked up clients, picked up future relationships.”  Chris goes on to comment, “That’s a currency exchange.”

I agree 100% with Chris Brogan.  Going places, doing things, meeting people is a person’s best bet for success.  Learning your craft and being great at your profession is a huge part of the puzzle.  Knowing people and surrounding yourself with talent will not only make you money, but give you energy and lead you towards success.  Believing you can’t afford to have a reliable, good working steno machine, updated CAT software, and a solid computer, will lead to disaster.  Not taking the opportunity to go to national court reporting conferences and conventions, your state court reporting conferences and conventions, or if you are so lucky to have a local association, their meetings and conferences, you are missing out on a currency exchange that is priceless. 

Thinking as a court reporter, the “currency exchange” that Chris talks about is bankable.  Honing your skills and becoming a great reporter will bring you money.  I guarantee it.  Staying stagnant and doing the same thing, not ever attempting to be better, is what you might be known for in the future.  Your moniker and reputation follow you around forever.

Let’s all look for opportunities to be EVERYWHERE and meet GREAT PEOPLE.  I promise your life will be better for it.

rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm

Between running a court reporting firm, starting a new business, being a working court reporter, and keeping on task with my social media goals, my life sometimes feels a little out of control.  I believe one of the keys to success is being organized.  I have been reading some blogs and articles on organization and have found a common thread through all of them:  Getting organized and staying organized relieves stress and clears your mind for creative thoughts.

Most of what I have discovered in my readings is obvious and not earth-shattering, and yet it is good to be reminded of what we can do to get organized.

Here are the steps:

1.  Decide if you are more comfortable with a paper system or digital – don’t go back and forth.  Choose a method that is easy for you to work with. Don’t fight it.
2.  Create 3 lists:  one that is your “to do” list, tasks that you are to complete; a “waiting for” list for tasks you are waiting for others to do; and a “someday/maybe” list, a place to remember new ideas and dreams
3. Finish one task before you start a new one.  Distractions are the quickest way to inefficiency. 
4. Start each task with an action word, for example, Call…, Present…, Drive to…  It gets your brain to start thinking about taking action
5. Organize paperwork:  Buy bins and folders and label everything.  Organize your paperwork by date to be completed or organize everything by project.  Either way, have a place for everything on your desk and in your drawers.
6. Dedicate time every morning or end of your workday to read your lists.  It will keep the tasks top of mind and keep you focused.
7. In the morning when you get to work, pick 3 tasks you need to accomplish that day.  Check them off when they are completed.  Most days become chaotic, and you might not finish your list.  When you get the 3 tasks completed, you will feel a sense of accomplishment. 
8. Don’t let the lists run your life.  You decide what you are going to do and when.
9. Be sure to put exercising or enjoying life on your list.  I have a habit of going, going, going, and forget to stop and breathe and enjoy the sky or a meadow lark’s song. (I didn’t read this in an article or blog.  I am throwing this one in because I believe it is really important.)

rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm (Twitter)

My husband ordered a really great movie last week from NetFlix, “Defiance.”  I almost didn’t watch the movie because the beginning was very violent, but I couldn’t turn away from the story.  The movie touched me on many different levels.   The story of the human spirit and strength inspires me.

A key part of the movie was the importance of community, how people need each other and need to work together to get things accomplished and survive.   I believe court reporters need each other to get things accomplished and to survive.  In looking at the movie and court reporting as an analogy, I do not in any way wish to diminish how difficult the people’s lives were in the history of the world. 

The world is in an interesting state.  Doctors, lawyers, and even court reporters are becoming commodities in the eyes of many corporations.  Doctors are not able to spend the time they might need to spend with a patient or prescribe diagnostic tests they deem are necessary.  Lawyers are being told how much they are allowed to bill out for a case, their hours audited by insurance companies, and are told what vendors to use, and price, not service, is the only factor considered.

Many of the great professions are under attack.  I believe the only way to fight back is to join the associations that are battling to maintain the greatness of our professions. 

As a community we have power.  I am a proud member of NCRA, DRA and STAR.  I am also a Rotarian.  (The Rotary community is working to eradicate polio worldwide.)  Participating in continuing education is a way you can strengthen our profession.  I am sad and get angry when I hear so many reporters say they cannot afford to join any court reporting association.  Read the mission statement of the association in your state.  Their goal is to keep your job safe and give you the knowledge you need to be great. 

We need to pay attention and be strong.  The corporations are chipping away at us trying to define us as a commodity, “every court reporter is the same, whether a steno reporter or E.R. facilitator” 

I urge all court reporters to join a court reporting association whether it be state or national.  Keep up with continuing education, even if your state license doesn’t require it.  Watch the movie, “Defiance.”  There are many lessons to be learned from the film.  Together we will survive, move forward, and be great.

Rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm (Twitter)