There are four items to consider when choosing a court reporting college: accreditation, faculty, specialized programs, and reputation or ranking. This type of school is usually organized within a large community or career college. Upon completion of court reporting college, graduates can look for employment opportunities as a court reporter, court transcriber, or legal secretary. The role of a court reporter is to use information about the court and legal system to provide context to legal affairs stories.
Court reporting college is ideal for people who are excellent communicators, enjoy working toward a deadline, and are naturally outgoing. Candidates who report the greatest satisfaction with court reporting college are focused on a specific career path, and have a clear understanding of the skills required to be an effective court reporter. These skills include being tenacious, dedicated, and a strong personal commitment to accuracy.
When looking for a court reporting college, the first item to check is the accreditation status. An accredited school has been reviewed by an independent third party. This is especially important for a court reporter, as many people transition away from this type of career into other kinds of reporting after eight to ten years. Courses from an accredited school can be transferred to other post-secondary institutions. Only accredited schools are able to offer students access to government student aid programs.
Review the qualifications of the faculty or course instructors with care. Most schools post biographies of their course instructors on their websites. Review this information and look for both academic credentials and working experience. Look for relevant career experience as a court reporter. Many people take certification in adult education as part of a career transition away from court reporting into teaching.
Look for specialized programs or internship programs. These connections provide relevant, up-to-date training and opportunities for job placements. Take advantage and learn as much as possible from these programs. They will provide the ability to make important connections and obtain references that will be very useful in your employment search.
The reputation of the school is very important when choosing the best court reporting college. Talk with the local court officers to get a sense of the reputation of the school. Ask the admissions counselor about speaking with former graduates or employers. Discuss the quality of education they received at the school, the relevance, and any other information they are willing to share. Be sure to thank them for their time at the end of the interview.
