A court reporter is one of the jobs that is most likely to continue, even in an economic downturn. Every court case and legal hearing needs to have a record made of what was said and done during the meeting and it's the job of the reporter to keep track of everything. The records need to stand up in court proceedings and it's necessary to have them be very accurate and carefully transcribed.

Where to Work

Once you have the educational credentials required, you will need to work. There are a number of areas where a court reporter is needed and not just during trials. There are a lot of legal meetings and hearings that are also required to be recorded for legal reasons, which necessitate hiring a reporter who is skilled at the job.

Since there are constant trials, meetings and other types of events that require the services of a reporter, there is usually quite a bit of work available and according to the Labor Board, the number of jobs will continue to grow at a fairly steady rate.

Getting an Education

In order to land this type of job, you do need to be educated in specific areas. It's important to find out the requirements before you apply for a job, as the standards vary from state to state.

The majority of court reporters use stenographs, shorthand machines that allow the operator to type very quickly by pressing multiple keys at the same time. These devices are not intuitive, however, so training is required. Stenography training usually takes 3 years to complete. However, there are newer technologies that include a recording mask where the reporter speaks into a special mask that contains mics and describes or repeats everything that is going on in the room. This is later transcribed, either by a human or by a computer. Either way, training is still required.

In some states, it is required to become a certified court reporter or a notary public. Each of these also requires some studying, but the requisites vary from place to place. In some areas, you can do the studying at home and then take the test at school, it is worth checking into your options before committing to one option.

Depending on your state's requirements, you may spend anywhere from 2-4 years studying and getting certified before being able to work in this field. Be sure to find out exactly what the requirements are, as you may be able to drastically reduce that time simply by crossing the state line.

Becoming a court reporter is not something you can do on a whim. It requires knowledge of the equipment you will be using, the ability to listen and transcribe in real time and a dedication to accuracy and time efficiency. While this may not be the career for some people, it can be an excellent one for those interested in criminal justice and law.