Court reporters
are one form of transcriptionists who use machines.
Transcribing from electronic, stenographic or audio-based machines is challenging work. Transcribers, including court reporters and medical transcriptionists, have to multi-task most of the time. On top of that, they need solid educations in the written word as well as a number of natural strengths. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, court reporters undergo an average of 33 months of education learning to do their jobs. This detailed work requires skill honing in order to achieve success.
Grammar And Spelling
Look at the contents of machine transcription courses and you'll find significant attention given to spelling and grammar. Transcriptionists don't just move words from machine recordings to paper or computer, but create important documents used for legal and medical purposes. Precision and accuracy are absolutely critical.
Multi-tasking
Whether you're recording data as a court reporter does when in session or you're taking data off a machine and creating the final transcript, you have to do multiple things at a time. That means listening and typing in most cases. For many people, this can be a challenge as it involves using two different communication skills simultaneously. While people can certainly work to develop the skill, its root is largely innate.
Technological Savvy
While stenography machines are far from the cutting edge of technology, they are a unique and specific type of instrument that many transcriptionists must master. In today's transcription environment, digital and audio transcription devices are also common. As a transcriptionist you may need to become comfortable with any and all of these technologies--which means feeling at least proficient with operating digital technology.
Detailed
Besides performing actual transcriptions, transcriptionists must review their work, proofread and revise mistakes. This means having a keen eye for detail and being able to proof your own work--which can be challenging. Developing a detailed eye is one of the things on which certification and vocational courses focus.
Tags: court reporters, transcriptionists must
