Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Legal and paralegal jobs do require training and certification because people who work in these fields handle sensitive matters. Depending on your goals, you could receive the training you need as little as one year. Typical degree and certification programs include:
- Job-specific Certificate
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Juris Doctor (Law Degree)
- Master’s Degree
- PhD
Legal jobs are continually growing and available, but job openings can become competitive when state and local budgets are cut. Many legal jobs are tied to local taxes, so be sure to continue your education and training to remain competitive in the job market.
Most jobs in the legal world take between one and three years for primary certification. A career as a lawyer can take up to seven years for complete certification and training – plus lawyers have to pass their state’s bar exam.
How to Become a Court Reporter
A career in court recording means you will create an exact transcript of the words being spoken. Although many court reporters work in actual courtrooms, they are also utilized in important meetings, anywhere that a legal transcript is required, and provide closed-captioning and real-time translation services to the hearing impaired.
Education Required to Become a Court Recorder
Most who opt for a career in court recording earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree, but a one-year program may allow one to enter the field as a novice. Because it typically takes two years to become proficient in voice-writing much training is on-the-job.
Typical courses you might take to become a court recorder are Recording Technology, Recording Procedures, Speed building, and English Composition. Because a court recording career often involves medical proceedings you will also take classes in Medical Terminology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Psychology as well as Law and Legal Terminology and Principles of Speech. The key to choosing an education program is to choose a school that has been certified by the National Court Reporters Association.
Licensure for a Court Recorder Career
Because some states require court reporters to be licensed by the state it’s important that you determine the specific requirements of the state in which you live. In some states you will be required to become a Certified Court Reporter; you may be required to become a Public Notary as well. National certification tests are also available that will show your degree of speed, accuracy, and education; national certification is accepted in lieu of state examination and licensure. Because court reporters must keep up with the latest technologies as well as maintaining their skills you will be required to obtain continuing education in legal and writing courses in order to retain your court reporter certification and licensure.
Court Reporter Salaries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that court reporter career employment is projected to grow 18 percent in the next decade. In 2008 the median annual court reporter salary was $49,710 with the lowest ten percent, reflecting entry level jobs, earning under $25,360. The top ten percent of court reporter salaries was over $83,500. Because many court reporters do freelance work to supplement their regular employment, your court reporter salary might be higher than the listed amounts. (Salary data retrieved 7/11/11)
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