The JCR recently asked members on social media: “Who (or what!) inspired you to pursue this profession? Was it a family member? A mentor? Or maybe just a love for fast fingers and fierce focus?” A little push in the right direction took these people a long way.
“My sister-in-law was a freelance reporter. Plus, I don’t like math!” Lisa Conley Yungblut, RDR, CRR, CRC — Cincinnati, Ohio
“Second reason, to always be able to support myself. No. 1, total fascination with that little black machine, from the first time I saw a class of students at a local college. Hooked still 45+ years later.” Kim Falgiani, RDR, CRR, CRC — Warren, Ohio
“I had been a transcriptionist for a few years for several reporters. One day I went to turn in a transcript and asked the firm owner how much I would have earned had I been the reporter. It was substantially more. I found a great, very inexpensive school about 90 minutes away and commuted there for three years. Best decision ever!” Tracy Osborn Barksdale, RPR — Sioux Falls, S.D.
You can answer this and other questions on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
“I was a whiz at Gregg shorthand. My teacher recommended stenography as a career choice. I had no idea what it was. I applied to Bryant College, enrolling in the business program. I got a card in the mail with the machine on it. I showed my teacher (Mrs. Coppola). She said ‘That’s it! You should try it!’ I finished the program a year early with my degree and the minor in stenography! Forty-three years later, I still love my career! After a divorce, I raised my three kids on my own – kept our home, my girls competed in equestrian, my son played hockey, and they all went to private school K through college! I worked hard, but this career rocks! Now I’m traveling and enjoying life — no intention to retire any time soon!” Darlene Lamoth Coppola, RMR, CRR — Johnston, R.I.
“In 8th grade, we had to complete two ‘career reports.’ I wrote a report on court reporting and a report on lawyers. I took Gregg shorthand in high school and was fascinated with shorthand so I decided I needed to learn how to write on that little machine instead so I could be fast! I graduated from high school early and decided to pursue the court reporting path. I still have my handwritten report about court reporting from 47 years ago!” Sandra Gravelle Smith, RPR, CRC — Escanaba, Mich.
“A presentation senior year in high school from the court reporting school I attended. That was it …” Rich Germosen, FAPR, RDR, CRR — North Brunswick, N.J.
We’d love to hear your story, too! Follow NCRA on Facebook (/NCRAfb) and Instagram (@ncraofficial) and turn on notifications so you won’t miss our questions. We post new prompts a couple of times a month, so there are plenty of chances to join the conversation and connect with fellow members!
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