Court reporting is a well-respected profession. Statistics reveal an anticipated projected growth in the industry of approximately 18 percent between 2008 and 2018.

The court reporting profession traces its roots to a scribe who recorded speeches on parchment in the Roman Senate. It is a profession that has soared in growth to modern times, evolving from longhand to shorthand to stenotyping to voice writing.

At a conference or deposition, the stenotypist creates a record by typing what is being spoken by the people present. Using a stenotype machine, he/she presses multiple keys to type combinations of letters. These keystrokes are electronically recorded, then translated and displayed as text. The stenotyping method takes approximately two and one-half to three years to master and advance to realtime.

The voice writer creates a record by speaking into a hand-held silencing device, repeating what is being spoken. The dialogue being repeated is not overheard by anyone in the conference room, and scrolls down the laptop screen as text. The voice writing method usually takes approximately nine months to master and advance to realtime.

Electronic reporting is another method of court reporting, using audio equipment to create a record. The equipment is monitored by an electronic reporter who takes notes to identify speakers and for playbacks, if required. Realtime reporting cannot be attained with the electronic method as transcription of the testimony is required afterwards.

The words “court reporter” brings to mind the image of a courtroom. Although today’s court reporters may choose the courtroom as their career venue, a great many prefer to work with attorneys at depositions, with executives at board meetings and at public hearings. Many court reporters specialize in assisting the hearing impaired. These CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) reporters work with hard of hearing students at high school and college classes and lectures. Others go on to become broadcast captioners, working for television networks and at sporting events.

Whether one chooses to work in a courtroom atmosphere or to enjoy the freedom of a freelancer working at various locations, employment opportunities are excellent.