Court reporting positions across the country sit vacant. That’s not a secret. The National Court Reporters Association estimated 5,500 empty jobs in 2018. As this shortage grows, it’s important to look at the schooling available for court reporting.
In Iowa, Newton’s DMACC campus offers a court reporting program that is thriving. I have served on the advisory board since the inception of the program. This role includes evaluating the program and enrollment numbers, as well as giving my perspective as a tenured court reporting professional. Dr. Patricia Ziegler is the program chair and a wonderful professor. She first taught court reporting at AIB and transitioned to DMACC’s program after a time in St. Louis.
As many of the Susan Frye Court Reporting staff will attest, the schooling for court reporting is flexible and can be completed at a rapid pace or fit into a busy schedule. This is a two-year degree with a promising career outlook. The average annual salary is $62,000, and the career field is expected to grow by 14 percent by 2020. Job security!
In addition to serving on the advisory board, I mentor students each semester. It’s beneficial to have someone in the career field to ask questions of, job shadow, and receive sage advice. This is a fun experience for me, and it’s rewarding to see the students grow throughout their schooling. I’m there as a mentor to lend an ear or help them through a tough hurdle. After all, I’ve been in their shoes.
I will always be an advocate for court reporting as a career. I can attest to the fulfilling nature of the field, and I believe many court reporters would echo my sentiments. The flexibility of the job, the varied opportunities, and the job security offer benefits that are difficult to find in other fields! If you are interested in DMACC’s Court Reporting program, head to their online catalog to learn more about the program, cost, scholarships, and how to apply. Also, feel free to contact me directly by phone or email, 515-284-1972 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
