Here in the middle of the year it’s time to make some resolutions about our jobs. Normally people do this at the beginning of the year but any time is a good time to take stock of our lives and make changes. So what can Huseby court reporters do to become better professionals?
Investigate Realtime and Other Technologies
Imagine what it must have been like in the days when court reporters took courtroom testimony using shorthand. The advent of the steno machine must have seemed miraculous. Today we see the traditional steno machine giving way to realtime computer aided translation and other technologies.
Technology changes so fast today that the revolutionary becomes commonplace overnight and court reporters unfamiliar with the latest developments may find that they have lost their competitive edge. We know how easy it is to get comfortable with a certain way of doing things, but these new court reporting technologies aren’t just fads. They assist us in our jobs and take much of the burden off. More important, clients are starting to insist on reporters who know CAT and realtime so those who don’t know them may find demand dropping off.
Are You Certified?
Huseby encourages our reporters to pursue NCRA certification and our clients appreciate our team of certified court reporters. It doesn’t have to end with one certification. Once you get the RPR it’s time to start on the RMR or look at one of the other certifications like Certified Realtime Reporter.
Certification isn’t just a symbol. Getting certified is hard and reporters who pursue the credentials become better at their duties. We are pushed past our limits and discover we can achieve the seemingly impossible speed and accuracy goals required.
In addition to certification, stay educated on all aspects of the profession. We keep an eye on the industry to let our reporters know about upcoming changes, but you might see things we don’t. Simple changes in local laws could end up having widespread effects on the industry.
Be a Court Reporting Activist
It’s surprising how many legal professionals don’t understand what we do. The image of court reporters as glorified tape recorders is still in the mind of many people out there. We are in the best position to educate them about our contributions.
We encourage Huseby court reporters to take time to form relationships with the courtroom staff including the attorneys and judges. The teamwork these bonds promote makes it easier for all of us to do our jobs plus it gives us the opportunity to educate. As we discuss courtroom matters with the other professionals in the room, they slowly start to realize just how much is involved in creating the perfect transcripts they take for granted.
No matter how you decide to develop your career, anything you do makes you better at the job and keeps you from getting into a rut.
