As the daughter of a court reporter, Samantha Veare of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, knew that her mother worked in the courts, but not much else. Now that she is about to graduate from the College of Court Reporting and test for the RSR and RPR in the coming months, Veare says that court reporting has become her biggest passion. She’s excited to travel with her mother next week to her first NCRA Conference & Expo in Bellevue, Wash.
UTS | Your mother is a court reporter. How did that affect your decision to go into the profession?
SV | Growing up, my mom was always there to support me and my siblings with every achievement and goal that we had. I realized I want that for my future as well. She opened my eyes to the world of court reporting, and I am very grateful she shared this amazing profession with me, as it is now my biggest passion.
UTS | What do you love about stenography?
SV | I have always loved learning, and one thing about this career is that we are constantly learning more about our software, hardware, and the evolving world around us. Every day is different than the last. I add something new to my dictionary or learn a new legal phrase. No day is the same in this profession, and I love it!
UTS | What is the scariest thing about court reporting school?
SV | I think, for most people — at least for me —the scariest thing is not knowing when you’re going to be done with school. The timeline is so different for each and every person. But at the end of the day, even if you don’t know when you’re going to pass that test, you know once you do it will be beyond worth it.
UTS | You are heading to NCRA Conference & Expo next week. What are you most looking forward to?
SV | Going to the conference is going to be such a great experience! I have been an online student for the whole time I’ve attended court reporting school. With that said, being there in person will allow me to make new connections and new friends that I don’t get the opportunity to being online. I’m especially excited to attend with my mom; it will make this experience much more special knowing we get to share it together.
UTS | Do you see any specific challenges ahead for the profession of court reporting?
SV | I think we all know one of the challenges is going to be advancements in technology, especially in AI. As court reporters, we need to work alongside this and not be scared of it. Growing up alongside technology has made me aware that if you work with it instead of against it, life and tasks become easier. Technology is a well-trained tool, but it can never replace the skill, judgment, and accuracy that a well-trained court reporter brings to every job.
UTS | Any secrets to passing those speeds?
SV | As a student at 225 wpm, the best piece of advice is consistency. I know everyone says this, but it is very true. Don’t just get on your machine every day. Start a timer when you begin and stop it when you finish typing. I can guarantee you that you are doing a lot less typing than you think you are; at least I was. Once I started timing every single little thing I did, I improved drastically!
UTS | Where do you see yourself in five years? What is your dream job?
SV | In five years, I would love to be working in federal court. I think, for the first couple years, I would love to stick to freelance work, such as depositions, but eventually I do want to settle down a little bit more and find a judge to work for once I’m more confident being in a courtroom.
UTS | Anything else you’d like to share?
SV | To my fellow students: I know it seems like a long road ahead, but it flies by quickly, and every day you are on the cusp of achieving something, so be proud of that! Don’t be scared to ask questions to your teachers and, quite literally, anyone in the legal world. You would be surprised at how many people love court reporters and are willing to give you great advice!
Samantha Veare is one of 10 winners of the 2026 Christine Phipps Family Foundation Conference Travel Awards.
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