For many, a courtroom is the last place they want to end up. Fear of unpaid parking tickets and intimidating judges leads most people to skirt around their local courthouse entirely. However, for many, the inner workings of the justice system are a fascinating field. Legal dramas and cop shows are just not capable of satisfying their curiosity any longer.
For anyone falling into the latter category, there might be no better time or greater opportunity to find employment in a courtroom as a reporter. The field is expecting a wave of retirements in the months to come, with the current average age in the profession hovering at 51 years old according to the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).
By, 2018, there are projected to be as many as 5,500 open court reporter jobs available in the U.S. While many jobs require a 4 year degree, court reporting generally only requires 2 years of inexpensive schooling. With a starting salary averaging around $40,000, many would consider it to be a fantastic alternative to a traditional 4 year degree.
More importantly the rapid typing skills necessary for a court reporter transfer well to other fields, with many court reporters finding themselves freelancing and transcribing documents for everything from business meetings to deaf studies classrooms.
The NCRA is projecting a shortage of court reporters in the years to come, meaning that job seekers looking for a new career, or for a first step into the legal field, have a fantastic opportunity to work in the courtroom alongside other legal professionals.
So speedy texters, jazz musicians, professional gamers, and anyone else with fast enough fingers, would do well to start taking steps towards becoming a court reporter.