Adventures in Steno: Introduction

Here begins my attempt to document my journey of exploring a career in stenography. During transcript proofreading training in 2017, I became keenly interested in what might be going on in depositions and court beyond what the written transcript could show me. I knew I wanted to hear what was said off the record, and I wanted to hear what people sounded like!
 
My interest grew even more as I began working as a proofreader and would receive notes from my clients about how the witness had a difficult accent or how the lawyer was a really fast talker. I really wanted in on that! I consider myself an inquisitive person. This curiosity sometimes borders on nosiness, to be honest, but all character qualities do seem to have both a positive and a negative expression.
 
After I began working as a full-time transcript proofreader, the next logical step for me became pursuing scoping training because I was so interested in all aspects of transcript production. I saw that scoping could include learning to read machine stenography (secret code: cool!), listening to everything that happened in the room (court or deposition), and also mastering powerful software. I adore smart technology and learning, so this training was a great fit.
 
As I gained more experience with scoping, I had exposure to a plethora of proceedings: civil trials, criminal trials, depositions, public hearings, chambers hearings, arbitrations, and other legal miscellany. I loved hearing the audio. I think accents are interesting, while many people are bothered by them. I also love dialects and the fun little oddities that come up in conversation.
 
At least one time since completing scoping training in late summer/Fall 2018, I also looked into training as a court reporter. There were a few things that put me off:

• Tuition at my local technical college (about a 35-minute drive from home) would be $21,000 over two years – or more, if I were slow.
• I was struggling with chronic pain and wasn’t sure I could get up to speed.
• I would also be responsible for buying full-license CAT software and a writer, two significant expenses.
• I wasn’t aware of online training opportunities.

 
So what’s different now?

• I’ve discovered that there are a variety of schools offering training online. Additionally, my local technical college is now online because of COVID. I could attend here but skip the commute.
• My health has significantly improved. On April 20, 2020, I began walking outside every single day. On May 20, I added a second workout (usually another walk) and now typically walk 3 – 5 miles daily. I’ve lost 25 pounds, my energy is up, and my pain/fatigue has vanished.
• I’ve discovered more places to buy used equipment and will be able to apply the purchase price of my editors’ version of CAT software to the full version when I get to that point. Meanwhile, I will be able to rent a student version of the software for only $10/month.
• I was able to borrow an older student writer from my local school to try it out.

My biggest reservation will still be my physical ability to get up to speed. I think I will have a head start, having already learned steno, being used to keyboarding every day as a scopist, and also being a lifelong pianist.
 
Stay tuned as I write about my experiences testing the waters with a free introductory class.

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