Northern Virginia site offers free NCRA A to Z® Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program
Learn more about starting a lucrative career in court reporting or captioning
without needing a four-year degree
RESTON, Va., Jan. 13, 2020 — The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), the country’s leading organization representing stenographic court reporters and captioners, is hosting a free, six-week, A to Z® Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program in Springfield, Va., beginning Jan. 27. A career in court reporting or captioning does not require a four-year college degree and offers unlimited employment potential nationwide and abroad.
NCRA’s A to Z Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program is an introductory course in stenographic theory. It provides participants with the opportunity to learn the basics of writing on a steno machine and to discover if a career in the court reporting or captioning field is right for them. The timing of the course offering is perfect for high school seniors who are still considering what career path to follow upon graduation in the spring. The career path is also a viable one for military members post service, their spouses, career changers, or college graduates who decide their chosen field was not the right one for them.
“Imagine a career with a ringside seat to all the action. From capturing the official record in high-profile criminal trials, speeches on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, to major sporting events or breaking news, a career in court reporting or captioning can lead to unlimited opportunities,” said Cynthia Bruce Andrews, the NCRA Senior Director, Education & Certifications .
“If you’re looking for a career that is on the cutting edge of technology, offers the opportunity for work at home or abroad, like to write, enjoy helping others, and are fast with your fingers, then the fields of court reporting and captioning are careers you should explore,” she added.
Participants in the NCRA A to Z program will be taught how to write the basic alphabet, numbers, and some simple words on real stenography machines by volunteer professionals working in the court reporting and captioning arenas. These program leaders will also share insights into the many aspects of court reporting and captioning that make it a viable profession, including good salaries, flexibility, interesting venues, and the increasing demand for more reporters and captioners to meet the growing number of employment opportunities available in the field.
The NCRA A to Z Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program is being held Jan. 27 through March 2, at 6:30 p.m., at 6820 Commercial Dr., Springfield, Va.
For more information or to register, contact Cynthia Bruce Andrews at candrews@ncra.org or (703) 584-9058, or Rosalynn ‘Roz’ DiBartolo at roz.dibo@gmail.com or (703) - 870-0780.
The court reporting and captioning professions offer viable career choices that do not require a four-year college degree and yet offer good salaries, flexible schedules, and interesting venues. There is currently an increasing demand for more reporters and captioners to meet the growing number of employment opportunities available nationwide and abroad. Court reporters and captioners rely on the latest in technology to use stenographic machines to capture the spoken word and translate it into written text in real time. These professionals work both in and out of the courtroom recording legal cases and depositions, providing live captioning of events, and assisting members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities with gaining access to information, entertainment, educational opportunities, and more.
To arrange an interview with a working court reporter or captioner, or to learn more about the lucrative and flexible court reporting or captioning professions and the many job opportunities currently available, contact pr@ncra.org.
The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has been internationally recognized for promoting excellence among those who capture and convert the spoken word to text for more than 100 years. NCRA is committed to supporting its more than 14,000 members in achieving the highest level of professional expertise with educational opportunities and industry-recognized court reporting, educator, and videographer certification programs. NCRA impacts legislative issues and the global marketplace through its actively involved membership.
Forbes has named court reporting as one of the best career options that do not require a traditional four-year degree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the court reporting field is expected to grow by 7 percent through the year 2028, faster than the projected employment growth across all occupations. According to 247/WallSt.com, the court reporting profession ranks sixth out of 25 careers with the lowest unemployment rate, just 0.7 percent. Career information about the court reporting profession—one of the leading career options that do not require a traditional four-year degree—can be found at NCRA DiscoverSteno.org.
As a charitable organization, the Foundation relies almost solely on tax-deductible donations, the majority of which come from NCRA members and associated businesses. To donate, or for information on NCRF’s programs, visit NCRA/Foundation.org, or call 800/272-6272, ext. 126.